Greater than as soon as Thursday morning, Anthony Duclair described his situation as ”ok to play” — and practically a full month after his return from a suspected groin damage, it served to substantiate what anybody watching can see.
Duclair, the Islanders’ marquee July 1 signing, isn’t himself.
He’s not skating with the facility or velocity typical to his sport, and he’s not taking part in with the kind of impression the Isles want from him.
Thursday’s sport towards the Flyers was the second in a row by which Patrick Roy had him on the third line, which the pinnacle coach mentioned was about attempting to present him rather less accountability within the hopes that he can get well some rhythm.
“It’s tough,” Duclair mentioned earlier than the Isles misplaced, 5-3, to the Flyers. “It’s tough. Trying my best, but the game’s based on speed. The way I skate is a lot of power, obviously using a lot of my legs. With my injury, it was tough to come back. Still feeling it. I’m not using it as an excuse at all. I think I just need to play better.”
Evidently, this isn’t how anybody figured the primary of a four-year deal for Duclair would go on Lengthy Island.
The Islanders can’t plead ignorance on Duclair’s damage historical past, however he’s typically remained a productive purpose scorer regardless of that.
To date this 12 months, he’s put the puck within the web 3 times in 15 video games, with no factors in any respect in eight straight after Thursday.
Duclair wouldn’t instantly reply whether or not he’s nonetheless taking part in by means of ache proper now, solely repeating that he’s feeling ok to play, however that was an admission unto itself.
“I had that conversation with him about being a little stronger on the wall and his compete level,” Roy mentioned. “Be more cautious of the puck management and the entry and stuff like this. Make it more simple.”
Roy mentioned he thought the referees dealt with Max Tsyplakov’s hit on Ryan Poehling early in Thursday’s sport accurately by initially giving Tsyplakov a significant penalty, then reversing the decision upon evaluate.
“I understand John [Tortorella] to be mad about seeing his player being hurt, but at the same time, I agree with the call on the ice,” Roy mentioned. “I saw the exact same thing as the referees.”
Ilya Sorokin returned to the Islanders’ crease Thursday after lacking the previous two video games with an sickness.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who was out Tuesday night time with an sickness, was additionally again.
Alexander Romanov (higher physique) was a full-contact participant in Thursday morning’s skate, however missed the sport and remained day-to-day.
Simon Holmstrom (higher physique) skated with the crew in an orange non-contact jersey for the primary time since getting damage.
