Anthony Duclair Takes a Break from Islanders Following Coach's Brutal Critique

In a stunning turn of events, New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair is stepping back from the team, according to head coach Patrick Roy's announcement on Thursday. This decision comes just two days after Roy publicly lambasted Duclair's performance, labeling him "god-awful" in the Islanders' disappointing 4-1 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Roy detailed the situation during a press conference on Thursday, mentioning Duclair's absence from the morning practice. "It's clear that Anthony was not present today. We had a constructive conversation earlier this morning, and he expressed the need for some time to reflect. I fully support his decision and will ensure he has the time he needs to regroup," Roy stated.

The Islanders are experiencing a challenging stretch, having gone winless in their last six games as they chase the crucial final wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Currently, they lag behind the Montreal Canadiens by five points with only eight games left in the regular season, beginning with a matchup against the Minnesota Wild on Friday.

Duclair, who recently signed a lucrative four-year, $14 million contract in July, has struggled significantly this season. Through 44 games, he has accumulated only 11 points, consisting of 7 goals and 4 assists, while posting a career-low minus-15 rating. His minimal playing time in critical moments, as evidenced by only receiving four shifts in the third period of the latest game, has raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. Roy pointedly mentioned Duclair's lack of effort, saying, "He's not skating, he's not competing... it all comes down to effort."

Drafted by the New York Rangers in the third round of the 2013 NHL draft, the 29-year-old Duclair has seen his career take him through nine different teams, amassing 314 points (153 goals, 161 assists) over 607 games. With the stakes high for the Islanders and the pressure on Duclair mounting, his return to the lineup could shape not only his career trajectory but also the team's playoff aspirations.

As the Brooklyn-based team seeks to regain its footing in the race for the playoffs, all eyes will be on Duclair’s next steps and whether he can bounce back from this challenging phase.