shottasasa
Registered User
I don’t think JR meant fast as in skating speed. I think he was referring to decision making. He traded for Phil Kessel who isn’t a very good skater
Kessel's whole game was built around his speed and shot
I don’t think JR meant fast as in skating speed. I think he was referring to decision making. He traded for Phil Kessel who isn’t a very good skater
I firmly believe that Green’s coaching played a part in this as well.Teams can be fast in 3 ways :
1) Raw footspeed - having players who skate fast.
2) Motor/3-zone game/puck pressure - having guys who even if they aren't burners skate miles, hound the puck, and push the play.
3) Puck movement - having guys who can transition the puck and push it up the ice quickly.
We're a slow team in all 3 ways, and have been for pretty much the entire Benning era.
Prime Kessel could fly despite not being in great shape. I remember that those Leafs teams were very Benning era Canuck-like. Usually outshot and relied on scoring their ES goals off the rush and broken plays.I don’t think JR meant fast as in skating speed. I think he was referring to decision making. He traded for Phil Kessel who isn’t a very good skater
Prime Kessel could fly despite not being in great shape.
I think the ability to play fast is more important than the ability to skate fast. It's not mutually exclusive, but one doesn't necessarily equal the other either.
Bailey is probably the fastest skater on the Canucks this season, last season it was Virtanen. Point being, the ability to mentally process the game fast is far more important than skating really fast. Quickness and agility also trump straight line speed.
Teams can be fast in 3 ways :
1) Raw footspeed - having players who skate fast.
2) Motor/3-zone game/puck pressure - having guys who even if they aren't burners skate miles, hound the puck, and push the play.
3) Puck movement - having guys who can transition the puck and push it up the ice quickly.
We're a slow team in all 3 ways, and have been for pretty much the entire Benning era.