Word broke yesterday that Coyotes winger Anthony Duclair had requested a trade. Despite the fact that he has struggled for the most part this season and did not play well in 2016-17, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported in an interview with TSN 1200 (audio link) that GM John Chayka is seeking either a comparably-aged player in a similar situation or a draft pick with the initial price believed to be as high as a second-rounder.
The first of those two options is palatable as that would make it a swap of underachieving players who could use a change of scenery and deals like that have happened with some frequency over the years. Getting a second-round pick for someone who has been a healthy scratch recently is a tough ask though, even if Duclair is still just 22 with a 20-goal season under his belt already.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported in a radio hit with Sportsnet 590 (audio link) that there hasn’t been much interest in Duclair throughout the league. He adds that though the request was only made public on Thursday, teams have known about it since at least November. Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports adds that the winger has been available considerably longer than that, stating that he has been available for over a year now. Accordingly, Friedman notes that the asking price has dropped over time but clearly, there hasn’t been the right fit yet.
One team that isn’t believed to have interest is the Calgary Flames. Friedman theorized that there could be a connection with them since Don Maloney, a pro scout with the Flames, was the GM with the Coyotes at the time that Duclair was brought over from the Rangers as part of a trade for defenseman Keith Yandle. However, it doesn’t appear there’s any traction on a deal with them. He adds that Montreal doesn’t appear to have much interest at this time as well as their focus is on finding a fit down the middle. Meanwhile, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Penguins don’t appear to be interested either.
Duclair is playing on a one-year, $1.2MM contract and will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights in the summer. The arbitration rights probably don’t help his value either as if Duclair were to struggle, they may serve as a deterrent to a qualifying offer which presents the potential of him working out more as a rental player than someone that could be a longer-term piece. That makes acquiring him a higher-risk (albeit with the potential for a higher-reward) proposition, one that other teams haven’t had the appetite to do just yet.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Vesey for Duclair. Boom done.
Not even close. No boom.
Lol what.
Don’t do drugs kids
If the Yotes threw something in I’d give them Spooner.
No way….Spoons is way lots better & starting to come on….Duclair is a 4th liner at best
Way lots?
Not too many 20 goal 4th liners in the league.
No point in commenting with children.
Ehh…I know this is bit of a stretch but how about Duclair for Girgensons? Yes, Duclair has scored more than Z over the past two seasons but the potential is definitely there. He has been relegated to 3rd/4th line minutes in Phil Housley’s lineup but has shown more prowess when playing with Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart in the past. For Duclair, well on paper is makes sense, as long as he is willing to play on the left. Buffalo needs scoring and he may be able to provide it. Girgensons provides versatility and plays more of the rugged style thatTocchet is looking for.