The speed and skill are undeniable.
In fact, when Anthony Duclair deploys them both it can be jaw-dropping. The only thing is, he hasn't combined them enough during the first four years of his NHL career - after being traded by the New York Rangers in 2015 and making a splash with 20 goals and 44 points for the Arizona Coyotes as a rookie in 2015-16.
Since then, Duclair has struggled to regain his top form. He had 15 points on five goals and 10 assists the next season (2016-17), spending time in the American Hockey League, and then requested a trade from the Coyotes last season. Sent to the Chicago Blackhawks mid-season, Duclair missed the final six weeks of the season with a high-ankle sprain and wasn't tendered a qualifying contract offer to stay in Chicago this summer.
The Blue Jackets
signed Duclair to a one-year contract July 6
, a deal worth a reported $650,000, and he came to training camp looking to prove himself all over again - still only 23-years old.
"I want to go back to my playing ways from my rookie season," he said, three days into the physically-demanding training camp of Columbus coach John Tortorella. "That was the main focus [of signing here] too. Coming here, playing with these guys, everyone's got to push each other to be better - and I think that's what I need."
TRAINING CAMP: Duclair intent on tapping 'unlimited' potential
Young forward on his fourth NHL team, motivated to prove rookie success was no fluke.
© Steve Babineau
© Norm Hall