Anthony Duclair signed with the Florida Panthers earlier this week. He did so for much less than most thought he could get in free agency and he did so on a one-year “show-me” type contract after the Ottawa Senators decided to move in a different direction. Duclair spoke with media about how everything went down and his process during NHL free agency.
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Duclair acknowledged that he was taken aback that the Senators chose not to qualify him. Still, he said he had the utmost respect for GM Pierre Dorion and the Senators organization. “To be honest, I was surprised I didn’t get qualified by Ottawa,” Duclair said, “I didn’t see that coming.”
As far a representing himself in free agency, he said, “It was a great experience. At this state of my career, I’ve been moved around a bunch, I think it was important for me to contact GMs and let them know where I’m at in this state of my career right now… tell them my story.”
Duclair Learned a Lot Through the Process
Duclair said that just in speaking with a couple of the GMs, who told him they understood and respected his decision to represent himself, he said it again it was a great experience and in the future would love to learn the business side of the game.
He called it unusual times with the Covid offseason but that he had fun with it and relished the opportunity to speak with all these GMs. He knows the experience will help him become a better player and a better person in the future.
Unfortunately for Duclair, while he might have enjoyed the exercise of being his own agent, that decision probably cost him at least $1 million. It will be interesting to see if he’s learned that lesson and gets an agent for next offseason.
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