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The forward had 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 56 games with the Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes last season, including eight points (two goals, six assists) in 23 games after he was traded to Chicago on Jan. 10.
Duclair, who turns 23 on Aug. 26, became an unrestricted free agent after the Blackhawks did not make him a qualifying offer by the June 25 deadline.
"Since my rookie year, the past few years have been a little bit of a roller-coaster ride, but I've learned a lot about myself," Duclair said Friday. "It's been a huge wake-up call. Being a free agent at 22 years old is definitely not ideal, but at the same time I'm coming here to Columbus to get an opportunity with a young team as well.
"Coming here is a good environment for me and just excited to work with these guys."
The New York Rangers selected Duclair in the third round (No. 80) of the 2013 NHL Draft. He has 89 points (37 goals, 52 assists) in 213 NHL games. His best NHL season was with Arizona in 2015-16, when he had 20 goals and 24 assists.
"I'm an NHL-caliber player," he said. "I think I have a long career ahead of me. I'm only 22 years old, 23 next month, I have a lot of hockey in me. I definitely want to be playing in the NHL."
