Anthony Duclair’s hat-trick last night against the Anaheim Ducks has Rangers fans not wanting to get out of bed this morning.
By Patrick Comia
Once upon a time, Anthony Duclair was once a third round draft choice of the Rangers, selected in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
There was promise of the then-18-year-old making it big in Broadway.
However, Alain Vigneault never consistently got him in the lineup. And it was a tough one to crack back then.
Rick Nash, Chris Kreider, Carl Hagelin, Tanner Glass all on the LW…Wait Tanner Glass?
Entertaining the notion on the right wing?
Well, that was stacked with talent too: Mats Zuccarello, J.T. Miller, Jesper Fast, Martin St. Louis.
Yes, it seemed that there was no room for the young lad in New York.
So what did then-general manager Glen Sather do?
Trade him to the Arizona Coyotes, of course, as part of a package that saw defenseman Keith Yandle come to the Rangers blue line.
And Yandle has been good for the Blueshirts, for the most part. But, Duclair is making a statement out West that might be making some executives smack their foreheads and knees shake.
The young man already is a point-per-game producer for the Coyotes, having scored five points (three goals, two assists) in three games. And, he’s scored against playoff-caliber teams in the Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Stanley Cup favorite Anaheim Ducks.
In addition, he has a three-game point streak and is a +5, during the team’s undefeated stretch to begin the season.
Here are his latest exploits from last night:
1) Goal- first period at 3:16
2) Power Play Goal- first period at 9:55
3) Goal- second period at 10:57
If you’re wondering, Duclair will meet his former team next week for a Coyotes home game. Imagine, if he pulls this off against Henrik Lundqvist, New York will burn.
Sounds like it will be a grand ‘ol time!
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