New York Icelanders striker Anthony Duclair will take time to the team, coach Patrick Roy said on Thursday.
The announcement comes two days after Roy told journalists that Duclair was “with God” during the defeat of the Icelanders 4-1 against the Lightning of Tampa Bay.
Roy approached the problem with journalists after Duclair was not present in training Thursday morning.
“Obviously, you saw that Anthony was not in practice today,” said Roy. “This morning, Anthony and I had a very good conversation, very positive, and Anthony asked me to take a little time and to think. I obviously accepted this, and we will give him all the time he needs.”
Duclair, 29, was a minus-1 in 12:15 of the time of ice during Tuesday’s defeat on ice at home. He only played four quarters of work in the third period.
“He was with God,” said Roy about Duclair after the match. “He had a bad match. That’s why I didn’t play him much. He is fortunate to be in alignment. Sorry if I lose it on him right now, but that’s what I’m feeling.
“He does not skate, he does not contribute, he does not move his feet. He does not play what we expect from him. … I think that is a thing of effort.”
Signed for a $ 14 million contract over four years in July, Duclair has 11 points (7 goals, 4 assists) with a career note of less than 15 in 44 games this season. His contract includes a complete non-exchange clause until 2026.
The Icelanders are without victory in their last six games, struggling in the section while continuing the last place in the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. They drag the Montreal Canadians with five points with eight games to play, starting with Friday’s match against the Minnesota Wild.
Duclair totaled 314 points (153 goals, 161 assists) in 607 career games with nine teams since its selection by New York Rangers in the third round of the NHL 2013.
The information from Greg Wyshynski of ESPN and the media in the field was used in this report.
