Under General Manager Lou Lamoriello, the New York Islanders have long had a strict policy of no long hair or facial hair, and last night a new Islander was forced to make a big change.
Journeyman forward Anthony Duclair signed with the Islanders this summer. Last night, he posted a goodbye to his dreadlocks and beard on social media.
This has sparked up the debate again about the validity of Lamoniello's rule, and if it is really fair to strip a player of their individuality before joining the team. It's an old-school rule to achieve conformity and control within the team from Lamoriello, and it's arguable if it has an effect at all. Still, despite calls to remove the rule from fans and media every season, the 81-year old Lamoriello has shown no signs of even considering a change.
At the same time, it's not like this rule is new or not well-known. Duclair signed a 4 year contract with the Islanders for $3.5M a season, which could be seen as major financial commitment to a player who's bounced around the league his whole career. Even if he wasn't a fan of the rule, Duclair was surely aware of it when he signed with the Islanders - and the contract security likely outweighed the importance of his hair. At the same time, he shouldn't have to even consider that choice.
Anthony Duclair was drafted in the third round by the New York Rangers in 2013, and has gone on to play 563 games with 8 different NHL teams. He's struggled to play a full season any year of his career, but when healthy and playing with opportunity, clearly has the ability to put up 20 goals a season. His career best year came with the 2021-22 Florida Panthers, when he scored 31 goals and 58 points in 74 games. Duclair is a quality offensive threat and a fantastic fit for the New York Islanders, and getting the term on his contract and opportunity to produce is clearly more important than an old-fashioned rule.
