OSUlakers
Registered User
His deflections are ridiculous. Might be best in the NHL at playing the Holmstrom type game
Vanek and Hornqvist are the best active NHL players at deflecting the puck, IMO.
His deflections are ridiculous. Might be best in the NHL at playing the Holmstrom type game
For a while, I’ve seen it repeated by a few that Hörnqvist gets points by standing in front of the net and letting pucks bounce off of him. Now, Preds33 is even saying it is Patric’s greatest skill. I think it is an inaccurate and an unfair characterization of Patric’s play. Considering the way Patric really played for Nashville, I think it’s unfortunate that that is the image some have and are stating as fact to those unfamiliar with his play.
For anyone wanting to know how Patric really scored goals for Nashville, here’s a link where over 70 of his goals, including all of his goals from last season, can be watched (his 30 goal season is missing):
http://video.penguins.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlp=8471887&lang=en
You can also find clips of his assists in game summaries, although I haven’t found a single link like the one for goals that makes it easy.
When I re-watched all 53 of Hörnqvist’s points from this past season, I saw one goal and one assist that I could see being described as bouncing off of Hörnqvist. In the Jan 5th game, Patric scored when his own shot hit his skate as the defender was pushing him into the net. I saw exactly zero goals this past season that someone else bounced off of him.
The only assist I would categorize as a bounced off Hörnqvist assist came in the Jan 4th game against Florida. I can’t actually tell from the clip (link below) if he deflected it with his stick. So, I’ll say it bounced off him as he was “standing in front of the netâ€.
http://e1.cdnak.neulion.com/nhl/vod..._1600.mp4?eid=529027&pid=529546&gid=3000&pt=1
I don’t know how some developed this passive image of Patric’s play as a Predator. To me it seems dismissive of what he brought to the the ice. I hope it isn’t a myth that will continue to grow among Preds fans as time goes on. I don’t think he earned that.
Triggrman – please don’t misunderstand my post. My objection is with the characterization that Hörnqvist scores a lot of goals and assists by standing in front of the net and having his teammates bounce pucks off of him. One poster, Preds33, has take this view to the point of calling it Patric's “greatest skillâ€. To me there is a difference between that passive image of Hörnqvist standing there hoping a puck will just bounce off of him and the truth of how Hörnqvist plays and scores. He produces a large percentage of his goals, doing whatever it takes to do the job his team has asked him to do. The Predators gave him tapes of Holmström to study his first year or so. He practices deflections, redirections, rebounds – just like other players practice what is asked of them. The team draws up and practices plays based on his position in front of the net – particularly on the power play. Yes, he scores goals in close to the net. But he does it because he’s willing to battle the defensemen for position, he’s willing to stand in front of Weber slapshots, he doesn’t give up on the puck – ever (total competitor), he loves to score, and he has the hand-eye coordination to make those deflections. He isn’t scoring because he’s standing there like a statue waiting for Weber or any other player to bounce pucks off of him. It's not an accident. He’s actively fighting to score. Given the time he spends in front of the net – I am surprised more pucks don’t bounce off him and go into the net. I actually think he’s been remarkably unlucky in that regard.
I’ve never tried to predict the impact, good or bad, the trade will have on him or Neal. I’ve only hoped and will continue to hope it works out well for both of them. It’s ultimately up to their health, their will, and their ability to do what they do.
And I do view it as his greatest skill. He doesn't have a good shot at all, he's not that great of a skater. The fact is, being in front of the net is the only thing he's good at. He's a one trick pony. And why do I call it his greatest skill, well when you have a Weber slapshot coming at you multiple times a game and it doesn't phase you, that takes skill. Even some goalies flinch over his slapshot. I never said he was standing still, but he doesn't move more than a few feet either that's why I said he stands in front of the net.
But please continue to call me out over my opinion of Hornqvist. I'm sorry I offended you so sorely.
His wrist shot is very good as he has been known to snipe goals after crossing the blue line and while it isn't a super fast shot his accuracy is very good. Now I'll agree when it comes to his slap shot. He is more likely to clear the puck around the board than hit the net with a slap shot but his wrister is very good.
Up close maybe, but not far away from the net. The image below is all of his goals since 2009. This would indicate otherwise.
This is awesome.
Here is the link if you want to look at anyone else:
http://www.sportingcharts.com/nhl/i...ar=&r1eventType='GOAL'&r1type=2&r1strength=#8
Up close maybe, but not far away from the net. The image below is all of his goals since 2009. This would indicate otherwise.
That's awesome, but this aren't all his goals.
This one for example is missing, maybe there are more missing
No such thing as an own goal in hockey
I understand the other team gets credit for it and the last player who touches the puck gets credit but what I meant was since it went in off a defender, the chart may not be counting that.
I mean there's no official own goal stat. Of course they happen.
I'm sorry, but Hornqvist's shot is below average. In fact, most of his game is below average. He is, as most have said, tremendous in front of the net. He also commits himself totally to the team. This doesn't negate his poor hands, poor stickhandling, average wheels, and average defensive zone play at ES.
Love the guy, but he is not a catalyst and not a scorer outside of the goal crease/net. Anyone saying he is, is not watching him closely.
I think the argument really comes around the puck bouncing off him and him actually making a hockey play. He is anything but a sniper, but he does way more than just let it bounce off his butt. He will benfit from being with Crosby and Malkin, but he is not a skill guy. In the end this is a good trade for both teams.
In that case I don't know. I know they have him scoring one from behind the goal line in that chart so that one must have deflected.I understand that and that's not what I was meaning, my point was just for the purpose of the count on the shot map of his goals.