Former Rangers forward ‘God-awful’ in latest Islanders loss, ripped by coach postgame
As the regular season nears its end, tensions are running high for teams on the outside looking in at the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and former New York Rangers forward Anthony Duclair is the latest public victim of it.
After the New York Islanders were outclassed by the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1 on home ice Tuesday night, coach Patrick Roy ripped into Duclair.
“He was God-awful,” Roy said after the loss. “He had a bad game. That’s why I didn’t play him a lot. And he’s lucky to be in the lineup. Sorry if I lose it on him right now, but that’s how I feel.”
Duclair recorded two shots on goal, blocked a shot and was credited with a hit in only 12:15 TOI. But Roy’s frustration with the struggling 29-year-old stems from his effort.
“He’s not skating. He’s not competing. He’s not moving his feet,” Roy explained. “He’s not playing up to what we expect from him. I think it’s an effort thing.”
Duclair has undoubtedly struggled as of late; the Islanders’ big offseason free-agent pickup has not tallied a point in the past six games and posted two points in the entire month of March. His woes have been season-long — he missed time due to injury earlier in the season, but in 44 games the former 30-goal scorer has just seven goals and four assists.
Last summer, Duclair signed a $14 million contract to spend the next four years on Long Island. One year in, it’s looking like it’ll be a deal the Islanders regret.
Duclair’s disappointing season and recent poor play matches that of the team. Through 74 games, the Islanders have 74 points (32-32-10), five out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, with four teams in their way of getting there and the season quickly slipping away.
The Rangers’ archrival was in the thick of the playoff race not long ago, but six straight losses – the last four in regulation – have all but eliminated them from contention.
Related: Gabe Perreault set to ‘take next step’ and make NHL debut against Wild
Rangers draft pick turned journeyman struggling with latest team
Before bouncing around the League and eventually landing with the Islanders, Duclair was selected by the Rangers in the third round (No. 80 overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. He made his debut at 19 years old with the Blueshirts in the 2014-15 season, but his career on Broadway only lasted 18 games.
Later that season, Duclair was a part of the trade package that brought Keith Yandle to New York from the Arizona Coyotes. Duclair has been a journeyman ever since, playing for nine different teams during his NHL career.
He made his first NHL All-Star Game with the Ottawa Senators in 2019-20, scoring 23 goals and and finishing with 40 points in the pandemic-abbreviated season. Two years later with the Florida Panthers, he had his first and only 30-goal season (31 goals) on the team that won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2021-22.
It looked as if he finally found a long-term home when he inked his four-year deal with the Islanders. And maybe it will be, since Duclair has a no-trade clause in his contract. But right now he’s on the hot seat with his coach in the final days of his first season with the Islanders.
More About:New York Rangers News