Anthony Duclair Impressing in Preseason Games

Anthony Duclair, 5’11” and 187 lbs, was drafted by the New York Rangers in the 3rd round of the 2013 entry draft and spent the last year in the QMJHL as part of the Quebec Remparts.

Duclair had a good season during his draft year in the QMJHL. He managed to put up 50 points in 55 games played. That didn’t stand out enough to get him in the 1st or 2nd round though. But now it seems that the New York Ramgers got a steal with Duclair in the 3rd round.

Last year in with the Quebec Remparts, Duclair tried to prove to other teams that he was worth a 1st round selection when he put up 99 points in 59 games, and 50 of those points being goals. Now Duclair is showing off his skills in the preseason and, thanks to a Derek Stepan injury, trying to make the opening night roster.

When asked about cracking the roster, Duclair said, “With the injury to (Derek) Stepan, there’s a spot available up front…I have to push the coaches to get into the top-six role and, you know what? I’m just here working hard and, obviously, I’m a younger player, but I want to prove to them that I can stick at 19 years old.”

It seems as though Duclair is very confident that he can turn the heads of his coaches and possibly be skating on the ice during the regular season.

Rangers Head Coach Alain Vigneault seems to like what Duclair can do, he talked about the former third round pick saying,”I didn’t see any problems…You’ve got his speed coming from behind, it gives the opposition less time to make plays.”

Anthony Duclair has the skills to eventually become an NHL player. Send him on his nine game tryout, but after that send him down to the QMJHL. He has a great shot and can really skate down the ice and has proved that in preseason games. He now needs to prove that on ice during the regular season.

Duclair will be a player that can contribute most nights when he makes it to the NHL. He has been working on his play-making abilities as seen by that great pass to Rick Nash that led to a breakaway goal. It should be fun to see if he stays in the big leagues, who he is paired with as line mates.

Duclair is another guy like Mikhail Grigorenko of the Buffalo Sabres or Gustav Nyquist of the Detroit Red Wings, who needs (or in Nyquist’s case needed) a year or two in the American Hockey League. Once there, Duclair can test his skills against stronger opponents, but not has strong as NHL competition.

At the end of the season Duclair will most likley end up with the Remparts in the QMJHL and will have a 100+point season with 60+ goals. He is just too good for junior hockey.

Duclair and the Rangers take on the Flyers Tuesday, September 30th at 7:00 pm at the Wells Fargo Center.