The New York Islanders dealt Josh Bailey and a 2026 second-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for future considerations, the clubs announced Thursday.
The Blackhawks placed Bailey on unconditional waivers for purposes of a buyout shortly after acquiring him, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. If he clears, he'll become an unrestricted free agent.
Bailey is entering the final season of a six-year, $30-million deal he signed with the Islanders in February 2018. Here's how a buyout impacts the Blackhawks' books for the next two seasons, per CapFriendly:
| Season | Initial cap hit | Buyout cap hit |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | $5M | $2.667M |
| 2024-25 | $0 | $1.167M |
The Canadian forward, who'll turn 34 in early October, had played his entire 15-year career with New York.
The Isles drafted him ninth overall in 2008, and he never quite lived up to his potential. Bailey collected eight goals and 17 assists over 64 games this past season.
