Head Coach Patrick Roy Shreds Duclair After Islanders' Ugly Loss: ‘God-Awful’

Wednesday, April 02, 2025

Patrick Roy didn’t hold back after the New York Islanders’ sixth straight loss, a 4-1 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning, directing his full frustration at struggling winger Anthony Duclair. 

“He was god-awful,” Roy said postgame. “He had a bad game. That’s why I didn’t play him a lot. He’s lucky to be in the lineup. Sorry if I lose it on him, but that’s how I feel.” 

Duclair played just 12:15, logging only four shifts in the third period as the Islanders tried to mount a comeback. He finished the night with two shots, one hit, a block, a giveaway, and a minus-1 rating.

Roy, known for his blunt style, made it clear the issue wasn’t just one bad game. “He’s not skating, he’s not competing, he’s not moving his feet,” the coach said. “He’s not playing up to what we expect from him. I think it’s an effort thing.” 

Duclair has just seven goals and 11 points in 44 games during his first season in New York, where he signed a four-year, $14 million contract last summer. 

Since returning from a groin injury that sidelined him early in the season, he’s struggled to find consistency and has seen his ice time dwindle, playing under 13 minutes in each of his last three games.

Roy and Duclair have a long history dating back to their days with the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts, a relationship Duclair cited as a key reason for signing with the Islanders. 

But Roy appears to have run out of patience. His comments follow similar public critiques of other players this season, including Pierre Engvall, Samuel Bolduc, and Marcus Hogberg. 

With just eight games remaining and the Islanders sitting five points out of a playoff spot, tensions are boiling.

Photo Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images

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