Even though he hasn’t played for the Florida Panthers in a couple years, speedy forward Anthony Duclair has remained a fan favorite in terms of former Cats.
He’s kept South Florida close to his heart, running one of his youth hockey camps in Coral Springs and helping grow the game through his foundation.
It’s probably why Panthers fans were among those to chime in on social media this week when a photo posted by Duclair sparked an interesting debate.
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The photo showed Duclair’s hair, but it wasn’t attached to his head.
Duclair was seemingly cutting his hair and shaving his beard ahead of New York Islanders training camp after signing a four-year, $14 million deal during the offseason.
The trimming was due to a rule imposed by Islanders President of Hockey Ops and GM Lou Lamoriello, one of many seemingly outdated mandates set by the longtime hockey exec.
Duclair’s posting of the photo has led to fans discussing whether the rules are fair in the current day and age.
Should cases of culture or religion be considered?
Does it matter when it’s the private company employer, the signer of the paychecks, that demands certain rules be followed?
It’s quite different than a dress code. Clothes go on you. They aren’t you.
The personal grooming rule has been made famous by the New York Yankees and their former owner George Steinbrenner.
Some are arguing that Duclair choose to sign with the Islanders and knew what he was getting himself into.
That is 100% true.
Some of the other #LouRules:
-no facial hair (except the in playoffs)
-no long hair (past the collar)
-no jewelry (necklaces/earrings)
-jackets/ties must be worn to games and on the team bus/plane
-no broadcasters/media permitted on the team charter (including team broadcasters) https://t.co/dkkK6jAw56— Gord Miller 🇺🇦 (@GMillerTSN) January 31, 2023
We don’t know if there were other offers he turned down, though the idea of signing a four-year deal, the longest tenure he’s been offered during his career, surely played a part in his decision to head to the Island.
The question is, should it need to be a consideration?
Why should Duclair have to cut off his hair if he doesn’t want to in order to sign the biggest deal of his life?
At the end of the day, nobody ever said life was fair.
For those who have the power, though, there are differences in the world that can be made.
Feel free to continue the debate in the comments section.
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