Duclair, 22, has recorded 37 goals and 52 assists for 89 points with 83 penalty minutes and a +4 plus/minus rating in 213 career NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes and New York Rangers since making his league debut in 2014-15. In 2017-18, the winger collected 11-12-23 and 16 penalty minutes in 56 contests split between the Blackhawks and Coyotes.
"Anthony is a skilled, young player with world-class speed, who has played in over 200 NHL games as a 22-year-old and was one of the league's top rookies just two years ago," said Kekalainen. "He is eager for an opportunity to improve as a player and we think he has a chance to be an impactful addition to our hockey club."
A native of Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Duclair registered 5-10-15 and 14 penalty minutes in 58 games with the Coyotes and added 1-7-8 in 16 appearances with the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners in 2016-17. He set career highs in 2015-16 after posting 20-24-44, 49 penalty minutes and a +12 plus/minus rating in 81 contests with Arizona. Among NHL rookies that season, he ranked first-T in power play goals with eight, second-T in plus/minus rating, fifth in goals and seventh in points and assists (tied).
The 5-11, 191-pound forward was selected by the Rangers in the third round, 80th overall, at the 2013 NHL Draft. Prior to turning pro, he tallied 116-133-249, 152 penalty minutes and a +83 plus/minus rating in 203 career Quebec Major Junior Hockey League outings with the Québec Remparts. Duclair has represented Canada in international tournaments on several occasions. He helped the country win gold at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championships, collecting 4-4-8 in seven games, and gold at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial with 1-1-2 in five appearances.
