But what a weapon if used effectively.
I think that puck handling skills for a goalie is one untapped area in the game, where some of the biggest improvements could be achieved. Whereas today, for every Mike Smith it Price, goalies excellent at handling the puck, there are several other goalies average to below handling it. I believe it will reverse over the next several years. Goalies are spending more time developing this skill.
How effective is that pass Berdin made, imagine if he can manage to do it successfully 85% of the time. You could change your hole game plan for breakouts, a Ehlers up the middle would be instant offence from 200 ft away.
Teams would not be able to dump and change or chase if that was the case.
With skill improvements made in most areas of the game, from generations, this area hasn’t gotten that much better. I thought with the removal of the redline years ago that this would have encouraged goalies to be better puck handlers and passers.