After a lengthy professional career in North America, forward Justin Bailey is taking his talents overseas. According to a league announcement, Bailey has signed a one-year deal with the KHL’s Barys Astana.
Bailey’s professional career began in 2013 when the Buffalo Sabres selected him with the 52nd overall pick of that summer’s draft. Unfortunately, Bailey hasn’t lived up to his draft billing.
Throughout his career, Bailey has primarily been an AHL scorer. Still, he carved out appearances in eight different seasons in the NHL, scoring 10 goals and 23 points in 141 games with a -26 rating split between the Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, and San Jose Sharks.
Understandably, he was far more productive in the AHL. Since debuting in the 2015-16 season, Bailey leaves behind a career scoring line of 180 goals and 319 points in 509 AHL contests. Additionally, the Buffalo, NY native scored two goals and three points in seven postseason appearances.
This past season, spent with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, Bailey scored 25 goals and 42 points in 71 games, being one of the better performances of his career.
Now with Barys Astana, Bailey will join a few familiar faces from his time in the AHL. The Kazakhstan-based franchise also features Tyce Thompson, Chase Priskie, Ian McCoshen, and Garrett Pilon, along with a few others.