ScaredStreit
Registered User
Yep. It has long been a pet peeve of mine when people ONLY equate speed as a sign of a great skater. Speed IS immensely important. But there is more that goes into elite skating. Things you have touched upon above.
I’d argue that Barzal’s skating style is as perfect as you can get for the game of hockey. His tight edge work and ability to pick-up and drop speed in tight corners, coupled with balance, center of gravity and leg strength make him extremely elusive. For the old timers think of NFL HOF running backs Gale Sayers or Barry Sanders.
The other exceptional thing is pass on his back-hand as well as is for hand. It gives him near 360 degree of attack.
Then you take his ability to process the game at high speeds and that just puts the ribbon on top of an already extremely impressive package.
LOL... I’m not against advanced statistics... but in this case I certainly don’t need a spreadsheet (as per the article referenced earlier) to tell me I’m looking at a thoroughbred.
QFT. Jagr was an amazing skater because he was so strong, not because of speed.