Patrick Roy lays into godawful Anthony Duclair after latest NY Islanders loss

It had already been a season to forget for New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair and that was before his head coach called him publicly out and questioned his work ethic.

Following the Islanders sixth straight loss (0-4-2), head coach Patrick Roy didn't hold back, saying that Duclair was "godawful" and that he's "lucky to be in the lineup" according to NY Post beat writer Ethan Sears' post on X. Roy also added that he thinks "it's an effort thing" saying, "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.”

Duclair had two goals in his first four games of the season, but then injured his groin on Oct. 19 at home versus the Montreal Candiens. He didn't return to the lineup until Dec. 21, but hasn't been the same and has only four goals and seven assists in 44 games this season. He's in the first year of a four-year deal with the Isles, with an AAV of $3.5M.

While this is the first year for Duclair on Long Island, he has a history with Roy, who coached him on the Quebec Remparts of the in Juniors. Entering free agency and looking for a long-term home after bouncing around the league for years, Duclair chose to play for his former coach, who expressed a desire to see him on the Isles roster this season. "He gave me a call this morning and told me that he wanted me," Duclair said after signing. "And when a coach calls you and tells you he wants you on his team, it's hard to say no, especially when it's Pat."

Duclair is a better player than he's shown. His year was thrown off both by his injury and by not playing with Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal, which was what was initially expected coming out of training camp. It's too late for the 29-year-old to turn around this season, but if he remains in the lineup, it would behoove him to do all he can to earn back the trust of his head coach.