New York Islanders coach Patrick Roy did not mince words when it came to his thoughts on forward Anthony Duclair after the team’s 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“He was god-awful. He was god-awful. 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,” Roy said.
Roy followed up by saying that he’s concerned with the effort that Duclair has provided lately when he’s on the ice.
“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,” Roy added.
In total, Duclair was on the ice for 12:15 in Tuesday’s game and finished with a -1 rating. Duclair ended up logging just four total shifts in the third period and it marked the third consecutive game in which Duclair played 12:15 or fewer. In his first season with New York, Duclair has averaged 15:03 of total ice time.
In 44 games this season, Duclair has tallied just seven goals and four assists, while producing a -15 rating. Duclair has recorded just three goals over the past two months, including just one in his last 12 contests. The 29-year old signed a four-year, $14 million contract with the Islanders in free agency this past summer, which includes a full no-trade clause.
Duclair did miss two months earlier this season due to a leg injury.
The Islanders are fighting for their playoff lives as they’re currently five points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. They have lost six consecutive games with four of those defeats coming in regulation.
Patrick Roy, the head coach of the New York Islanders, recently made headlines for his harsh criticism of forward Anthony Duclair’s performance. In a post-game press conference, Roy did not hold back in his assessment of Duclair’s play, calling it “god-awful” and stating that he was not living up to expectations.
Duclair, who was acquired by the Islanders in a trade earlier this season, has struggled to find his footing with the team. Despite showing flashes of potential, he has been inconsistent on the ice and has failed to produce at the level that was expected of him.
Roy’s comments have sparked debate among fans and analysts alike. Some believe that his criticism was justified, as Duclair has not been performing up to par. Others feel that Roy’s harsh words were unnecessary and could have a negative impact on Duclair’s confidence.
Criticism from a coach is not uncommon in professional sports, as coaches are tasked with pushing their players to perform at their best. However, the way in which criticism is delivered can have a significant impact on a player’s mindset and performance.
It will be interesting to see how Duclair responds to Roy’s comments and whether they will serve as motivation for him to improve his play. As the Islanders continue their push for a playoff spot, Duclair’s performance will be crucial to the team’s success. Only time will tell if Roy’s tough love approach will pay off in the long run.
