Anthony Duclair excited for opportunity to join Coyotes, Max Domi

The circumstances under which the news was delivered probably didn't help.

Winger Anthony Duclairhad just left the ice for the second intermission last Sunday, a matchup in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League between his Quebec Remparts and Chicoutimi, when his coach ushered him aside and told him he had just been traded by the Rangers to the Coyotes in a multi-piece deal that included defenseman Keith Yandleas the star chip going the other direction.

Shock settled in – Duclair was considered one of the organization's top prospects and had even played 18 games with the Rangers this season – but eventually was replaced by a completely different emotion.

"As a couple days have gone by here, I'm actually really excited about the opportunity," he said.

In the week since the trade was consummated, it has started to make more sense why Duclair was the prospect that made the Coyotes execute the move. He's quick, competitive and isn't afraid to shoot the puck and after getting selected 80th overall in 2013, he went back to junior and put up 99 points (50 goals).

"He's a raw talent," said goalie Louis Domingue, who played with Duclair with the Remparts in 2011-12. "He's really, really skilled. He's good. He's gonna be a good player in the NHL."

Duclair also seems to have tangible chemistry with winger Max Domi as the two were on the same line at the World Junior Championships. Domi had an impressive 10 points, five of which were goals, but Duclair had four and finished with eight points.

"Having the opportunity to maybe play with him in the future, that's great and I look forward to it," Duclair said.

Before playing in the tournament, Duclair was with the Rangers. He had a goal and six assists and was grateful for the chance to get a preview of the NHL before returning to junior hockey.

"Having those 18 games with New York this year was really good for my development," he said. "I learned so much with Alain Vigneaultbeing the coach and some key veteran guys in the locker room. I think I learned a lot, for myself being an offensive guy, I think I learned a lot defensively. It just made me a better player on the ice."

With all that in mind, the Coyotes expect Duclair to contend for a roster spot next fall. Duclair has the same goal.

"I'm going to have a good summer, gain some weight and mature physically and be ready for training camp," he said. "I want to make that jump."

Time to talk

Now that the trade deadline has passed, expect the Coyotes and winger Mikkel Boedkerto enter into contract talks on a new deal.

Boedker will become a restricted free agent after this season and with that his final year before he's eligible to hit unrestricted free agency, General Manager Don Maloneyhas expressed the club's interest in locking Boedker into a long-term deal.

His current two-year contract is worth $5.1 million.

"He likes it there," said Jarrett Bousquet, Boedker's agent. "He's excited about what the team is doing and the direction and … he's excited, and it's just a matter of nailing down a contract that works for both sides."

Boedker's recovery from spleen surgery, which he had Jan.18 after a hit in a game that night against the Jets caused damage to his spleen, has sidelined him for the rest of the season, but he's still a regular at practices and continues to walk. Bousquet is confident Boedker will be able to put back on the weight he lost through his summer workouts.

"He's frustrated, and he wants to contribute to the team," Bousquet said. "It's tough to watch, that's for sure for any player, but he's been really professional and getting better every day and walking longer."

No encore performance

No one probably would have thought twice about the Coyotes' decision between the pipes against the Canadiens if they went with Domingue.

After all, the Quebec native turned aside 18 shots for his first career win in his first NHL start Feb.1 in Montreal.

But the Coyotes stuck with No.1 Mike SmithSaturday after his strong play Thursday, a 32-save effort against the Canucks.

"His work ethic in practice has been excellent," coach Dave Tippettsaid of Domingue. "Now he's gotta wait for his next opportunity to play. He'll play some games down the stretch here. He's a very good prospect for us. We think he has a good future."

This is Domingue's second stint with the Coyotes this season, and he hasn't shaken the feeling that this is an audition. He wants to show the coaching staff and management he can be a backup option for the team next season.

"The second time around to me is to just make another good impression and prove a point that I belong here," Domingue said.

More auditions

The departures of Yandle and Antoine Vermette left the Coyotes needing to fill two spots on the power play, and so far they've given looks to the likes of John Mooreand Mark Arcobello.

"We're not changing our whole scheme," Tippett said. "We're trying to fit people into those spots, but obviously it's going to take some time to get them up and going. Vermette and Yandle were both key cogs in that, but the people we're trying to put in there are trying to do the same schemes and just see if they can get up and running."

The Coyotes continue to evaluate Arcobello to see if he holds a role on the team beyond this season. Actually, Maloney said teams were "begging me to trade him," because of the scoring punch Arcobello debuted in his first few weeks with the team. But the Coyotes were unable to trade him because as a waiver-wire pickup, Arcobello wasn't allowed to be traded unless he was offered to the teams, if there were any, that had put in a previous claim.

As for Moore, he's had power-play experience with the Rangers and seems to be finding more of a comfort level overall with the group.

"So much of hockey is just reaction and not thinking and relying on your instinct," he said. "So I think initially getting into a whole new system was an adjustment period, but every single day it's getting better and better."