On the Arizona Coyotes and Anthony Duclair …
Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports: Craig Custance of The Athletic reported that Coyotes forward Anthony Duclair has requested a trade.
Two sources have said that the Coyotes continue to have trade talks involving Duclair, but it doesn’t mean that talks are heating up. There are 52 days until the trade deadline, so there is lots of time.
Duclair signed a one-year deal worth $1.2 million and will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
Duclair has 13 points in 31 games this season and has been a healthy scratch ten times. He was in the doghouse with former coach Dave Tippett, and at times with new coach Rick Tocchet.
“You have to give effort. You’ve got to know the system. You’ve got to know where you’re going. It’s not on your own program. I’m not saying it’s just him. I’m not trying to pick on him. I just don’t think the effort’s there, quite frankly, on every night.”
A deal closer to the deadline is more likely unless someone makes a good offer quickly.
Chris Nichols of Fan Rag Sports: Darren Dreger was on TSN 1200 yesterday and was asked about the trade value of Coyotes Anthony Duclair. Dreger says that he believes Duclairs trade request was made earlier in the season but was made public yesterday. Coyotes GM John Chayka has been actively trying to move him. If there was a market, he might have already been moved.
“I’m told that Arizona is looking for a like player, so in that age category, and maybe a player who has underachieved with his organization and like Anthony Duclair, wants and needs a fresh start. So it might be a player like that, or I also heard Arizona would happily take a draft pick, hoping for as high as a second-round pick.
“But yesterday I was told it was heating up, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Duclair gets traded – I can’t say in the next couple of days, but I would say that he could be traded within the week.”