Like it or not, Josh Bailey is an Islanders Hall of Famer

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Josh Bailey (Wikimedia Commons)

Josh Bailey has been one of the most enigmatic Islanders in the franchise’s 50-year history — one who has divided a fan base and often reduced irrational adults down to the equivalent of petulant children arguing over what their favorite flavor of ice cream is. 

One corner simply looks at the stat sheet, which in sports is often the great equalizer. Drafted ninth overall in 2008, he never developed into the top-line forward that came with initial expectations. He eclipsed the 50-point mark just three times in 15 seasons, averaged 38.6 points per year, and never scored 20 goals. He wasn’t overly physical or aggressive and he shied away from shooting.

But the stat sheet can only take you so far when it comes to Bailey, who is certainly worthy of one day being inducted into the Islanders’ Hall of Fame regardless of what the numbers suggest. 

While some will use the compiling argument when pointing at his 394 assists which rank fourth in franchise history and his 580 points which rank seventh, there is an accomplishment in simply remaining with the organization for as long as he did. Only the legendary Bryan Trottier and Denis Potvin played more games for the Islanders than Bailey’s 1,057  — and he experienced the entire gamut of success (and lack thereof) with the organization. 

Missing the playoffs in each of his first four seasons with some abysmal clubs, Bailey made the playoffs seven times in the following 11 years while playing a major role in some of the most successful Islanders teams since the dynasty years. 

He scored the overtime winner in Game 1 of the 2019 first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Nassau Coliseum — the first playoff game in the Islanders’ old home since 2015 after its failed move to Brooklyn. His goal laid the groundwork for just the team’s second…