Reason Rangers should take notice of Anthony Duclair’s ‘statement game’ ahead of trade deadline
Anthony Duclair is presenting a strong argument for rejoining the New York Rangers ahead of the NHL trade deadline on Friday.
The 28-year-old forward showcased his skills with an impressive performance for the San Jose Sharks in their 7-6 overtime defeat against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. Duclair contributed significantly with four points, including two power-play goals that gave the Sharks leads at crucial moments (1-0 and 4-3), as well as two assists during even-strength play.
Hockey insider Elliotte Friedman commented on Duclair’s performance, emphasizing its significance. He remarked on Sirius/XM’s NHL Network Radio on Wednesday that Duclair’s display was a clear message to doubters: if teams doubt his ability to contribute, he’s proving them wrong.
Friedman noted that there hadn’t been much league-wide interest in Duclair or other available Sharks forwards approaching the deadline. Therefore, Duclair’s recent performance has been particularly impressive to him.
Rangers trade option Anthony Duclair getting hot before deadline
Duclair is currently experiencing a hot streak, netting five goals and tallying eight points over his last four games, including a standout performance against the Anaheim Ducks on February 29th.
According to Friedman, there’s a growing awareness of Duclair’s potential value, especially after his impressive recent showing. His ability to elevate his performance highlights both positive and negative aspects of his game. On the positive side, he demonstrates offensive prowess akin to his past achievements as a 30-goal scorer. However, his struggles have been evident, particularly while playing for a struggling team this season.
One positive aspect of Duclair’s attitude is his aversion to losing, as evidenced by his frustration after a loss to Dallas despite a strong individual effort.
Although Duclair showcased his best hockey during last spring’s playoff run with the Florida Panthers, where he contributed significantly to their journey to the Stanley Cup Final, ultimately losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games, the New York Rangers are currently eyeing him as a potential addition to their roster. They are in search of a top-line right wing to complement players like Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.
While the Rangers are heavily pursuing Frank Vatrano from the Ducks for this role, Duclair remains a viable alternative if a deal with Vatrano falls through due to high demands or other complications. Moreover, Duclair could offer a more financially feasible option.
Duclair holds the fourth position on Forever Blueshirts’ updated Rangers trade board. Originally drafted by the Rangers in 2013, he played 18 games with them in the 2014-2015 season before being traded to the Arizona Coyotes. Since then, he has played for several teams, currently on his seventh, amassing 138 goals and 288 points in 546 games.
His recent surge, totaling 16 goals and 27 points in 56 games, has likely captured the attention of the Rangers’ management, potentially making him a compelling target for them.