Lafleur's skating

[LeBlondeDemon10]

In the classic video section on NHL.com I found a new game - Game 1 of the 1976 finals. I was watching Lafleur as I had not seen a lot of his games prior to 1978. It appears to me that he was still developing at that stage - he was 25. He was skating more upright and bent at the waist whereas later Lafleur - 1979-84 - skated stronger, a little deeper in a classic crouch and with more confidence. Too bad things didn't work out for him in his last few years as I thought he developed into a more complete player. I've heard that he had lost a step his last few years, but I am not sold on that. I think his skating improved. The league around him got better and the team around him got worse. Check out the video from 1985 clip 9 about 2/3 down the page. He could still fly. I'd like to know what others think.

http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2009/11/26/1174682/25-years-ago-today-the-surprise

Click to read more...

 

[Scott1980]

I agree with you.

Strange, you look at Lafleur's stats and think he's going down the drain from 80/81 - 84/85, but then you watch games and clips and he's still got it!

Heck, he's not the only one who looks like he's still got it. Watch these clips of him and Tony - 0!

Sorry I can't get them to embed properly!

They BOTH still got it!

1981/82

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxd7F4x4YOA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJEeyGJiWWY&feature=related

Playoffs 81/82

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMnnhDzICOI&feature=related

(Good puck control on the goal!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9qEVmX0T5E&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r0c9YhTGJo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUZP1s7f9j0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO7Q_6p_ej4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddARG1RmL9c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po9mZOzLSEY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaATVxA3Huw&feature=related

(EXCELLENT PASS THAT FOOLED EVERYONE!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWhtYjnweLQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0GRcKXKL4k&feature=related

1982/83

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McOmvscsKtI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpPzqK7pTnc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG-qLwRAq-Y&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkg9AHbWP04&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8pPCvYyKBA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gVqKjydlL0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2HDiiM9H9g&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btz74z-nNjQ&feature=related

1983/1984

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGJbf5AwO-A&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYLCHkpL2CQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErF8ezAi-Ms&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HGc3MwK4yc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6BSbnmiA4s&feature=related

 

[LeBlondeDemon10]

Awesome! Thanks Scott.

 

[Big Phil]

Well 1976 was the first year of the Habs dynasty which was Lafleur's peak. No doubt about it he was at the beginning of a prime that is equalled by few players. I think his true breakout year was 1974-'75 though.

 

[Rhiessan71]

Well 1976 was the first year of the Habs dynasty which was Lafleur's peak. No doubt about it he was at the beginning of a prime that is equalled by few players. I think his true breakout year was 1974-'75 though.

Which co-insistently was when he took his helmet off, something he still says to this day, allowed him to play better.

Pretty sure this was just a mental thing obviously but mentality is a big part of the game too.