After signing a four-year, $14 million deal last offseason, New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders] forward Anthony Duclair’s first year in blue and orange didn’t go as planned. The 29-year-old was limited to just 44 games due to a groin injury sustained on Oct. 19 against the Montreal Canadiens. Once he returned, he struggled to find his rhythm, finishing the season with just five goals and three assists over those 39 games. It was no secret Duclair was struggling. Following the Islanders' 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 1, coach Patrick Roy laid into him in the media: “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. Following Roy’s comments, the two spoke and decided it was best for Duclair to “take some time off and reflect.” Duclair would not return for any of the Islanders' final eight games of the season. While Duclair’s first year on Long Island was disappointing, he should be given a fresh slate heading into 2025-26. He started the 2024-25 season firing on all cylinders, recording two goals and an assist in his first three games as an Islander. He also impressed in the preseason, tallying one goal and four assists in four games, three of which were primary assists. The scoresheet doesn’t tell the whole story, either, as Duclair looked like he’d been playing with Mathew Barzal for years, as the two matched each other’s speed effortlessly. Had both stayed healthy for the full 82-game season, there is little doubt they would have produced significant numbers in the Islanders’ top six. With Barzal expected to move back to center from the wing, Duclair profiles as an ideal linemate. It’s easy to forget just how valuable Duclair can be, given his injury struggles last season, but Islanders fans should look to Scott Mayfield as a reminder of why it is crucial to approach the new season with a clean slate. Islanders Anthony Duclair Gives First Public Comments Since Taking Leave Of Absence [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/5aa4b131-b3f6-439f-93e3-3bd22eef6cd8.webp] Islanders Anthony Duclair Gives First Public Comments Since Taking Leave Of Absence With eight games to go in the regular season, <a href="http://thn.com/isles">New York Islanders</a> forward <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/islanders-anthony-duclair-deserving-of-fresh-slate">Anthony Duclair</a> requested and was granted a leave of absence. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/islanders-anthony-duclair-gives-first-public-comments-since-taking-leave-of-absence] In 2023-24, Mayfield appeared in just 41 games after suffering an ankle injury in the Islanders’ season opener, followed by a mid-season upper-body injury and a season-ending lower-body injury in February. Playing the entire season on a fractured ankle severely impacted his skating, leading to unnecessary penalties and costly turnovers as he struggled with limited mobility. Fully recovered to start the 2024-25 season, Mayfield bounced back, notably leading Islanders defensemen in goals percentage while finishing third in expected goals percentage, per Natural Stat Trick. While no two situations are identical, Duclair is in the same boat as Mayfield was a year ago, evident in comments made by Duclair on Jan. 16: “My game is based on speed, especially with the way I skate; a lot of power and obviously using a lot of my legs. So, with my injury, I think it was tough to come back, and I'm still feeling it. But I'm not using that as an excuse at all. I just need to play better." Duclair never returned to full health last season, and as a result, he struggled. If he can stay healthy, there's no reason the Islanders can’t get the version of Duclair they saw at the start of the season, and this time, he’ll be able to do it without all the attention he had last year. Heading into 2024–25, Duclair was the Islanders’ marquee free-agent signing, with Maxim Tsyplakov being the only other notable addition to the roster. This time around, the spotlight won’t be solely on Duclair. The Islanders will begin the season with Jonathan Drouin, Max Shabanov, and potentially Calum Ritchie and the 2025 No. 1 pick, Matthew Schaefer, in the lineup, helping to minimize the attention. Roy has also said he plans to apologize to Duclair in person for his comments last season, while Drouin cited his close friendship with Duclair as one of the reasons he chose to sign on Long Island. “I spoke to him the day he left,” Roy said on the final day of development camp. “Obviously, I haven't talked to him since, because it's not something I want to do over the phone. I will meet with him in Montreal, or wherever he's going to be, and we're going to have a good conversation. I'm certainly going to apologize to him for my comments. I mean, I'm capable of recognizing when I make some good ones, and I'm also capable when I make bad ones and I would like to apologize to him, but in person. Not on the telephone, and say, ‘Oh, I'd like to apologize to you now’. That’s now how I want to do those things. “I want to do it in person and for him to, because he played for me in juniors. He knows how much I like him, how much respect I have for him. So I mean, sometimes you say things after games and you regret it, and that's one of them.” Islanders Anthony Duclair Gives First Public Comments Since Taking Leave Of Absence [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/5aa4b131-b3f6-439f-93e3-3bd22eef6cd8.webp] Islanders Anthony Duclair Gives First Public Comments Since Taking Leave Of Absence With eight games to go in the regular season, <a href="http://thn.com/isles">New York Islanders</a> forward <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/islanders-anthony-duclair-deserving-of-fresh-slate">Anthony Duclair</a> requested and was granted a leave of absence. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/islanders-anthony-duclair-gives-first-public-comments-since-taking-leave-of-absence] With first-year general manager Mathieu Darche prioritizing speed in his roster construction, and Roy’s system built around pace, awareness, and quick puck movement, Duclair is poised for a bounce-back season in 2025–26. Stefen Rosner [https://x.com/stefen_rosner] contributed to this report Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwpuDfCA?ceid=CA:en&oc=3] to never miss a story.
