Former New York Rangers steps away from the NHL following harsh criticism from head coach
Photo credit: NHL.com
Former New York Rangers forward set to take time away from his current organization, following harsh criticism from head coach.
Former Rangers forward Anthony Declair has openly stated that he is taking time away from the New York Islanders after head coach Patrick Roy called him out for his lack of effort in a very heated press interview.
Declair stands by his words as he wasn't seen at the Islanders practice after a brutal 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
«This morning, Anthony and I had a very good conversation, a very positive one Roy told reporters after practice. «Anthony asked me to take some time off to reflect. So obviously I agreed to that, and we'll give him all the time that he needs.»
The 29-year old forward, was a minus-1 while playing 12:15 of ice time in the loss to Tampa Bay, the Islanders sixth consecutive game. Currently they are 32-32-10 and are six points out from the second wild-card spot.
Roy and Duclair have a relationship that dates back to Duclair's junior days, when he played under the Hall of Fame goaltender for two seasons with the Quebec Remparts.
However, that didn't stop Roy from being critical and completely destroyed Duclair's play after the loss to the Lightning.
«He was God-awful,» Roy said. «He had a bad game. That's why I didn't play him a lot. He is lucky to be in the lineup. Sorry if I lose it on him right now, but that's just how I feel.
«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 I think it's an effort thing.»
«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 I think it's an effort thing.»
In 607 NHL games with the Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes and the Rangers, he has 153 goals and 314 points.
Duclair was selected by the Rangers in the third round (No. 80 overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Rangers as a 19-year-old during the 2014-15 season, but he only played a total of 18 games.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 4 | 941 ANSWERS Former New York Rangers steps away from the NHL following harsh criticism from head coach Would you agree with Patrick Roy's statement regarding Anthony Declair? | ||
| Yes | 652 | 69.3 % |
| No | 289 | 30.7 % |
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