The Islanders will make some changes to their forward group on Thursday, with Maxim Tsyplakov and Kyle MacLean drawing into the lineup in place of Anthony Duclair and Marc Gatcomb. Duclair averaged 44.1 points per season across the first decade of his career, but has failed to maintain that pace since joining the Islanders, producing at a concerning 23.7 points per season over the last two seasons.
With Bo Horvat returning to the Islanders' lineup on Saturday, Duclair will sit vs. the Rangers. Head coach Patrick Roy called it "heartbreaking" when deciding who to take out of the lineup and added that Duclair has "played well." Duclair has not scored in 10 games, picking up just three assists during that stretch.
On Thursday, the Islanders announced that Duclair will temporarily step away from the team due to personal reasons. With only eight games remaining, it is unclear if Duclair will return to the lineup this season. The 29-year-old Duclair has 11 points (7G / 4A) in 44 games this season. Matt Martin will draw into the lineup as Duclair's replacement.
Duclair will slide right back into the Islanders lineup on Tuesday after being a surprise scratch on Monday. Adam Boqvist will sit in his place as the Isles opt to return to dressing just six defencemen.
Duclair has not provided ample offensive production in his first season with the Islanders and will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the New York Rangers. The 29-year-old Duclair has nine points (5G / 4A) in 30 games this season and only has three points (2G / 1A) in his last 22 contests.
Duclair missed the Islanders' morning skate and head coach Patrick Roy does not expect him to play vs. the Lightning. Look for Maxim Tsyplakov to move back up the lineup and for Pierre Engvall to re-enter the lineup to replace Duclair.
Duclair has not played since suffering a lower-body injury in mid-October but could return to the lineup on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 30-year-old Duclair was signed in the offseason to add an offensive punch to a typically low-scoring Islanders club and was off to a solid start before his injury, with three points (2G / 1A) in five games.
Duclair has not played since suffering a lower-body injury in mid-October but could return to the lineup on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 30-year-old Duclair was signed in the offseason to add an offensive punch to a typically low-scoring Islanders club and was off to a solid start, with three points (2G / 1A) in five games.
Duclair has not played since suffering a lower-body injury in mid-October but has been upgraded to day-to-day after participating in practice on Thursday. The 30-year-old Duclair was signed in the offseason to add an offensive punch to a typically low-scoring Islanders club and was off to a solid start, with three points (2G / 1A) in five games.
Only five games into his tenure as a New York Islander, Duclair has suffered a lower-body injury that will keep him sidelined for 4-6 weeks. The 30-year-old Duclair was signed in the offseason to add an offensive punch to a typically low-scoring Islanders club and was off to a solid start, with three points (2G / 1A) in five games.
Only five games into his tenure as a New York Islander, Duclair has suffered an undisclosed injury that will keep him sidelined indefinitely. The 30-year-old Duclair was signed in the offseason to add an offensive punch to a typically low-scoring Islanders club and was off to a solid start, with three points (2G / 1A) in five games.
Duclair had to be helped off the ice after suffering an apparent leg injury in Saturday's game. Post-game head coach Patrick Roy did not have an update on Duclair and they don't practice on Sunday, so don't expect an update on the winger until Monday at the earliest.
Duclair will join his ninth NHL team in 11 seasons after he signed a four-year deal worth $14.0 million ($3.5M AAV) with the Islanders on Monday. The 28-year-old went on a nice run with Tampa Bay after being acquired at last year's trade deadline, with 15 points in 17 games to add to his 24 goals and 42 points in 73 games played on the season.
Duclair has been solid since joining Tampa Bay before the trade deadline, scoring 12 points (6G / 6A) in 14 games, but will not play on Thursday due to an illness. Conor Sheary will draw into the lineup as his replacement.
