Summer Reconciliation in Old Westbury
In Old Westbury, New York, a summer reconciliation unfolded between Patrick Roy, the Hall of Fame goaltender and current head coach of the New York Islanders, and winger Anthony Duclair after Roy’s harsh criticisms of Duclair’s performance last season. Amid a challenging phase late in the season, Roy publicly described Duclair’s skating as ‘god-awful’ and noted he was underperforming in the aftermath of a crucial loss in early April. Following that episode, Duclair opted to take a leave of absence, not participating in any further games for the season.
Constructive Conversations
According to Duclair, the two reached out to one another over the summer, with Roy even driving to Duclair’s offseason residence in Montreal to express remorse. Their conversation appears to have been constructive, with both expressing a desire to move forward. Duclair shared insights from their talk, emphasizing that he had been struggling with a significant groin injury that limited his performance—a fact that Roy hadn’t fully grasped at the time.
“I shared with him that I didn’t necessarily need an acknowledgment but felt it was essential for him to understand I was playing hurt, and he didn’t realize how extensive the injury was,”
explained Duclair during his attendance at the Islanders’ charity golf event.
Reflections and Regrets
Following their candid conversation, Roy remarked that it had gone exceptionally well and expressed regret over his earlier comments.
“Emotions can lead to hasty statements in this sport, and my remarks didn’t yield any positive benefit for our team,”
he reflected.
“Looking back, I sense I may have inadvertently let Anthony down as he trusted my guidance.”
Challenges and Recovery
Duclair, now 30, reflects on a challenging recovery journey. After suffering a severe groin injury that completely detached the muscle from the bone last October, he faced a protracted healing process. Last season, after starting strong with two goals in only five games, his performance dwindled to just five goals and four assists over the next 39 games, culminating in Roy’s unsparing critique regarding his efforts on the ice.
Looking Ahead
“This is a performance-based industry, and while expectations are high for both the team and individual players, I’m eager to put the past behind me and focus on the upcoming season,”
Roy stated, hopeful that Duclair could recapture the excellent form he exhibited prior to his injury.
Duclair had a productive stint with the San Jose Sharks and Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2023-24 season, netting 24 goals, which helped him land a four-year, $14 million deal with the Islanders as a free agent. With his rehabilitation progressing, he is determined to arrive fully fit for the start of the new season.
“My primary goal is to be ready for Game 1 of the regular season and take full advantage of the training camp and preseason to achieve that,”
he affirmed. Roy anticipates that Duclair will likely begin the upcoming training camp playing alongside Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Simon Holmstrom on the third line.
