Raistlin
Registered User
- Aug 25, 2006
- 4,585
- 3,376
one oddity is that he didnt "hit the wall" in game 60, he is striving, I did not anticipate that from a guy coming from NCAA. Why? Pettersson is 6'2 and slight, you see him always fall forward, its either he's being impeded by hooks and grabs or he's not strong enough on his skates, thats so far the only knock on him, his skill is otherwise otherworldly, ahead of Hughes.
We always hear that QH's skating is effortless, that means he can maintain his effectiveness as the game wore on, like last night, he seemed to be on for the whole OT, at the end of the night you realized he played a whooping 27 mins.
Another less talked about aspect of great skaters is elusiveness, add to the fact that he has a lower CoG at 5'9, he's just hard to lay a hit on if he kept spinning away from you or move laterally away from an incoming check, he loses less stamina if he's not absorbing hits. I remember talking to Paul Kariya one time how he's dealing with the physical toll after coming back from the Suter check, and he said he learnt how to spin off off checks, like how a judo practictioner uses the flow of the incoming momentum against the person applying the force. Hedican is a great skater too, but his is just being his stride. In addition of a smooth stride, like Makar/Hedican, QH has insane pivots and edges, thats why it seems like he can go whichever direction he pleases on the ice. As an observer, I realize its as exciting seeing Bure getting separation on a breakaway as seeing Hughes do the same thing going backwards, or sideways away from a forechecker. Like a darting pinball, defying physics.
I think IF Makar didnt have his injury, and an extra 10 days during his bye week, he would be slowing down. I was full on expecting Hughes to hit the wall by now just like Pettersson. As it stands, since they are 20/21, I look at Pettersson with a higher projected ceiling, and Hughes being more consistent and unique beast, imagine a minute munching 5'9 rearguard.
