Duclos-Claude’s skating deficiencies kept him from being a threat in open ice, but his detailed small-area game allowed him to play a critical role on his line alongside Nolette-Robidoux and Desrochers and drive the cycle game for them. He was extremely effective below the goal line in the offensive zone with the puck on his stick, often spinning off of checks to work his way into space and connecting on low to high passes that lead to some dangerous chances in the slot. Off-puck he was effective at keeping his feet moving to get lost in coverage, often inserting himself backdoor looking to cash in on Nolette-Robidoux’s vision and playmaking acumen. He showed a physical side to his game as well, especially in the neutral zone where he laid out a few puck-carriers to kill opponents transition sequences and create a counterattack.

The details of Duclos-Claude’s game are something you really come to appreciate the more you watch him. He’s always looking to support his teammates both off the rush and in the defensive zone, which helps facilitate clean exits and entries for his team. In the offensive zone he’s a highly effective cycle player, especially below the goal line where he’s able to shield the puck from defenders, bounce off checks and distribute the puck shrewdly to open linemates to extend offensive zone sequences. He was often tasked with important faceoff duties, especially towards the end of the game when his team either an OZ or DZ faceoff win. The skating ability does hinder him from being a true open-ice threat and does lead to him lagging behind the play at times, but overall his well-rounded game does make me optimistic about his translatability to junior hockey.

Duclos-Claude has all the makings of a really strong complimentary player at the next level. He has a great understanding of timing on his routes, particularly off the rush, where he was consistently able to drift into open space to make himself a passing option for teammates. He processes the playa round him very quickly, which allows him to make quick plays with the puck and play with pace even if his skating ability doesn’t allow it. He’s a strong playmaker off the rush as well, with the ability to slip passes through sticks and bodies to streaking teammates. He possesses sneaky skill in tight quarters as well, using his stickhandling ability to get pucks around defenders quickly to create space for himself along the perimeter. The skating ability may hold him back, but if he’s able to improve this aspect of his game I think he can be a really solid offensive threat.

Duclos-Claude played an efficient and detail-oriented game centering the Gaulois’ most effective line. He had some strong moments below the goal line in the offensive zone dealing with contact with the puck on his stick, spinning off of checks and distributing the puck shrewdly to link together possession sequences. I really admired his work in the defensive zone, constantly supporting his defenders down low and being physically engaged on puck-carrier while also performing fantastically in the faceoff dot. His footspeed can leave him a bit behind the play at times, especially while playing with faster players; but his overall intelligence and feel for the game allowed him to make a positive impact regardless.

I’ve really come to appreciate Duclos-Claude’s tactical and intelligent approach to attacking off the rush. He was doing a great job connecting plays in the neutral zone, making quick one touch passes to teammates which allowed his team to play with pace and attack the zone with speed. He also flashed some serious skill as a puck carrier in transition in one instance early in the game when he was able to cut through a defender to get inside and draw a penalty after he was hauled down. His best work came in the first period when he demonstrated a great understanding of route taking and timing off the rush, drifting up high to make himself a passing option before quickly executing a cross-ice feed downhill to a teammate who just needed to tap it in to the open net. He also scored a goal in the second period by driving the net off the rush and deflecting in a puck past the goaltender.

He did a good job pressuring the opposition in all three zones and was a complete nuisance to play against. He was very engaged in board battles in the offensive zone and was responsible for gaining back possession after it was lost. He showed off some skill in tight as well, using an impressive set of hands to get around defenders and bowl his way to the crease area. He had a nice assist in the second period when he made a quick read before receiving the puck then made a quick pass to Nolette-Robidoux in front of the net that the defense didn’t have time to react to. Overall, I thought he was an important part of his line and played his role really well.