New York Islanders left winger Anthony Duclair is taking some time off two days after coach Patrick Roy called him out in a press conference.
Roy told reporters Thursday that he and Duclair had a positive conversation, and he granted the player’s request to take some time away and reflect, according to The Hockey News’ Stefen Rosner.
This week’s news is a reminder that coaching NHL players is still an inexact science, and sometimes, the “old school” way of confronting players is still used. But it is tough to see the benefit in Roy’s comments on Tuesday night.
“He was god-awful. He was god-awful. He had a bad game," Roy said of Duclair’s play in the Islanders’ 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. "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…He's not skating, he's not competing, he's not moving his feet. He's not playing up to what we expect from him."
To be fair, Duclair is under pressure to produce. He’s in the first season of a four-year contract with an average annual value of $3.5 million, and the 29-year-old only has seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 44 games. Duclair also has a full no-trade clause until 2026, so he’s in control of his on-ice future to a degree.
However, is it really a good idea for Roy to call out one of his players the way he did with Duclair? Roy isn’t exactly John Tortorella-ish in his mannerisms and approaches to his job, but it’s hard to see how naming and shaming Duclair will lead to a guaranteed turnaround in his on-ice performance.
Perhaps the fact the Islanders are on a six-game winless skid that’s essentially taken them out of a playoff position caused some general frustration. It wouldn’t be the first time a coach has taken out their frustration with his team by scapegoating a player.
While Duclair must own his role in the Isles’ struggles, there must be a solution that keeps him under the team’s umbrella, if that’s even in doubt in the first place.
Anthony Duclair Stepping Away From Islanders; Matt Martin To Play vs. WildEAST MEADOW, NY -- The New York Islanders will be making a lineup change out of necessity on Friday against the Minnesota Wild.
The Islanders are the ninth team Duclair has played for in his NHL career, and the longest he’s been with one team is the two-and-a-half seasons he played for the Florida Panthers from 2020 to 2022.
Having that job security with the Isles was no doubt a big factor in him signing with the team last summer, but Duclair even said Roy was a factor. His former QMJHL coach called him before he decided to join the Islanders.
That said, if Roy is calling out players like this, it’s either tough love that will end with Duclair improving, or it’s a huge mistake. In any case, Duclair’s play under Roy will now be under the microscope until further notice.
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