Anthony Duclair Takes Time Away From Islanders

After being absolutely blasted publicly by head coach Patrick Roy this week, New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair has requested—and been granted—some time off from the team.

#Isles HC Patrick Roy opened today's presser with an update on Anthony Duclair: pic.twitter.com/RjFk7pQjyH
— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) April 3, 2025

Roy told the media today that he and Duclair had a long, positive conversation this morning, and the player told Roy that he "needed some time off to reflect." The coach said he obviously agreed, and that he will give him all the time he needs.

Roy had launched a savage verbal attack on Duclair after the team's 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday night.

“He was God awful. He had a bad game, and 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, but that’s how I feel,” Roy said postgame. “He’s not skating, he’s not competing, he’s not moving his feet. He’s not playing up to what we expect from him.”

The 29-year-old was coming off a 24-goal season last year with the San Jose Sharks and Tampa Bay Lightning when he hit free agency and signed his deal with the Islanders last summer. But after suffering a torn groin five games into this season, he missed 28 games, and has only been able to muster up seven goals since coming back, with 11 points in 44 games. He's averaged 15:03 of ice time per night.

The Islanders have lost six straight, and are pretty much out of the playoff race, five points back of the second Wild Card spot, with several other teams ahead of them as well.

For his career, across 11 seasons, Duclair has 153 goals with 314 points in 607 games. He was an All-Star with the Ottawa Senators in 2020.