Bye Bye Bailey

Via Western College Hockey: forward Jason Bailey has left the team for the Ottawa 67s. Normally I don't get on kids for departures, but leaving in the middle of the season when you're seeing consistent ice time is a dick move. Thankfully, Bailey was by far the worst skater in the top nine. This year he has a stellar 0-0-0 in 19 games and has 14 minor penalties -- only Chris Summers has more -- and is -11. If Michigan wasn't already deciding which walkon to play every night, this would be irrelevant.

Unfortunately, it isn't. Bailey's departure further weakens Michigan's already thin bottom two lines, and though he wasn't a threat to do anything except hit someone and take a minor penalty, he's probably vaguely better than Ward or Ciraulo. Michigan may be forced to move a defenseman up (or at least they will when Dest and Kampfer return from injury). I expect Fardig to slide up a line.