NY Islanders head coach Patrick Roy says Anthony Duclair will start camp on top line

The NY Islanders were all together today for the first time at the organizations annual golf outing ahead of training camp which is set to begin on Thursday.

Anthony Duclair and Maxim Tsyplakov will be attending their first Islanders training camp, with the staff having high hopes of both emerging as the goal-scoring winger the team has been missing. 

Both are options to stick alongside Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat on the wing of the top line, but it appears as if Duclair will have the first crack at the position.

Duclair to have first shot to play on the top line

“I’m very happy to see Anthony join the team,” Head Coach Patrick Roy said before today’s outing. “He brings speed to our team. We’ll try him at the beginning with Bo and Barzy and see how it goes and we’ll go from there.”

Duclair of course played junior hockey with the Quebec Remparts under Roy, with Roy personally reaching out to him expressing his desire for Duclair to sign with the Islanders.

While Duclair may be getting the first look at the top line, Roy is still thrilled by the addition of Tsyplakov.

“I’m curious to see Max Tsyplakov in training camp,” said Roy. “He made such a great impression at the rookie camp so I’m curious to see him with the guys and see how he handles that.

While the Islanders still don’t have that game-breaking winger capable of putting up 40 goals, they now have options along with Barzal having a full season under his belt playing the wing.