Anthony Duclairs bond with Patrick Roy made it hard to say no to Islanders

Lou Lamoriello has always painted transactions as the art of the possible.And with the Islanders having limited flexibility on the first day of free agency, it was coach Patrick Roy who bent what was possible into signing winger Anthony Duclair on a team-friendly deal while retaining Mike Reilly on the blue line, with the potential for further moves down the line.“My connection with Pat, I think, was a big reason for me coming on the Island,” Duclair said after inking a four-year pact worth a reported $14 million to play for Roy, who coached him over a decade ago with the QMJHL Quebec Remparts.“He gave me a call this morning and told me that he wanted me.

When a coach calls you and tells you he wants you on your team, it’s hard to say no.Especially when it’s Pat.”In addition to Duclair, who will count for $3.5 million annually against the cap, the Islanders spent $1.25 million to retain Reilly for a year, per The Athletic.

That combination of moves drained the Islanders’ cap space to approximately $900,000 before any of their restricted free agents re-signed, begging the question of how they will free up room to complete their roster.In the interim, though, Duclair’s signing marked a major addition as the former Rangers draftee figures to slot in alongside Bo Horvat and Mat Barzal on the top line, a spot the Islanders struggled to fill for all of last season.“I think my job is to bring some speed, some offense,” Duclair said.“I’m not sure who I’m gonna play with but I think we have, just looking at the roster, a lot of good players up front and a lot of skill.

I’m just looking forward to amplifying that for the group.”The Duke, who turns 29 in August, lit the lamp 24 times last season with the Sharks and Lightning despite limited power-play minutes.That is exactly the sort of punch the Islanders needed atop a lineup that has long struggled for scoring, and Duclair figured to be an option for them at the March trade deadline before b...