The Arizona Coyotes and Anthony Duclair officially parted ways Wednesday, as the 22-year-old forward was shipped to the Chicago Blackhawks in a four-player trade.

A report from The Athletic's Craig Custance last week revealed Duclair had requested a trade out of Arizona, but Coyotes general manager John Chayka revealed a potential move has been brewing for a while now.

"It's gone back for a few years now where the team wasn't particularly happy with the player and the player wasn't particularly happy with the team," Chayka said, per Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press.

Duclair was acquired by the Coyotes in 2015 as a part of the package for defenseman Keith Yandle, and in his first full season with the team, he looked like a piece to build around in the future after scoring 20 goals and 44 points.

Since then, however, Duclair has struggled, producing only 15 points in 58 games last season, and the same amount in 33 contests in 2017-18.

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The biggest All-Star snubs from each division

January 10, 2018 NHL | theScore Leave a comment

Along with the annual naming of the NHL All-Star teams comes a rite of passage that is arguably as interesting.

All-Star rosters were revealed by the league on Wednesday, so, naturally, the heated debates surrounding which players perhaps should have been chosen to compete in Tampa Bay at the end of the month will now begin.

Here's a look at each division's biggest snub.

Atlantic Division

Most notable snub: Jonathan Huberdeau, LW, Florida Panthers

Leaving a Panther off the list of All-Stars is never exactly a glaring omission. But, in the case of Huberdeau, the argument can be made that his name should be in the mix.

Huberdeau leads the Panthers in assists (27) and points (43), while also rocking a stellar Corsi For percentage of 54.5 in just over 20 minutes of ice time per game. Factor in that the Florida winger is red-hot of late, notching 11 points in his last eight games, and his exclusion becomes even more notable.

Snub honorable mentions: Morgan Rielly, D, Toronto Maple Leafs; Mark Stone, RW, Ottawa Senators; Patrice Bergeron, C, Boston Bruins.

Metropolitan Division

Most notable snub: Phil Kessel, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins

OK, look. You're never going to catch us spitting such blasphemy as "Sidney Crosby doesn't deserve to be in the All-Star Game," because Sid is still very much the real deal, despite an up-and-down season. However, with that said, his Penguins teammate Kessel is perhaps the sole reason Pittsburgh still finds itself clinging to playoff contention.

Kessel has been nothing short of sensational so far for the Pens, currently sitting 11th in the league scoring with 18 goals and 29 assists to go along with a positive Corsi For of 51.5.

There is no doubt Crosby deserves a spot among the best in the business, but on the back of his solid 2017-18 campaign, so does Kessel.

Snub honorable mentions: Sergei Bobrovksy, G, Columbus Blue Jackets; Jakub Voracek, RW, Philadelphia Flyers; John Carlson, D, Washington Capitals; Anders Lee, LW, New York Islanders.

Central Division

Most notable snub: Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, St. Louis Blues

Tarasenko's run of consecutive All-Star nods ends at three, as the Blues sniper was left off this year's squad despite registering yet another solid offensive season of 19 goals and 25 assists, so far.

The Russian talisman might be on pace for his lowest goal output (33) since he entered the league in 2012, but Tarasenko has evolved his game this campaign, becoming a more complete player while also logging more minutes and making his teammates better around him. Case in point: Brayden Schenn is having a career year playing on Tarasenko's wing and will be making his first-ever All-Star appearance.

A collection of the league's elite just isn't complete without one of the best pure scorers in the game.

Snub notable mentions: Jamie Benn, LW, Dallas Stars; Ryan Suter, D, Minnesota Wild; Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators.

Pacific Division

Most notable snub: Jonathan Marchessault, C, Vegas Golden Knights

Seemingly unable to earn any respect despite putting up strong offensive numbers in back-to-back seasons, the criminally underrated Marchessault continues to produce despite getting little love from fans around the league.

Across the past 113 games for the Panthers and the Golden Knights, Marchessault has 46 goals and 45 assists to go along with seven game-winning tallies.

Marchessault has been Vegas' best forward so far this season on a team that has easily been the feel-good story of the year, making his omission that much more puzzling.

Snub notable mentions: John Gibson, G, Anaheim Ducks; Clayton Keller, C, Arizona Coyotes; Sean Monahan, C, Calgary Flames.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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Coyotes trade Duclair to Blackhawks for Panik in 4-player trade

January 10, 2018 Ian McLaren Leave a comment

The Chicago Blackhawks have traded forward Richard Panik and Laurent Dauphin to the Arizona Coyotes for Anthony Duclair and Adam Clendening, the teams announced Wednesday.

Duclair is believed to have recently requested a trade out of the desert, seemingly in search of a fresh start after struggling to regain the fine form of his rookie year that saw him record 20 goals and 24 assists in 81 games.

The 22-year-old scored nine goals and added six assists in 33 games for the Coyotes this season, and he's set to become a restricted free agent this summer.

In return, the Coyotes receive 26-year-old Panik, who has this season and next remaining on a deal that carries a $2.8-million cap hit.

In 37 games this campaign, he contributed six goals and 10 assists.

No salary was retained in the deal, TSN's Pierre LeBrun adds, thereby freeing up some cap space for Chicago after taking on the balance of Duclair's $1.2-million cap hit.

Dauphin and Clendening are minor leaguers with limited NHL experience, with Duclair and Panik clearly serving as the centerpieces of this deal.

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Ranking the 2018 All-Star teams

January 10, 2018 NHL | theScore Leave a comment

The NHL announced the complete rosters for the 2018 All-Star Game on Wednesday, naming 44 of the league's best players to represent their respective divisions in a 3-on-3 tournament.

While all teams are loaded with talent, someone has to win the darn thing, and below is our list of who is most suited to do so.

Full rosters can be seen here.

1. Atlantic Division

Dream 3-on-3 trio: Auston Matthews - Nikita Kucherov - Erik Karlsson

While Steven Stamkos is a worthy candidate here, we've seen what he's done with Kucherov all year long. Pairing the league's top goal-getter with the offensive abilities of Matthews and Karlsson would be non-stop entertainment.

With the likes of Stamkos, Brad Marchand, and Victor Hedman on the bench, the Atlantic lineup will be terrifying no matter who is on the ice.

Potential X-factor: Jack Eichel

You have to think Eichel will be excited to take advantage of having good teammates for once this season.

2. Central Division

Dream 3-on-3 trio: Patrick Kane - Nathan MacKinnion - P.K. Subban

Combining Kane's hands, MacKinnon's speed, and Subban's charisma could be lots of fun, while a supporting cast featuring Tyler Seguin and Brayden Schenn makes the Central a formidable opponent.

Potential X-factor: Blake Wheeler

Wheeler's rightfully earned the first All-Star nod of his career, and will have a platform to showcase himself as one of the best wingers in the NHL.

3. Metropolitan Division

Dream 3-on-3 trio: Sidney Crosby - Alex Ovechkin - Seth Jones

As the two greatest icons of their generation, watching Crosby and Ovechkin play together, rather than be pitted against each other as rivals, is something hockey fans should cherish.

Not to mention, one of the most effective duos in the league - John Tavares and Josh Bailey - wait in the weeds should Sid and Ovi require a break.

Potential X-factor: Taylor Hall

Hall's in the midst of a career season, and the open space of 3-on-3 will make him one of the most dangerous players on the ice.

4. Pacific Division

Dream 3-on-3 trio: Connor McDavid - Johnny Gaudreau - Drew Doughty

Just imagine the potential puck movement between McDavid and Gaudreau, two of the NHL's most creative players. However, in spite of arguably the best trio available, James Neal and Rickard Rakell as depth options makes the Pacific less of a threat.

Potential X-factor: Brock Boeser

All he does is score, and there's no reason to think that will stop in a game designed for goals.

(Photos Courtesy: Action Images)

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Report: Sabres’ Bogosian out 4-6 weeks with injury suffered in practice

January 10, 2018 NHL | theScore Leave a comment

The Buffalo Sabres had an eventful practice Wednesday.

Not only did Evander Kane and Justin Falk exchange verbal and physical blows, but defenseman Zach Bogosian reportedly suffered a significant lower-body injury.

BUF D Zach Bogosian is likely to miss four to six weeks with LBI (ankle?) suffered in practice today.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 10, 2018

Bogosian recorded one assist in 18 games this season, averaging 19:09 of ice time per night.

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Full NHL All-Star rosters revealed

January 10, 2018 Josh Gold-Smith Leave a comment

Here are the complete rosters for the 2018 NHL All-Star Game tournament, the league's annual star-studded three-on-three event that will take place on Jan. 28 in Tampa Bay: