Anthony Duclair Would Be A Nice Signing For The New Jersey Devils
By Ken Jones
There are many free agents out there I hope the New Jersey Devils don’t sign. It’s not the strongest class, to put it mildly. But Anthony Duclair could be a good fit on Jersey’s Team. He’d be a nice signing.
The New Jersey Devils have considerable cap room. Many fans would love to see the organization make a big splash in free agency on July 1. Not me. I myself thought both John Tavares and John Carlson were free agents who were going to require 8+ year contractual terms, so I am glad they are both pretty much off the table for the Devils. Those long-term contracts are risky and often don’t work out.
Others in this year’s crop, like JVR and James Neal, are perhaps a bit older than the preferred target age for a team looking to make a strong run 2-3 years from now. Going into the signing period, my one priority relating to free agency was that it made sense to try and retain John Moore but, other than that, I was not terribly excited about the crop of available players.
That was, until a few days ago. I have to say that Chicago not tendering an offer to Anthony Duclair raised my eyebrows more than a little bit. That guy can, pure and simple, skate like the wind. He’s only 22 years of age. He earned an important role on the New York Rangers when they were a playoff team. Duclair also has a NHL 20 goal season in the desert on his resume. Add in some impressive moments with Max Domi in the World Junior Championships for Canada back in the day. There are plenty of players who never accomplish even that much during their entire NHL career.
Duclair is, pure and simple, fast. You can’t teach speed.
I get it, Duclair’s production the past year or two has gone down a notch. Maybe there are other issues there, but could his reduced performance be related to the fact Duclair was entrenched in the morass that is the Arizona Coyotes before being shipped off to a win-now club with a coach more focused on short-term results than development? That’s not beyond the realm of possibility. I’m willing to bet ADC has not been in the best situation as it relates to his personal development.
We all know that the New Jersey Devils have a coach in John Hynes with the ability and reputation of nurturing young players. He and Ray Shero place a premium on skating ability and speed. The Devils did just fine the last time they brought in a youthful player with that profile discarded from the ‘Yotes. (John Moore) Sometimes lightning can strike twice. I believe taking a flyer on Duclair in the hopes the speed-based system and philosophy of the Devils better suits the former Quebec Rempart star is well worth the risk.
I know there is talk about #91 landing with Pittsburgh, but here’s hoping Duclair comes to Newark. He’s a young, high potential player who could step right in for the Devils. He’d be an immediate contributor within their fast-paced environment. It would be great as a fan to add another speed burner with the skating skill of Miles Wood to the mix. Anthony Duclair would be a nice signing for sure.