The New York Islanders and Joshua Bailey will begin contract negotiations soon, according to ESPN New York's Katie Strang.
Bailey is scheduled to be a restricted free agent this summer. The former first-round pick never really lived up to expectations, failing to surpass 35 points in his five seasons with the Isles. Still, Bailey should get a decent raise from the $1.3 million he made last year. The former Barrie Colt remains one of the Isles' young building blocks and there's no question the team would like to have him back next season assuming Bailey's camp is reasonable.

The Islanders are a confident group, but know that means nothing if they don't win.
Down 2-1 in the series entering a home tilt against the Penguins, the Islanders know they're close. "If you're satisfied with just being able to compete, that's a recipe for losing,'' Josh Bailey said. "We're not here to try and hang with them and go home having put up a good fight. We're here to win.''

Josh Bailey had a solid 2013 season.
Bailey had 11 goals and 19 points in 38 games, mostly due to his superb finish to the season. He scored six goals and four registered assists in 13 April games to help propel the Islanders into the playoffs. Bailey isn't likely to ever be a top-tier scorer, but he has developed into a complimentary piece for the Islanders.

Joshua Bailey scored twice in the Islanders' 2-1 win Thursday night.
Mark Streit registered his 17th and 18th assists of the season. Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo each recorded an assist for the Islanders.

The Islanders lost their third straight game in the third period against the Penguins on Friday.
It was the team's third straight loss after having been tied or ahead after two periods. The Isles, who lost 4-2 after entering the period tied 2-2, are 1-13-1 when they score two or fewer games. "Obviously, we would've liked a better third period," Islanders wing Josh Bailey said. "I don't think we think about it any differently. You not always going to play a perfect game, but we've got to find a way to get two points."

Joshua Bailey produced a goal and an assist in a 5-3 loss to Ottawa Tuesday.
He snapped a three-game pointless drought with the outburst. Bailey has just three goals and seven points in 19 games since missing the start of the season because of a knee injury. Kyle Okposo collected two assists in the match, while Keith Aucoin and Lubomir Visnovsky scored the club's other markers.

The Islanders are 2-9-1 at home this season.
It's easily the worst record in the NHL. Its a good sign for a young team to sport a good away record (6-3-1), but you cannot let your own building be an easy one to play in. "We're not making things easy on ourselves," said Josh Bailey. "When we play as well as we do at times, the rest of it is pretty frustrating because we know what we're capable of."

Joshua Bailey skated with Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo during Wednesday's practice.
The three of them played well together at the end of the 2011-12 campaign and they'll likely stay intact for the start Thursday's match versus the Rangers. Bailey has one assist in two games since returning to the lineup last Saturday from a knee injury.

Josh Bailey is expected to make his season debut Saturday against the Sabres.
The 23-year-old has missed the Islanders' first 10 games because of a knee injury. He had 13 goals and 32 points last season.

Joshua Bailey (knee) will probably play on Saturday.
Just keep in mind that he's still not expected to return for Thursday's contest. He has already missed the Islanders' first nine games.

Joshua Bailey (knee) won't return for Thursday's game against the Rangers.
However, it is being projected that he should be available on Saturday when the Islanders host the Buffalo Sabres. Bailey hasn't played yet this season because of a knee injury that he sustained while playing overseas during the lockout.

Joshua Bailey (knee) was on the ice Sunday.
Bailey isn't expected to play against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, but he might be back Thursday. He has already missed the Islanders first eight games this season.

Joshua Bailey (knee) will likely be able to practice with his teammates sometime this week.
He has been skating with team skills coordinator Bernie Cassell and when he's ready to join the Islanders he will be removed from the team's suspended list. Bailey was injured while playing overseas during the lockout, which led to his suspension.

Joshua Bailey (knee) hopes to start skating on Monday.
Bailey is still probably at least a week away from returning to the New York Islanders' lineup. He had 13 goals and 32 points in 80 games last season.

The New York Islanders on Tuesday suspended Joshua Bailey (knee surgery) and Jesse Joensuu (groin) for getting injured while playing overseas during the lockout.
The Isles said both players will be reinstated once they pass their physicals, which in Bailey's case could be a while. This makes the Islanders the second team to take such action, following the Panthers. The NHLPA can't be happy about this and it wouldn't shock us in the least if they had something to say.

Joshua Bailey is not currently at camp because of arthroscopic knee surgery.
There isn't a timetable available for his return. Bailey played six games with the Bietigheim Steelers in Germany's second division during the lockout, where he had 11 points.

If his work in Germany's second league is any indication, Josh Bailey could have quite the time in the NHL this season.
He had almost two points per game, with three goals and eight assists for 11 points in six games. He didn't put up eye-popping numbers with the New York Islanders last season, but some pointed out that his season really took off when he switched to left wing. Some - especially Isles fans eager to add a member at a low price - might want to consider him a very late-round sleeper for that reason.