Roy slams 'god-awful' Duclair: 'Lucky to be in the lineup'
New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy eviscerated forward Anthony Duclair's performance in Tuesday's loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
"He was god-awful," Roy said postgame, per Russ Macias of NYI Hockey Now. "He had a bad game, and that's why I didn't play him a lot. And he's lucky to be in the lineup. Sorry if I lose it on him, but that's how I feel."
The bench boss added: "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. It's an effort thing."
Duclair logged 12:15 in the contest, including only four shifts in the third period while the Islanders trailed. The winger was a minus-1 and credited with two shots, one block, one hit, and a giveaway.
The Islanders signed Duclair to a four-year, $14-million contract last offseason. He and Roy have a relationship dating back to their time with the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts, and Duclair credited Roy in the summer as a big reason for signing with New York.
Duclair has notched 11 points this season, with an injury limiting him to 43 games. He entered Tuesday's tilt with one goal over his previous 11 appearances.
The Islanders have lost six in a row and are five points back of a playoff spot with eight games remaining.