Can Someone spare a clue or two?

Anthony Duclair (BlueshirtsUnited)

Here is a message to those of you who are trashing that the New York Rangers signed Anthony Duclair (NYR 2013 3rd) to an entry level contract on Thursday: Stop complaining about a kid who is doing exactly what you wish the New York Rangers were doing. Yes that is right he is working his butt off to EARN this contract.

Sounds harsh you bet because here is a kid who was projected to be a 1st or 2nd round draft pick but because of his own play dropped to the 3rd round. It is not the kid who is clueless because yes while he maybe 5'11 195 but that means he is bigger than Ryan Callahan was at his age. No this kid is not a part of the Ranger draft hype machine because Duclair knows his own play cost him a shot at playing for Team Canada this year.

They say that "haters are going to hate" and that is fine because Duclair in my eyes just wants to prove the world wrong. Duclair is busting his tail to prove to everyone how wrong they were about him (and yes I am included in this too). Actually I don't really care if this offends people but you are so blinded with your dislike of the Rangers that you are missing a prospect who has been doing the same things you are begging the current Rangers to do.

Here is a kid who is making the big play when his team is needing one. Yes he is 3rd in the QMJHL in scoring but include goal scoring too. Duclair has 8 power play goals (he would be leading the NYR), 5 game winners and 16 power play assist to help make up for his 31-28-57 points. Rather than bash him why not take the 7 buck from the floor and buy yourself some clues as it looks like you missed some.

Now right about now, the loss to Russia while it hurts is really the fault of the USA squad themselves. How many times were they told about making the most of every chance? How often were they told to stay out of the penalty box? You are seeing that the Russians forced the action got the calls they wanted and the final score is the right result.

No this is not because Pavel Buchnevich (NYR 2013 3rd) scored 2 goals to defeat the USA but the reality that Buchnevich stepped up his game and made plays. He rose to the occasion which is something Ranger fans have been wanting to see any Ranger player do just once. 2-5-7 in 5 games is not bad either.

Brady Skjei (NYR 2012 1st) had a secondary assist to finish the tournament with that lone point and a +5. People will see the 0-1-1 and again get the wrong idea. Until the Russian game, Skjei and his defensive partners had played well shutting down the other guy's power play but Team USA's was nowhere to be found.

Griffin Reinhart (NYI 2012 1st) may not score a lot but when he does then he makes sure that his points count. Reinhart scored the game's first goal and then fed teammate Curtis Lazar of the Edmonton Oil Kings for the insurance goal and Canada advanced to the semifinals with a 4-1 win over Switzerland. Reinhart had to sit out the first 3 games because of a suspension that carried over for last year so he is making up for lost time.

Adam Pelech (NYI 2012 2nd) was scoreless but doubt that bothers him as he is 2 wins from a gold medial.

Ville Pokka (NYI 2012 2nd) was scoreless as his Finnish team knocked out the Czech Republic 5-3. The Finns face Sweden in the semifinals.

If you looked only at the numbers then you question why Mackenzie Skapski earned a 3rd stair after his Kootenay Ice gave up 4 goals then realize that he faced 46 shots and was the only reason why Kootenay was even in this game.

Ryan Pulock (NYI 2013 1st) didn't score as his Brandon Wheat Kings dropped a 4-1 decision to the Calgary Hitmen. It was a tough loss for the Wheat Kings who were out-shot 36-24.

Finally Victor Crus-Rydberg (NYI 2013 3rd) miss Thursday's game against the Saulte Ste. Marie Greyhoumds after taking a shot off the jaw Wednesday night.