2013 NHL Draft - Pick #80 - Anthony Duclair - Signs ELC with NYR - 1/2/14

[JohnC]

Not sure if posted

http://blueshirtsunited.com/videos/3640/getting-to-know-anthony-duclair#.UdD1WPmsiSo

 

[Machinehead]

By far our best pick. Has a legit chance to make the NHL I think. Getting a guy with a decent chance at 80 is nice.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I hate hearing that a prospect was once seen as a first rounder. It means that he slipped once he had the light shined on him.

People who were seen as first rounders who slipped (e.g., McColgan, Grachev) are much, much less likely to succeed than guys who came out of nowhere to be drafted in a "too high" position with everyone screaming Who?! Why?! (e.g., Stepan, Chara).

Your theory on the light shinning seems solid but do you have anything more than a 4 player cherry picked sample to confirm that 2nd paragraph?

 

[Clown Fiesta]

Kid can flat out skate.

 

[StepansLabyrinth]

But we still have not addressed the lack of compete that this team has.

Fast and somewhat talented, but still soft as baby crap.

This past season, we were 3rd in the league in hits. 6th in blocked shots. Bottom of the third of the league in fighting, but does that really determine team "toughness"?

Unless you're meaning soft as in "unable to control/win the puck along the boards". There I sort of agree but Boston, who I think is the best at that style of play, lost to a Chicago team that depended more on individual skill. The Hawks were 21st in hits and LAST in blocked shots (and fought less than us). Where they really excelled was in takeaways (lead the league) and scoring.

Traditional toughness really isn't as important as I think some fans imply. Toronto lead the league in fighting and hitting but does anyone outside of that city really consider that roster as cup worthy?

Teams like Chicago and Pittsburgh and the recentish Detroit squads won cups because they had the ability to score and control the game with the puck on their sticks. We should try to draft players that can develop into scoring forwards and puck winning defensemen with sound defensive technique. Drafting for toughness drafts a lot of Hugh Jessimans.

 

[Rangers79]

No, you need to hit and be tough and block shots and...wait...

 

[Beacon]

Your theory on the light shinning seems solid but do you have anything more than a 4 player cherry picked sample to confirm that 2nd paragraph?

It happens every year. I looked at it before in one of the threads about a year ago, but if you research it, every time someone collapses, there's always a reason for it. At least when Chara was drafted in the third round, it was because nobody saw him and Milbury took a stab at him by watching a video where he saw a 6-foot-9 kid skate like a professional figure skater.

What's the reason for kids to fall from the first round to the third or later? Either they stopped progressing or suddenly massive flaws were discovered. You don't just slip 50-100 spots for no reason.

 

[Machinehead]

This past season, we were 3rd in the league in hits. 6th in blocked shots. Bottom of the third of the league in fighting, but does that really determine team "toughness"?

Unless you're meaning soft as in "unable to control/win the puck along the boards". There I sort of agree but Boston, who I think is the best at that style of play, lost to a Chicago team that depended more on individual skill. The Hawks were 21st in hits and LAST in blocked shots (and fought less than us). Where they really excelled was in takeaways (lead the league) and scoring.

Traditional toughness really isn't as important as I think some fans imply. Toronto lead the league in fighting and hitting but does anyone outside of that city really consider that roster as cup worthy?

Teams like Chicago and Pittsburgh and the recentish Detroit squads won cups because they had the ability to score and control the game with the puck on their sticks. We should try to draft players that can develop into scoring forwards and puck winning defensemen with sound defensive technique. Drafting for toughness drafts a lot of Hugh Jessimans.

Hockey skill is absolutely more important than being able to punch people, no question, but we shouldn't be physically intimidated either. Boston treated us like little boys.

 

[mike14]

Does anyone know if the 'character issues' in the scouting reports are just in relation to the almost suspension linked on the last page, or were there more issues throughout the season?

 

[Clown Fiesta]

Does anyone know if the 'character issues' in the scouting reports are just in relation to the almost suspension linked on the last page, or were there more issues throughout the season?

Think it was an isolated incident of boys being boys. That got blown out of proportion.

Actually, pretty excited about this pick. Think he has some very solid potential, that and his dad being a huge Rangers fan might be the extra motivation he needs to straighten up, although he seemed like a nice kid when Cerny talked to him. So it may not be an issue at all. But wanting to make dad proud might really get him going.

Veterans and the coaching staff of the Quebec Remparts felt that the time of individualism is over and this is why Anthony Duclair and Adam Erne were suspended internally, at least for a training and a game.

"We believe that we are not all on the same page and what we want is a team concept, explained Patrick Roy. This is a life lesson for these young men and I hope they will grow out of it. They will not play Sunday, then we'll see. "
Quote:
Roy who demanded more leadership in the dressing room, believes it is his duty to support the suggestion of his seven veterans.

"My job is to support them and be with them, told Roy about its leaders. I want to collaborate with them and I will endorse their decision. At some point, the veterans can talk, if they (Erne and Duclair) do not listen, it becomes a problem."

"We had already had a meeting, but this time, many things are out and we had to take this decision. Duclair took it very badly, but I do not know in the case of Erne. It is disappointing to have to live it, but in the end, this may be what will make us a better team. "

Remparts' captain Martin Lefebvre added this. "We want everyone to play for the logo of the Remparts, he said. We will not accept people who think about their little person first. It is a message we want to send them. The problem is not new, but this is where we are now. It takes 20 players that push in the same direction. "

http://www.journaldequebec.com/2013/...erne-suspendus

Snagged it from here http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=1327541

Seems the article is old, and probably taken down.

 

[Fitzy]

I remember after his season last year as a 16 year old he was being talked about as a top ten pick... it was just one of those situations where he took a step back this year production-wise.

Still, he is young from what I hear. There is a place in this league for guys who can skate of any skill set.

 

[Clown Fiesta]

I remember after his season last year as a 16 year old he was being talked about as a top ten pick... it was just one of those situations where he took a step back this year production-wise.

Still, he is young from what I hear. There is a place in this league for guys who can skate of any skill set.

Still only 17, Clark said the had an eye on half a dozen underage kids and that each one of them regressed a bit in their 2nd year.

 

[Fitzy]

Hope he does better than McColgan, who put up basically the same numbers 4 straight years in Junior.

 

[eco's bones]

This past season, we were 3rd in the league in hits. 6th in blocked shots. Bottom of the third of the league in fighting, but does that really determine team "toughness"?

Unless you're meaning soft as in "unable to control/win the puck along the boards". There I sort of agree but Boston, who I think is the best at that style of play, lost to a Chicago team that depended more on individual skill. The Hawks were 21st in hits and LAST in blocked shots (and fought less than us). Where they really excelled was in takeaways (lead the league) and scoring.

Traditional toughness really isn't as important as I think some fans imply. Toronto lead the league in fighting and hitting but does anyone outside of that city really consider that roster as cup worthy?

Teams like Chicago and Pittsburgh and the recentish Detroit squads won cups because they had the ability to score and control the game with the puck on their sticks. We should try to draft players that can develop into scoring forwards and puck winning defensemen with sound defensive technique. Drafting for toughness drafts a lot of Hugh Jessimans.

You look at what Boston and Chicago have on their bottom lines. They are gritty and ferocious. Boston ate us up. And it wasn't just Campbell's line. We couldn't match either Marchand's agitating or Lucic's brute force and both of those guys are really good players even without those qualities. Nor did we have anyone as intimidating as Chara on our back line (maybe McIlrath one day) but even more Boychuk and McQuaid were more physical than anyone on our D.

And when it comes to actually fighting their guys are tougher than our guys and it factors in to the comfort level (for good or bad) of either team--the winning of territory and puck battles. They outmatched us to a degree in skill but they dominated us physically and territorially.

 

[Clown Fiesta]

You look at what Boston and Chicago have on their bottom lines. They are gritty and ferocious. Boston ate us up. And it wasn't just Campbell's line. We couldn't match either Marchand's agitating or Lucic's brute force and both of those guys are really good players even without those qualities. Nor did we have anyone as intimidating as Chara on our back line (maybe McIlrath one day) but even more Boychuk and McQuaid were more physical than anyone on our D.

And when it comes to actually fighting their guys are tougher than our guys and it factors in to the comfort level (for good or bad) of either team--the winning of territory and puck battles. They outmatched us to a degree in skill but they dominated us physically and territorially.

Need to have a combination of all of these things, Chicago was heavily out matched in the "brute force" category but speed and skill carried them through. They have some big guys and some agitators but let's not pretend they really come close to matching up with either LA or Boston in the physicality department.

 

[SergeConstantin74]

Think it was an isolated incident of boys being boys. That got blown out of proportion.

Actually, pretty excited about this pick. Think he has some very solid potential, that and his dad being a huge Rangers fan might be the extra motivation he needs to straighten up, although he seemed like a nice kid when Cerny talked to him. So it may not be an issue at all. But wanting to make dad proud might really get him going.




http://www.journaldequebec.com/2013/...erne-suspendus

Snagged it from here http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=1327541

Seems the article is old, and probably taken down.

After this incident, Quebec went on winning a lot of games against the top teams in the league, even Halifax. And a month after that, I saw Duclair hanging out downtown with some of the players who reportedly wanted to suspend him. So I think that eveything got sorted out not long after the almost suspension. They were in a really bad stretch when it happened. They had lost their leader (Grigorenko) and it's like everybody on the team started thinking they couldn't win without him.

Duclair played a lot better in the 2nd part of the season though and I really liked him during the playoffs.

Physically, he has a lot of potential. He was 158 lbs two years ago and he gained 22 lbs last summer. He could be 190-195 by the beginning of next season.

His point production took a hit this season because he didn't play with Grigorenko. Last year he was on the 1st line with Grigorenko and Roy but this season, after his injury, he played with Etchegary and Bergeron. His injury also hurt his game. He was always going to the net before but he got hurt doing this and it took him almost all of the season to lose the fear of getting hurt again.

 

[Clown Fiesta]

After this incident, Quebec went on winning a lot of games against the top teams in the league, even Halifax. And a month after that, I saw Duclair hanging out downtown with some of the players who reportedly wanted to suspend him. So I think that eveything got sorted out not long after the almost suspension. They were in a really bad stretch when it happened. They had lost their leader (Grigorenko) and it's like everybody on the team started thinking they couldn't win without him.

Duclair played a lot better in the 2nd part of the season though and I really liked him during the playoffs.

Physically, he has a lot of potential. He was 158 lbs two years ago and he gained 22 lbs last summer. He could be 190-195 by the beginning of next season.

His point production took a hit this season because he didn't play with Grigorenko. Last year he was on the 1st line with Grigorenko and Roy but this season, after his injury, he played with Etchegary and Bergeron. His injury also hurt his game. He was always going to the net before but he got hurt doing this and it took him almost all of the season to lose the fear of getting hurt again.

Nice always good to hear from people that get to watch these kids on a regular basis. Pretty much what everyone else has said about him too, I understand he's not a product of Grigorenko as well right? We're not talking Radulov/Esposito or anything right?

Why do you think he fell, or do you think that was about right? He was talked about at one point as a top ten pick but that could have been fanatical Remparts fans... But I think he was a considered a late 1st or 2nd rounder.

 

[SergeConstantin74]

I've never seen him ranked as a top ten pick so I don't don't where you saw it.

His hockey sense isn't one of his best assets and he's under 6'0, so that's two strikes against him for the first round. But I think he would have been a second rounder without the attitude concerns. The bad attitude was definitely there this season. However, I think he learned his lesson. He'll have a new coach in Quebec next season so we'll see how it goes(Philippe Boucher, former NHL defenseman). Roy was going to take him with the Avalanche's next pick so it must not be that bad.

I feel like he undeservedly got way more bricks thrown his way this season compared to his teammate Adam Erne. Erne finished with more points but if you look closer, you understand why. Erne played with Grigorenko in the first part of the season. He got 18 goals and 26 assists (44 points) in 31 games playing with Grigorenko. After Grigs left, he only got 8 goals and 18 assists (26 points) in 36 games without him.

The potential is there but he needs work on his mental and his game. As a comparison, I always thought he looked like a Evander Kane-light on the ice. Duclair himself compared his game to Kane's.

 

[slipknottin]

As a comparison, I always thought he looked like a Evander Kane-light on the ice. Duclair himself compared his game to Kane's.

I like the Simmonds comparison better. Don't think he is capable of ever filling out like Kane.

 

[Clown Fiesta]

I've never seen him ranked as a top ten pick so I don't don't where you saw it.

His hockey sense isn't one of his best assets and he's under 6'0, so that's two strikes against him for the first round. But I think he would have been a second rounder without the attitude concerns. The bad attitude was definitely there this season. However, I think he learned his lesson. He'll have a new coach in Quebec next season so we'll see how it goes(Philippe Boucher, former NHL defenseman). Roy was going to take him with the Avalanche's next pick so it must not be that bad.

I feel like he undeservedly got way more bricks thrown his way this season compared to his teammate Adam Erne. Erne finished with more points but if you look closer, you understand why. Erne played with Grigorenko in the first part of the season. He got 18 goals and 26 assists (44 points) in 31 games playing with Grigorenko. After Grigs left, he only got 8 goals and 18 assists (26 points) in 36 games without him.

The potential is there but he needs work on his mental and his game. As a comparison, I always thought he looked like a Evander Kane-light on the ice. Duclair himself compared his game to Kane's.

Pretty sure I saw it on HF, but like I said I think it was early in his rookie season and probably fanatical Remparts fans.

I like the Simmonds comparison better. Don't think he is capable of ever filling out like Kane.

He's been likened to Evander Kane on multiple sites, I don't know if it's there or not, but I don't like the Simmonds comparison either. A lot of people compare him to Grabner probably based on the speed.

He's not as tall as Kane, but Kane hovers around 200 lbs, don't think he's done filling out either but neither is Duclair like Serge said he could be 195lbs by the start of next season. Maybe he'll grow an inch or two as well. He is only 17 albeit just for another month or so.

 

[SergeConstantin74]

On the Ivan Hlinka roster last summer, he was listed at 5'11 1/2 and 182 lbs.

 

[hockey365]

Folks should look at this kid's past 3 yrs and not just his draft year. If he had consistant down years, I would be worried as well. But 1 bad year does not make him a bust.

Bantam AA at 14: MVP of his league, led the province in points, goals & +/- (source wikipedia page)

Midget AAA at 15: Rookie of the year, led all rookies in goals & +/-

Major Junior, 1st year: 66 points of which 31 goals and led all rookies with +38. (BTW, same amount of goals as Mackinnon had his 1st year!)

Major Junior 2nd year: Still had over +20 and racked up 50 points in 55 games. For a so called "down year" he still maintained almost a point a game.

I've been watching this kid, since he was 12 yrs old, he's been gritty, fearless, skilled, speedy and has a strong desire to win. He had 1 bad year and seems have learned from it. I expect nothing but the "old self" to come back and to focus on making the Rangers a winning team.

He is the steal of this year's draft, give him time to grow and to mature, and you'll have a Callahan with more speed and skills in your hands.

BTW, Callahan is listed at 5"11, 190lbs!!! Why the knock on this kid's size at 17???? He's 5"11 180lbs. At 16, he began with the Remparts at 159lbs. He gained 20lbs in 1 summer, knowing he was too light, I would think he would gain another 15-20lbs for next season.

I saw his interview, and he's happy to be a NY Rangers and it seems, he does not hide the fact that he had a sub-season and wants to ammend. So, you have someone with character and with the desire to do what it takes to make this team a success.

I know for a fact that this kid does not spend time at home in Montreal in summers, he goes to Toronto and seeks the best trainers to help him get better. So, work ethic is part of his fabric.

Also, I'm of the opinion that this kid's ankle sprain slowed his game down last season. He came back after 5 weeks. Usually, the type of injury that he suffered, takes about 3 months to recover. So, when he came back, it took him another month to adjust and to regain his speed, by then, the rest of the class were way ahead and the season was over.....

Bottom line, I believe you'll get a finished product in Duclair, at 6"0 - 6"1, 210 lbs, by the time he's 21-22 yrs old. Skating speed/agility like Pavel Bure with a Sakic shot and a desire to compete every night. But today, he's 17 yrs old and 10.5 months, one of the babies in this draft, give him a year and we'll reconveine here to discuss

 

[LetterJ]

I've never seen him ranked as a top ten pick so I don't don't where you saw it.

The Hockey News 2012 Draft Preview, 2013 Sneak Peek: #1 Seth Jones, #2 Nathan MacKinnon, #3 Sean Monahan, #4 Aleksander Barkov, #5 Hunter Shinkaruk, #6 Robert Hagg, #7 Valeri Nichushskin, #8 Elias Lindholm, #9 Adam Erne, and #10 Anthony Duclair.

It also says about Duclair: 5'11", 159. Slender playmaker kept it going in the post-season.


Erne fell in the draft hard as well (ranked #13 in THN 2013), so I have to wonder how much the incident with he and Duclair affected their draft stock.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Folks should look at this kid's past 3 yrs and not just his draft year. If he had consistant down years, I would be worried as well. But 1 bad year does not make him a bust.

Bantam AA at 14: MVP of his league, led the province in points, goals & +/- (source wikipedia page)

Midget AAA at 15: Rookie of the year, led all rookies in goals & +/-

Major Junior, 1st year: 66 points of which 31 goals and led all rookies with +38. (BTW, same amount of goals as Mackinnon had his 1st year!)

Major Junior 2nd year: Still had over +20 and racked up 50 points in 55 games. For a so called "down year" he still maintained almost a point a game.

I've been watching this kid, since he was 12 yrs old, he's been gritty, fearless, skilled, speedy and has a strong desire to win. He had 1 bad year and seems have learned from it. I expect nothing but the "old self" to come back and to focus on making the Rangers a winning team.

He is the steal of this year's draft, give him time to grow and to mature, and you'll have a Callahan with more speed and skills in your hands.

BTW, Callahan is listed at 5"11, 190lbs!!! Why the knock on this kid's size at 17???? He's 5"11 180lbs. At 16, he began with the Remparts at 159lbs. He gained 20lbs in 1 summer, knowing he was too light, I would think he would gain another 15-20lbs for next season.

I saw his interview, and he's happy to be a NY Rangers and it seems, he does not hide the fact that he had a sub-season and wants to ammend. So, you have someone with character and with the desire to do what it takes to make this team a success.

I know for a fact that this kid does not spend time at home in Montreal in summers, he goes to Toronto and seeks the best trainers to help him get better. So, work ethic is part of his fabric.

Also, I'm of the opinion that this kid's ankle sprain slowed his game down last season. He came back after 5 weeks. Usually, the type of injury that he suffered, takes about 3 months to recover. So, when he came back, it took him another month to adjust and to regain his speed, by then, the rest of the class were way ahead and the season was over.....

Bottom line, I believe you'll get a finished product in Duclair, at 6"0 - 6"1, 210 lbs, by the time he's 21-22 yrs old. Skating speed/agility like Pavel Bure with a Sakic shot and a desire to compete every night. But today, he's 17 yrs old and 10.5 months, one of the babies in this draft, give him a year and we'll reconveine here to discuss

LOL, if he will have Bure's skating and Sakic's shot he'll be one of the greatest players of all time.

 

[Inferno]

LOL, if he will have Bure's skating and Sakic's shot he'll be one of the greatest players of all time.

just gotta give him Gretzkys passing ability and hockey iq.