Chicago Blackhawks: Anthony Duclair Will Be A Steal
The Chicago Blackhawks may have just acquired the steal of the NHL trade deadline before a flurry of action got started
The Chicago Blackhawks acquired winger Anthony Duclair late on Wednesday night along with defenseman Adam Clendening from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for winger Richard Panik and prospect Laurent Dauphin. After coming to the team in the Keith Yandle traded, the forward had asked for a trade from the perennial bottom-dwelling Coyotes. Duclair now finds himself on a potential Stanley Cup contender.
Duclair is only 22-years-old and is a restricted free agent at the end of the season but has substantial offensive upside. He’s only two years removed from a 20-goal season, finishing the 2015-16 season with 44 points. Since the 2015-16 season, Duclair has played 91 games but only managed 14 goals and 30 points. Despite the recent offensive struggles, he has the potential to be a major contributor to Chicago’s top-six forward group.
More from Puck Prose
- Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
- This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
- 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
- 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
- This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings
It’s hard to fault a young player for struggling to reach his full potential while being stuck in Arizona. In the history of the franchise success stories have been few and far between. Things appear to be no different regarding his situation.
Duclair and Max Domi lit the hockey world on fire when they first broke into the league full time in the 2015-16 season. Both were members of Canada’s 2015 gold medal-winning world juniors team and entered the season with a decent amount of hype.
However, once opposing teams realized the Coyotes had nothing else to worry about offensively besides the duo, the pair haven’t performed at the level they are capable of.
With Duclair joining a roster featuring Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Brandon Saad, and Patrick Sharp, he’ll no longer be the main focal point of any opposing team’s game plan. He will be able to fly under the radar and will no doubt receive significantly less defensive pressure.
The price Chicago paid to acquire Duclair would be classified as minimal at best. Panik was a hard-working forward but hardly someone who wasn’t expendable. As for Dauphin, this will be his second stint with the Coyotes in his young career and a small price to pay for a potential 20-goal scorer in Duclair.
The Blackhawks managed to save cap space, get younger, and receive greater offensive talent at a time when the franchise has their backs against the wall with the salary cap. If Duclair even shows a hint of the player he was during the 2015-16 season than this will be a massive victory for Chicago.
Next: Each NHL Team's New Year's Resolution
Arizona has been a horrible franchise for years and as a result many general managers may have grossly undervalued Duclair. Time will tell but the Blackhawks may have swooped in and stolen the best player available prior to the 2018 trade deadline.