NY Islanders Head Coach Patrick Roy is disappointed in Anthony Duclair's play

When the NY Islanders signed Anthony Duclair over the summer, he appeared destined to play consistent minutes among the top-6 forwards, and was expected to bring additional scoring to an Islanders team that has struggled to fill the net. But that is far from the player we've seen on the ice this season.

It's safe to call Duclair's play a disappointment this season, and now Patrick Roy has laid into his winger over his recent play.

"He was godawful," Roy said of Duclair in the Isles' 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. "He had a bad game, and that's why I didn't play him a lot. He's lucky to be in the lineup. Sorry if I lose it on him right now, but that's how I feel."

Duclair started the game on a line with JG Pageau and Simon Holmstrom, but took a team-low 12 shifts on the night for a total of 12:15 of ice-time.

"He's not skating, he's not competing, he's not moving his feet," Roy said. "He's not playing up to what we expect from him."

Through 43 games this season, Duclair has totaled just 11 points (7 G, 4 A). In his first game in blue and orange, Duclair scored a goal and added an assist, off to a fantastic start and hoping that he had found a permanent home after playing for eight other teams in his 10-year career. But what appeared to be a groin injury suffered after five games saw him hit the shelf for over two months. Since the time Duclair hasn't looked himself.

Duclair credits Roy as the reason he signed a four-year contract with the Islanders, re-connecting with his old coach from his days with the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL.

"When a coach calls you and tells you he wants you on his team, it's hard to say no," Duclair said after inking his deal with the Isles.

Whether Duclair's poor play is due to a lingering injury or not, his play has not been satisfactory for a team fighting for a playoff position. With the Isles' participation in the postseason looking less likely, Roy may take the opportunity to sit Duclair for a game or possibly more.