SAN JOSE – Anthony Duclair said Monday he has not had any talks with the San Jose Sharks regarding a new contract — another indication, it seems, that general manager Mike Grier and the team’s front office are ready to move the speedy winger before the NHL trade deadline on March 8.
The Sharks acquired Duclair from the Florida Panthers last July for forward Steven Lorentz and a 2025 fifth-round draft pick. Although Duclair was entering the final year of his contract and a pending unrestricted free agent, Grier at the time left the door open to keeping the forward past this season.
Duclair, who represents himself, is seeking a longer-term contract but has said he would be open to signing with the rebuilding Sharks. Thus far, though, Duclair said no discussions about a new deal have taken place.
“I’m just trying to enjoy every day and just trying to play my game and help the team win at this point,” Duclair said. “Nothing’s changed since the beginning of the year.
“I’ve been in this situation before and the rumors and all that stuff do not bother me at all, to be honest. I just enjoy every day and just take it from there.”
It’s been a challenging year for Duclair, on multiple fronts.
Duclair has 11 goals and 19 points in 51 games for the offensively challenged Sharks this season, a sizeable drop from the 31-goal, 58-point season he had for the Panthers in 2021-2022.
He’s also gone from being on a Cup-contending team like the Panthers to the also-ran Sharks, who have the second-worst record in the NHL at 15-36-5.
Duclair, though, has played with some renewed energy since the Sharks returned from a 13-day break between games on Feb. 14.
Duclair scored twice for the Sharks in their 4-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Feb. 17, and his play has been more consistent of late, as he’s been moving his feet to help create chances.
Duclair said the mental respite, perhaps even more than the physical one, did him a lot of good, and he’ll again be on San Jose’s top line with Mikael Granlund and Fabian Zetterlund on Tuesday when the Sharks host Timo Meier and the New Jersey Devils.
“The break was much needed for me,” Duclair said. “A little reset to think about other things. Physically, I kind of feel the same, feel great.
“Obviously the season hasn’t gone the way we would have liked and I think all this losing and bad stretches definitely hurt me mentally for sure, and it’s just been a tough transition. But at the same time, since the break, I’ve been liking my game I’m feeling back to normal, getting more chances, getting more opportunities.
“Definitely creates more confidence and it’s been much better. That break was much needed.”
Duclair is one of several pending UFAs the Sharks have, and he’s shown he can be a postseason contributor, as he had 11 points in 20 playoff games during Florida’s run to the Stanley Cup Final last season.
No one would be surprised to see Duclair get moved by the Sharks to a playoff contender before March 8. If Duclair is dealt, his new team will get a player who appears to be reinvigorated
“It’s not easy stepping into our situation,” Sharks coach David Quinn said when asked about Duclair. “He’s going to a free agent, we get off to a tough start … all that plays a role in it all, and he’s done a really good job pulling it together.
“He’s always had great moments, but I think he’s been much more consistent in the player that we all know he’s capable of being. I give him a ton of credit.”
