"I try to see those things, watch a little bit of tape of those NHL games. While it was short, I still got to see the speed and everything what it was like. So for me, it's just noticing what I need to work on and try to get a little bit better at those during the summer."
Among the items stressed during development camp in July were playing with speed and quick decision-making. New Americans coach Dan Lambert, who was one of Sabres coach Dan Bylsma's assistants in Buffalo last season, said he loves Bailey's speed but knows there's more he'll have to do to become a full-time NHL player.
"It's hard not to pay attention to his skating ability and his size (6-feet-3, 209 pounds)," Lambert said. "I think when he gets better at protecting pucks, I think his game will really take off. it's something that I know that he's worked on and he's going to continue to work on, but his skating and his size are two things that are impressive."
Bailey will have plenty of company as he competes for a shot at making the NHL. Forwards William Carrier, Nick Baptiste, and Alex Nylander, the No. 8 pick at the 2016 NHL Draft, also will be vying for a spot in Buffalo. Bailey's experience and ability to improve year by year may give him a leg up.
"It's just the speed of the game," he said. "Every time you go up a level, it's the speed. Guys are smarter, guys are faster. When I went to the NHL, it was quick. I think in-zone, getting pucks rimmed or even directly to me and making the correct play; you look at guys that do that consistently and those guys have jobs for a while.
"Just little things in the [defensive] zone, making plays a little bit quicker. But I think that's something that, along with working with it, just comes along after playing more games and getting more experience."