In a minor league transaction, the San Jose Sharks have traded forward Justin Bailey to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for prospect Pavol Regenda. The deal involves two players currently skating in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Sharks Send Bailey to Anaheim
Justin Bailey, a 29-year-old winger, has spent this season with the San Jose Barracuda, the Sharks’ AHL affiliate. In 33 games, he has recorded 14 points on seven goals and seven assists. The Buffalo Sabres originally drafted Bailey in the 2nd round of the 2013 NHL Draft.
Over his NHL career, Bailey has appeared in 141 games with the Sabres, Flyers, Canucks, and Sharks, totaling 23 points (10G, 13A). He will now join the Ducks organization, likely slotting in with their AHL club, the San Diego Gulls.
Ducks Acquire Regenda from San Jose
Going the other way is 25-year-old Slovakian forward Pavol Regenda. He has posted 16 points (4G, 12A) in 36 games this season with the Gulls. Regenda has some NHL experience, playing in 19 career games with the Ducks and registering 3 points (1G, 2A).
Regenda now joins the Sharks system and will likely report to the Barracuda. He provides some additional forward depth for their AHL roster.
Impact of the Bailey-Regenda Swap
While this is a relatively minor trade, it allows both the Sharks and Ducks to exchange forwards to bolster their minor league lineups. The two players have had fairly similar production in the AHL this season:
- Justin Bailey (Barracuda): 33 GP, 7G, 7A, 14 PTS
- Pavol Regenda (Gulls): 36 GP, 4G, 12A, 16 PTS
Bailey brings a bit more NHL experience, having played over 100 more games than Regenda at the highest level. However, Regenda is a few years younger at 25 and may still have some untapped upside.
This trade allows us to add a forward in Pavol Regenda who is a little younger and provides some additional depth for our organization.
– Sharks GM Mike Grier
Overall, this move is unlikely to have a major impact on either the Sharks or Ducks at the NHL level in the immediate future. However, it provides both clubs with a chance to shake up their minor league rosters a bit and see if a change of scenery can spark either Bailey or Regenda.
With the trade deadline approaching, this AHL swap could be a precursor to further moves for San Jose and Anaheim as they look to tweak their organizational depth. While blockbuster deals garner the headlines, minor transactions like this one are common ways for teams to round out their rosters up and down the lineup.
