Big players who could skate like the wind

[Big Phil]

I am going to draw the line around the size of someone like Mike Modano. 6'3" 210lbs. or so was his usual playing weight. He was considered "big" and he's a good barometer. We all know Modano could skate like the wind when the system he played in Dallas let him do so. Honestly, an underrated skater in NHL history because it was a thing of beauty when he was in full stride. Plus he was such a rare player to be that size and skate so fast.

Who else is there? I remember Paul Kariya talking after the 2002 Olympics how he couldn't believe just how fast Mario was out there. He said that he could "flat out fly". Now, this was an older Mario too.

Does he apply here? You look at some highlights of him and one thing about him is that he had gears. When he had to he could get end to end pretty quickly, he just did it so fluidly. Watch how quick he does it in the 1991 Cup final on that split defense goal.

Ovechkin is another name that comes to mind, as is Lindros. Ovechkin especially of course. He's participated in the fastest skater events at the All-Star games and we've all seen his highlights. He's fast. How about Lindros. I think he had a very healthy stride and it never looked like he was going as fast as he was, but I think there are good videos of him with good speed. Check this one out in his rookie season at 9:50 into the video:


Trevor Linden in his early playing days I can remember him with some pretty good speed in Vancouver. Early to mid 1990s. Pretty good for a big guy. But does he apply here?

I know I will miss someone obvious, but who is it that had blazing speed for a big guy?

Click to read more...

 

[crobro]

Quite a few enforcers had some decent jets

Donald Brashear was one

 

[The Panther]

The thing is, a lot of these big guys don't look fast because they're so big. Mario is the classic example. Even when he was young, he often looked to be floating out there, but if you were a defender trying to stop him he would seem to be super-fast.

 

[streitz]

 

[FerrisRox]

The first name that came to mind when I read the thread title was Mario.

He was deceptively fast but his deadliest weapon, as already pointed out, was his ability to change gears quickly and when he had to get to open ice or get past at defender, he could quickly accelerate and be gone.

 

[JackSlater]

I think Kovalchuk and Robinson are appropriate. Jason Chimera as well.

 

[MXD]

The first name that came to mind is Chad Kilger.
I'm also absolutely not joking.

 

[Big Phil]

The first name that came to mind is Chad Kilger.
I'm also absolutely not joking.

Hmmmm.............I remember him having a heavy shot on the Leafs, but I definitely don't remember him with noticeable speed

I think Kovalchuk and Robinson are appropriate. Jason Chimera as well.

How on earth did Chimera never score more than 20 goals or 42 points in a season. He always seemed to have a job, because if you can skate like that you usually do. But maybe not the full toolbox?

 

[VanIslander]

39-year-old Marleau is 6'2, 220 lbs. and soars effortlessly up ice. Last season he beat young Marner on counterattack surges. His stride is so efficient he glides at top speed by the time he hits the blueline.

 

[brachyrynchos]

Oleg Kvasha (6'5 ~235lbs) was pretty fast.
Viktor Kozlov (6'4 ~230lbs) was quick.

 

[Killion]

Jean Beliveau @ 6'3" / 205 - younger version...
Frank Mahovlich @ 6'o" / 205 - which in comparison to todays standards is about avg...

 

[Nick Hansen]

Mats Sundin before he beefed up later on was pretty fast.

Example, 1:31:

 

[puckpilot]

Todd Bertuzzi.

 

[blood gin]

Eric Staal. 6'4 and 210. Was always an outstanding and fluid skater for his size

 

[sr edler]

Evgeny Artyukhin.

 

[koyvoo]

Jean Beliveau @ 6'3" / 205 - younger version...
Frank Mahovlich @ 6'o" / 205 - which in comparison to todays standards is about avg...

What about Franks brother Pete at 6’5”. He seems like a guy who’s size made his mobility appear deceiving.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Jay Bouemeester could really wheel back in the day for a big tall guy

 

[SealsFan]

He may not have been skating like the wind, but Big Phil could cover a lot of ground in a few strides.

 

[Rogue Winger]

I think Kovalchuk and Robinson are appropriate. Jason Chimera as well.

Kovalchuk is one of the best examples.

 

[Troubadour]

Haha, first to realize Fedorov was no peewee.

Also, Bill Guerin won the fastest skater comp, and he was a big chunk of meat.

 

[JackSlater]

Haha, first to realize Fedorov was no peewee.

Also, Bill Guerin won the fastest skater comp, and he was a big chunk of meat.

Fedorov is generally listed as a bit smaller than the guidelines posted by Big Phil. He isn't the first one mentioned though I guess. I hope that most people are aware that Fedorov wasn't small or even of average size.

Early career Serge Savard would be another player for this thread.

I'm a bit curious about the Conachers, who were smaller than the listed size but for their era were roughly equivalent I think. Were any of them particularly fast? Serge Savard, though a bit light

 

[Nick Hansen]

Malkin's not a slouch, either...

 

[Midnight Judges]

How on earth did Chimera never score more than 20 goals or 42 points in a season. He always seemed to have a job, because if you can skate like that you usually do. But maybe not the full toolbox?

We used to call him stone hands.

 

[sr edler]

But maybe not the full toolbox?

Chimera skated around with a half empty toolbox, must have been why he was so fast.

 

[Rogue Winger]

Fedorov is generally listed as a bit smaller than the guidelines posted by Big Phil. He isn't the first one mentioned though I guess. I hope that most people are aware that Fedorov wasn't small or even of average size.

Unless we go back to 80's standards I would think "big player" in hockey to be at least 6'3"

Fedorov is just under, but I guess it's up to the OP for defining what he meant.