Patrick Roy Is The Reason Anthony Duclair Signed With Islanders

Anthony Duclair credits Patrick Roy for why he signed with the New York Islanders.

There was no question that New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy was going to have a say in his roster for the 2024-25 season. 

General manager Lou Lamoriello made it clear following their dismissal from the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs that he and Roy would work together to build the best roster they could. 

Actions speak louder than words, and on Monday, those actions did the "Yes Yes Yes" chant as the team signed free agent forward Anthony Duclair to a four-year extension worth $3.5 million annually. 

Duclair, who played his junior hockey for the Quebec Remparts, where Roy was the head coach, said that he received a call from his former bench boss on Monday morning.

"He gave me a call this morning and told me that he wanted me," Duclair said when we spoke with him on Monday night. "And when a coach calls you and tells you he wants you on his team, it's hard to say no, especially when it's Pat.

"Obviously, I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. I know him very well, and his family very well. I played for him, I know what to expect. So, I think it was a great fit in that perspective."

Duclair has bounced around since breaking into the NHL with the New York Rangers back in the 2014-15 after being drafted by the Blueshirts 80th overall in 2013. 

He spent just 18 games with them before joining the Arizona Coyotes for two-plus years, the Blackhawks for 23 games, the Blue Jackets for 53 games, the Ottawa Senators for two seasons, and the Florida Panthers for three seasons before splitting this past season with the San Jose Sharks and Tampa Bay Lightning. 

He's been on the move and said that signing a longer-term deal was important.

"I think that at this stage of my career and my life, I just wanted a little bit more stability, trying to find a home for a little bit," Duclair said. "I'm glad that Lou gave me that vote of confidence. And just looking forward to getting started and moving back to New York."

The Hockey News asked Duclair how excited he was to be on the other side of the Islanders-Rangers rivalry.

"Extremely excited," Duclair said. "Looking forward to those New York matchups. Those are always exciting, and the rivalry is always tense. Those games are just fun to watch and fun to be a part of, and I am looking forward to those battles for sure."

Duclair doesn't know much about Long Island but does have a good friend on the team in Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

The two played together in Ottawa and have stayed in touch ever since. 

"Yeah, Pager’s an awesome dude," Duclair said. "We stayed in contact ever since we both left Ottawa. He's a close friend of mine. We actually talked today. I'm just very excited to be joining him again. I think we both had some success together as linemates in Ottawa. He's a guy that's extremely smart, plays a 200-foot game, and is very reliable.

"You really know what you’re gonna get out of him each and every night. So, I'm very excited to be joining Pager again."

Duclair is known for his speed and he's looking forward to helping this forward group, regardless of what line he is on. 

"I think my job is to bring some speed, some offense. I'm not sure who I'm gonna play with, but I think we have, just looking at the roster, a lot of good players up front and a lot of skills.

"I'm just looking forward to amplifying that forward group and doing the best I can each and every night."

Duclair was also asked about the Islanders' family atmosphere and getting to be a part of that. 

"I'm looking forward to it very much. Ever since I've been in the league, you can tell just playing against these guys they're very tight off the ice," Duclair said. "I know there's a bunch of guys in that locker room that have been there for a long time, and you have the core players in there. It's a very family-like style, which I absolutely love. I was just talking to Pager about it today; they treat the boys very well and are very family-oriented. So I'm definitely gonna fit in really nicely with that. And just looking forward to it. 

"I don't know much about the area, to be honest, but I'm definitely gonna be doing my research and getting there a little bit before training camp to familiarize myself with that for sure."

Duclair, who previously wore the No. 10, hasn't given much thought to a new number, with Simon Holmstrom currently wearing it. He's also worn No. 91 in his career, but that sweater is retired for Butch Goring. 

Duclair, coming to the island, is the first strong free agent to join the New York Islanders since Zach Parise came aboard in the summer of 2021.

The Islanders needed speed and got it at a reasonable cap hit. 

Given Duclair's background with Roy, this should be a signing that pays dividends.