Islanders Newcomer Anthony Duclair To Start Training Camp Alongside Horvat & Barzal On Top Line

Speed is the name of the game in today's NHL, and the New York Islanders addressed that when they signed forward Anthony Duclair.

WESTBURY, NY -- Speed is the name of the game in today's NHL, and the New York Islanders addressed that when they signed forward Anthony Duclair.

The 29-year-old French Canadian is a lightning-quick [pun intended] and is excited to get to work after signing a four-year deal worth $3.5 million annually. 

"I'm just really excited, first and foremost," Duclair said at the Islanders Charity Golf Outing at Glenn Oaks. "Going into free agency, I had a lot of decisions to make, and I just felt, looking at this lineup, I can fit in really easy. You just look at the forward group, particularly the top six, and there's a lot of skill and talent. I like what they've done over the past couple of years. 

"And just as a way player, playing against the islanders over the years, it's just always a grind, always a tough team to play against, and they never make it easy on you. I'm just looking forward to, whoever I'm playing with, building chemistry as fast as possible."

Immediately after the signing was announced, Duclair was expected to start alongside Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat on the club's top line.

And that's exactly what will happen, per head coach Patrick Roy. 

"I'm very happy to see that he joined the team. He brings speed to our team. We'll try him at the beginning with Bo and Barzy and see how it goes, and we'll go from there," Roy said. "I think he's gonna be a good help to our team. He's gonna help us a lot. He's gonna help them a lot. So I think he can be a good addition to the team."

Duclair played for Roy in juniors during Roy's first stint with the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL. 

The NHL journeyman, who is gearing up for his 11th NHL season and ninth franchise, is thrilled to have the chance to skate with Barzal. 

"He's a really exciting player. He's a superstar in this league and has been since he entered," Duclair said. "I'm super excited to be his teammate, for sure. You know what he does night in and night out, how much passion he has. 

"And, just the compete level, too. A lot of these superstar players really love to compete, and he's one of those guys, so I'm really looking forward to playing with him and creating some magic out there."

The feeling is mutual.

"Having Dukie out on the ice -- we've been playing together a little bit -- the immediate reaction is he's just fast. He has skill and a good IQ, and his competitive level seems to be really high, so I think it's a great addition.

"Even by watching him, he's a guy that you could put him with anyone, and he'd have chemistry. He's smart, has skill, and can shoot the puck. So I think anyone that gets to play with him is going be lucky."

Lucky 13. 

"His smile is infectious. Even being around him the last week and a half, he's got an infectious personality," Barzal said. "He's going to be great in our locker room with the energy."

There seems always to be extra connections after the Islanders make moves and the Duclair move is no different. 

Although Duclair only knows Barzal from the 2020 All-Star game in St. Louis, he played with Horvat many moons ago. 

"Bo and I were actually roommates at U-18 Hlinka [Tournament], winning gold when we were 17," Duclair said.  "So, I know Bo really well. Just crossing paths with him when he was in Vancouver and playing against him, he's a really solid 200-foot player, a guy you can rely on in any situation.

"He's just another guy I'm really excited to play with and learn from. He's got those leadership skills, being a captain on a previous team. "He's just a really good person all around. So really excited."

Duclair also played with Jean-Gabriel Pageau during their time in Ottawa, and the two have remained close. 

"We've been really close for years and had a really good time together in Ottawa," Duclair said. "I enjoyed playing with him. It was him, me, and [Brady] Tkachuk for a while. We had good chemistry. 

"My first time playing the penalty kill was with Pageau. He definitely taught me a lot of things. And just another French boy. It doesn't get too much better."

Nelson didn't know Duclair before his arrival on Long Island but had glowing things to say about getting to know him thus far. 

"He's great. He's been around for a bit. Everyone's been here now for it feels like two, two and a half weeks, just hanging out, enjoying the last little bit of summer, getting to know one another, so he's been great at the rink. 

"Good guy in the room. He's laughing. He's in the mix and a good ad for us."

The Islanders will open training camp this Thursday, giving us our first look at Duclair and the new top line.