Desert Duke? Anthony Duclair is now part of the Coyotes rebuild following a blockbuster trade with the Rangers acquiring Keith Yandle.
nydailynews.com

There are always two sides to a story. The same can be echoed for Anthony Duclair. The former Rangers top prospect who showed so much promise early in the season is moving on to a new organization. He was the centerpiece in a blockbuster deal between the Rangers and Coyotes involving Keith Yandle a day before the March 2 trade deadline.

It was in 2013 that the Rangers selected Duclair in the third round 80th overall. One of three picks taken in Round 3, the 19-year old Quebec City native was coming off a big junior season for the Remparts of the QMJHL in which he scored 50 goals and 99 points in 59 games. The talented diminutive left wing impressed coach Alain Vigneault enough to make the roster out of camp. Nicknamed Duke, he played in 18 games and tallied a goal and six assists for seven points.

As December rolled around, it was obvious that Vigneault wasn’t comfortable trusting Duclair. Despite his skill set, he was a healthy scratch. Eventually, the Rangers loaned him to Canada where he teamed with tournament MVP Max Domi to help Canada win gold at the Under 20 World Junior Championship. Ironically, they played on the same line and had instant chemistry. Duclair started the scoring in Canada’s gold medal win over Russia. He had four goals and four assists totaling eight points with a plus-11 rating.

Following the WJC, the Rangers sent Duclair back to Quebec City. In 19 contests, he has nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points. It’s still hard to believe the young man Garden Faithful fell in love with will no longer be part of the team’s future. But that’s the cost of winning. Glen Sather has put a premium on winning now. So, Duclair goes to the Desert with John Moore, a conditional 2016 first round pick and a 2015 second round pick.

Thanks in large part to respected Canadiens tweep Chantal, she translated part of a article that appeared in le Solei with Duclair’s reaction to the trade.

https://twitter.com/habsgirl4life/status/572190277953327104

https://twitter.com/habsgirl4life/status/572190460845948928

https://twitter.com/habsgirl4life/status/572190750403907584

As you can see, Duclair is ready to move on. Who can blame him? As he noted, he was part of a trade for Yandle which amounts to pressure. Now a building block of the Coyotes future, he’ll team up with Domi as part of their rebuild. That could come as soon as 2015-16.

Wishing Duke the best of luck with his new team.