The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Casey Bailey, a college UFA out of Penn State. Bailey, 23, was widely regarded as the most sought-after college free agent of his class.
The @MapleLeafs have signed free agent forward Casey Bailey to a two-year entry level contract #TMLtalk
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) March 21, 2015
TOR makes it official: Casey Bailey signs two-year entry level deal.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 21, 2015
A scouting report from Last Word On Sports’ Ben Kerr:
The big Nittany Lions winger will likely be the most sought after forward in this free agent class. Blessed with ideal size and an NHL ready wrist shot and release, he has put up 22 goals and 40 points in 34 games during his junior campaign. He loves to shoot the puck and is always looking to put the puck at the net, as seen by the fact he leads the NCAA in shots this season. The 23-year-old could decide to go back to Penn State for a senior season, but that seems unlikely. Bailey is a decent skater and plays a physical brand of hockey at both ends of the ice.
Bailey had 22 goals and 18 assists through 37 contests, good for 27th overall in NCAA scoring. The addition comes on the heels of the signing of 21-year-old KHL forward Nikita Soshnikov (read the analysis from LWOS here.)
The following is a press-release from the Toronto Maple Leafs organization:
David Nonis, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Saturday that the club has signed free agent forward Casey Bailey to a two-year entry level contract.
Bailey, 23, collected 40 points (22 goals, 18 assists) in 36 regular season games this season with Penn State University (Big-10). Bailey led the entire Big-10 Conference with 22 goals and ranked fourth overall with 40 points. In 96 career games at Penn State University, Bailey registered 80 points (45 goals, 35 assists) and 91 penalty minutes. The Anchorage, Alaska native led the Big-10, averaging 5.70 shots on goal per game.
The Maple Leafs return to the ice tonight when they travel to Ottawa for a 7 p.m. game against the Senators.
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