Just before being traded from Columbus to Ottawa at the deadline last season, Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella publicly criticized Anthony Duclair saying he "doesn't know how to play." Duclair seems to be enjoying proving Tortorella wrong as he's been thriving in Ottawa since the trade. Duclair told reporters this week coaches that believe in you make a big difference.
"I think so. It's obviously the most opportunity I've ever had since I came in the league," said Duclair, when asked if he's playing the best hockey of his career right now. "(Ottawa coach) D.J. (Smith) and his staff have done an unbelievable job to keep faith in me. It's nice to play for coaches that believe in you, and when you make a mistake you're not getting crucified on the bench. You're going right back out there and proving them wrong. I'm just happy to get the opportunity here with the Senators."
Duclair currently has nine goals and 13 points in 22 games with the Senators. The 24-year-old only had 11 goals and 19 points with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 53 games last season. His best season in the NHL so far came in 2015-16 when he played 81 games for Arizona, putting up 20 goals and 24 assists for 44 points. Those are career highs in all three categories. If he continues his current pace, he's heading towards new career highs in at least a couple of those categories this season. Earlier this week, in a Senators 4-3 win over Detroit, Duclair had two goals and an assist.
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