Quinn Explains Why Duclair a Healthy Scratch Tonight

DENVER – Anthony Duclair will be a healthy scratch tonight.

That’s what San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn told Dan Rusanowsky in this morning’s Teal Report, on the Sharks Audio Network, before their contest against the Colorado Avalanche.

It’s not just because Duclair was slow to get onside during Mikael Granlund’s disallowed goal during Friday night’s 1-0 loss to the Arizona Coyotes, though that was a big part of the decision.

ANOTHER game-tying goal was wiped off in the third period 😡 pic.twitter.com/PbAtAHtBt7

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) December 16, 2023

“It’s something that we all saw, and it was unfortunate. You can never take your foot off the pedal during a shift. We just didn’t get onside quick enough,” the San Jose Sharks bench boss said. “Duke’s an important player for us. He’s not going to be in the line-up tonight. Not just because of one play. He’s been productive offensively, but there’s other areas of his game that we all want him to a little bit better in.”

“Anthony Duclair not working hard enough to get onside,” San Jose Sharks color commentator Bret Hedican remarked to Ted Ramey on today’s edition of “The Buildup”.

On Dec. 1, Duclair broke out of a season-long slump with two goals against the New Jersey Devils, kicking off a three-game tear on the road where the speedy winger scored three goals and two assists. Duclair, however, has had just one assist in the last four contests.

Duclair admitted after the loss in Arizona, “I definitely owe [Granlund] a few goals there after tonight.”

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“It’s very hard as a head coach to walk this line of not winning games at the start of the year, but still trying to coach, and coach players up. And also, hold guys accountable that weren’t pulling their weight,” Hedican said. “Every other guy is seeing what’s going on, on that bench. Who plays, who doesn’t, who’s pulling their weight.”

Quinn added, “Sometimes, sitting above and watching, kind of gives a chance to press reset and get back at it.”