Duclair asks Sens fans for tips on how to pass the time

Ottawa Senators winger Anthony Duclair is asking fans to help him get through his self-isolation.

Duclair, who led the Senators with 23 goals when the NHL suspended the season on March 12, provided a video update on his Twitter account (@aduclair10) Tuesday, explaining how he’s handling life in the novel coronavirus world.

While Duclair sounded as upbeat as possible given the circumstances, he’s open to hearing about new ways to pass the time.

“I like to watch a lot of movies, TV shows, documentaries, you name it,” he said of his viewing habits. “If you guys have any good suggestions, let me know.”

Typically, Senators players do their off-ice training at the Canadian Tire Centre during the season, but that option isn’t possible, so Duclair is doing what he can with the resources he has on hand in his Ottawa home.

“I like to go for walks around the neighbourhood,” he said as the camera panned to his makeshift home gym. “I don’t have too much equipment with me. I’ve got two yoga mats, a medicine ball and a weighted vest. I try to be as creative as I can in being active.”

Like the rest of us, Duclair’s sense of normalcy has disappeared. His routine of going to the rink for games, morning skates and off-day practices is gone. As is hanging out with his NHL peers.

“I also miss the boys a lot, just going to the rink and interacting with everyone,” he said.

If the season is over for the Senators, what happens next in Duclair’s career is somewhat uncertain. He signed a one-year, $1.65-million contract last June and is scheduled to become a restricted free agent in the summer.

Meanwhile, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman continues to say there could be summer hockey.

“The best thing and easiest thing would be if, at some point, we could complete the regular season and then go into the playoffs as we normally do,” he told NBCSN on Tuesday. “We understand that may not be possible, and that’s why we’re considering every conceivable alternative.”

Duclair recognizes that NHL players are no different from everyone else amid the pandemic.

“We’ve got to stay safe, stay at home,” he said. “I would also like to thank all the nurses, doctors and first responders for helping everyone in need. It’s a tough time, but at the same time, we’ll all get through this together.” kwarren@postmedia.com Twitter.com/ Citizenkwarren