MapleLeafs9
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- Sep 22, 2011
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Nielsen's skating isn't even bad He'll be a staple in our top 4 and 1st PP in the future
Nielsen's skating isn't even bad He'll be a staple in our top 4 and 1st PP in the future
As has been mentioned, it's not really his "skating", but more his edge work, pivots, change of direction etc. Basically the technical aspects.
There's a difference between 17 minutes against guys like Eric Fehr and 23 minutes against Crosby
Watch when he walks he blueline then watch gardiner or rielly do it.
He is raw as you say but moving sideways is his weak point right now. His pivots are a bit clunky too when he is moving at speed.
Lots of time for him to improve in these areas.
Over 90% of the NHL's d men can't skate like Rielly and Gards.
Id respectfully disagree.
His skating is below par for good AHL players. His issue is going to be (IMO) he is not overly physical and doesnt have a big mean streak, so his ability to skate and use his stick are that much more needed.
To play in Babs system you need to be able to quickly jump up from the point, and transition quickly back when a play dies or is broken up.
Id say right now his skating would be roughyl on par with where Hal Gill was in his 'prime', just Hal Gill was physical and played in a more clutch and grab league.
If you can get him really dedicated for a full summer to box jumps and other explosive movements he would probably see a huge benefit. *Doesnt hurt he will be a year more physically mature*
Watch when he walks he blueline then watch gardiner or rielly do it.
He is raw as you say but moving sideways is his weak point right now. His pivots are a bit clunky too when he is moving at speed.
Lots of time for him to improve in these areas.
He has bad feet, not real bad but below average and very hard to overcome. His decision making at NHL level in the only game I saw live was horrible...but only one game so who knows and he struggled with the speed of the game so, maybe more processing at the speed of the game will see improvement.
I agree with that, his speed will not be an issues. learning his pivots and edge work and the technical part of his game will elevate him as a player, all this he can learn and work on this year and next with marlies, leafs and barb Underhill. I can see Nielsen and Dermott being used in leafs top 5 rotation in a couple years.
Ewww ya I was hoping it wasn't bad feet.
Could you explain how to identify bad feet? I know we spoke of this before but I don't think I asked you then.
Clunky, and slow, players pick up their feet higher then required and lack a lot of fast twitch muscles. Easier to see on transitional skating, when changing directions, their foot work is methodical looking rather than smooth and quick looking. Watch Dion on his pivots as an example and he is only sightly below NHL level.
He has better feet than Finn did and he has a lot better body mechanics so he is not as big as a project, but I would not be counting him in as a player who would play a lot of minutes either. Hope he can improve enough to be a NHL D man as he has a lot of offensive upside.
Dice, I think you're being way too hard on him. Nielsen's problem is his agility purely. His top speed is actually not too bad even at this point in his development. It's a purely mechanical concept to position your body so you can cut off gaps and pathways. That is something Barb can help with. And she has been known to help players get noticeably faster. Connor Brown has made huge strides in terms of explosiveness under Barb if I'm not mistaken. Nielsen has all the hockey IQ and talent to be a top pairing D in this league. And I am talking about those two way, minute eating D, ala Shea Weber.
I'd be shocked if he's a NHL player.