Ace A Key For JT

Tomorrow is one of the most important days in Islander history. There will be a meeting of utmost importance with regards to the Lighthouse project, the key to the future of NHL hockey on Long Island. The Isles will hold a pre-meeting rally and along for the ride is one of their most important pieces of the present and future, Josh Bailey.

Bailey will also loom as a big influence on the rookie season of John Tavares. The two were teammates on the OHL team at the 2007 ADT challenge and are looking to be the 1-2 punch up the middle that the Isles have lacked in recent years. Bailey took Tavares under his wing at the teams summer mini-camp, the 19-year old “veteran” stole plenty of the storylines with his leadership and increased strength.

It will be crucial for Bailey to take some heat off Tavares on the ice this season. Bailey finished the season with a respectable 25 points (8 G. 17A.) and flashed some brilliant playmaking and hockey sense. He will need to improve upon those numbers to take opposing team defenses’ heat off of Tavares and continue to emerge as a young leader on this team. These two could be very dangerous on the power play, add in Okposo, Streit, and Weight and it gives Islanders fans a great reason for optimism this season and for “Ace” and “JT” many seasons to come.

Tomorrow, Lighthouse meeting round-up.