Duclair off to a good start with Blue Jackets
COLUMBUS, Ohio — If you missed Blue Jackets forward Anthony Duclair’s 23-game stint with the Blackhawks last season, don’t worry. You didn’t miss much.
If you missed the goal Duclair scored Thursday, find it immediately. You missed what may be the goal of the season.
Racing down the right side against the Flyers, Duclair tried to stop but fell while maintaining control of the puck. Without missing a beat he got up, somehow kept the puck away from two defenders, swirled back to his left and beat goalie Calvin Pickard through the five-hole.
It was a brilliant solo effort that put the national spotlight on Duclair.
“Phone blew up quite a bit for sure,” he said.
The goal illustrated why teams keep giving chances to the 23year-old Duclair, who is already with his fourth organization. After coming to Chicago from the Coyotes last January in the Richard Panik trade, both he and the Hawks hoped his potential would be realized.
But Duclair only had two goals in 23 games and wasn’t surprised the Hawks didn’t try to keep him when he became a free agent. He signed with the Blue Jackets and is off to a decent start with four points (two goals, two assists) in six games.
“It’s going to be one of my regrets to get that opportunity in Chicago and not perform,” Duclair said. “I had to look in the mirror this summer and move on.”
Saad story: It has been a rough week for Brandon Saad. Joel Quenneville toyed with benching Saad before deciding to keep him in the lineup. The timing for a return to Columbus to play the Blue Jackets and Artemi Panarin, who Saad was traded for last summer, could have been better.
Even though the pair will inevitably be linked, Saad doesn’t see it that way.
“We’re different players,” Saad said. “(Panarin) is a great player. Fans are going to do whatever comparisons they want, but you have to be true to yourself and do what you bring to the table.”