Duclair’s first career hat trick a product of speed, skill

Way back in the summer, Coyotes coach Dave Tippett was doing some digging.

He wanted to know why Anthony Duclair had been a healthy scratch for the Quebec Remparts’ QMJHL game against Shawnigan nine days after the Coyotes acquired the forward in a trade-deadline deal that sent Keith Yandle to the New York Rangers. He wanted to know why Remparts coach Patrick Roy had suspended Duclair for “attitude issues” two years earlier.

Had the Coyotes acquired a problem child?

The answer is yes, but after Duclair recorded his first NHL hat trick in a 4-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday at Honda Center, the problem is clearly the opposition’s.

“Speed and skill,” Tippett told reporters after the game. “On all of his goals tonight he shoots the puck quick. They’re good skill plays that a young skill player can make.”

Even late in training camp, Tippett was doing the tough love thing, insisting that Duclair had not yet made the team, although Tippett added that Duclair hadn’t done anything to hurt his chances. Tippett just hadn’t seen enough of Duclair, who played sparingly in the preseason due to a nagging injury.

When you watched Duclair in those camp practices, however, it was clear he had elite skills that the Coyotes so desperately needed in the forward group. It was clear he had the kind of speed that is increasingly defining today’s game. It was clear he had the hunger that is a prerequisite on a Tippett-made roster.

“He had a solid training camp but the great thing about him is he’s gotten better and better as we’ve come out of training camp,” Tippett said. “I really give him credit. In practices, he’s digging in.”

All of those good qualities were on display Wednesday.

Duclair’s first goal as a Coyote came just 3:16 into the game when center Martin Hanzal won a draw cleanly back to Duclair at the top of the circle and he slipped a low shot between goalie Anton Khudobin’s pads for a 1-0 lead.

His second goal came later in the first period when best bud Max Domi roared into the offensive zone and left a puck at the doorstep. In an instant, Duclair kicked the puck from his skate to his stick and slipped it into a tiny hole between Khudobin’s pad and the post.

He completed the hat trick midway through the second period when he ripped a shot off the iron and in off a feed from Tobias Rieder.

Duclair became the first Coyotes rookie to post a hat trick since Daniel Carcillo did it in April 4, 2008 against the Dallas Stars, and the 16th in franchise history. The guess here is that Duclair will have a far more noteworthy offensive career than Carcillo.

“It’s unbelievable,” Duclair said of the hat trick. “It’s even more special to share with these type of guys. Give credit to my linemates and my teammates. They’ve been doing a good job of making some space for me and just making it that much easier for me.”

We’ve noted several times that Tippett expects his young players to hit a wall at some point this season. The Coyotes coach’s deep understanding of the game and unfailingly even temperament can feel like a bucket of cold water sometimes, but at least we know this: If Duclair and his fellow rookie phenom Domi do hit a wall this season, it will be a high-speed collision with that wall.

The pace at which the Coyotes are playing this season is a breath of fresh air after last season’s struggles. Arizona is 3-0. Nobody saw this coming, and aside from goalie Mike Smith’s superlative play (two goals against in three games), it’s impossible to ignore the enormous role the Coyotes’ pups have had in this start. The kids can play at this level. Of that, there should be no doubt.

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