Duclair reveals the extent of his injury that plagued first NY Islanders season

The New York Islanders’ annual charity golf outing at Glenn Oakes offered more than just a day on the course—it marked the first time forward Anthony Duclair spoke publicly since a turbulent end to last season. Duclair, who signed a four-year deal with the Islanders last summer, endured a challenging first year on Long Island, battling through a serious groin injury and the fallout of pointed postgame remarks from head coach Patrick Roy.

Duclair revealed the extent of the injury he suffered in just his fifth game with the Isles, describing how it set the tone for the remainder of his season. “Obviously, we know the injury. I tore my groin right off the bone, fifth game of the year,” Duclair explained. “I just feel like I came back too early. Got back skating too early, skated with the team too early, ended up playing too early. It hindered me the rest of the season, and I basically played on one leg.”

His struggles led Roy to criticize his play after an April 2 game in Tampa, comments that raised eyebrows when the veteran coach called him “god-awful.” With just 11 points in 44 games, Duclair admitted he wasn’t himself but emphasized he was competing through pain.

This summer, Roy drove to Montreal to meet Duclair in person, a gesture the forward deeply appreciated. “I talked to Patty. Patty reached out… He apologized for his comments. I told him I didn’t need an apology. I just needed him to know I was playing hurt,” Duclair said. “I think it was just a miscommunication by everybody. He thought I was playing at 100 percent, which I wasn’t.”

Roy echoed that sentiment, admitting his frustration in the moment didn’t help the situation. “It went really, really well,” Roy said of their meeting. “Sometimes in an emotional game you say things. But it’s behind me now. I want Anthony to be who he was before he got hurt.”

Now healthy, Duclair is determined to bounce back and show the speed and skill that earned him his contract. “My speed and skating are my No. 1 asset,” Duclair said. “I’m in a good place, and I’ll be ready for Game 1.”