Can a player learn to finish?

[wadesworld]

We all have players on our favorite team who have a frustrating inability to finish. Right in front of the goalie, nobody within 3 feet and they shoot it into the goalie's chest.

I'm sure most would say that "finish" is a skill with which you're born. Some players just have it, and others don't.

However it made me wonder, has anyone ever seen an example of a player who dramatically improved his "finish" ability during his career?

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[CraigsList]

I don't know... But if you can, I'll sign up Paul Byron for the class.

 

[hototogisu]

However it made me wonder, has anyone ever seen an example of a player who dramatically improved his "finish" ability during his career?

I haven't really followed his entire career close enough to say, but Alex Steen came to mind?

And it's certainly not a case of "learning" to finish but maybe you could even point at Corey Perry going from a very good goalscorer to an elite goalscorer as a case of a guy improving his finish.

 

[trick9]

Marcus Johansson scored 8 goals in first 15 games this season after being flaming pile of garbage (in terms of his goalscoring ability) so it's possibly. They often come back down to earth though.

Alex Steen is one that comes to mind.

 

[rumrokh]

It seems to be difficult if not impossible for an NHL-age player to start getting to different areas of the ice required to finish more often. But if they're already good at that, yes, a player can improve certain facets of their game that helps them finish. Most notably, their shot. Some guys definitely come into the league with a crazy shot and that remains a weapon for them for their career, but shot is a skill you can definitely improve. Al MacInnis has talked about shooting as a skill players can develop at the NHL-level before, and Alex Steen is a great example of a guy who has obviously done that.

 

[Tatar Shots]

During their NHL career? It is possible, but I can't think of any examples that come to mind. Gus Nyquist was passed over in the draft multiple times and when the Wings drafted him, his shot was one of his biggest weaknesses the team pointed out. It wasn't until he was 23 that he started scoring regularly in the AHL/NHL

 

[Anglesmith]

I don't know... But if you can, I'll sign up Paul Byron for the class.

I don't know if he's a good example for the OP is talking about. Up until this year, Byron was a dynamite finisher. Never had a problem finishing breakaways. He even said that himself. Then suddenly this year he's had a rash of bad luck.

Honestly, to the OP, I don't think natural ability is as much a factor as confidence. A confident player will score more often than one scared of failing. A player's confidence can go through wild swings, and if they go long enough without scoring, it's conceivable that they may never get back the confidence in those situations.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

It seems to be difficult if not impossible for an NHL-age player to start getting to different areas of the ice required to finish more often. But if they're already good at that, yes, a player can improve certain facets of their game that helps them finish. Most notably, their shot. Some guys definitely come into the league with a crazy shot and that remains a weapon for them for their career, but shot is a skill you can definitely improve. Al MacInnis has talked about shooting as a skill players can develop at the NHL-level before, and Alex Steen is a great example of a guy who has obviously done that.

This is spot on. If you are a guy with great hockey IQ and go to the right spots, you can certainly improve your finishing ability by a substantial margin. These are guys that tend to be puck magnets around the net / high slot. Players like Crosby, Parise, Tavares, Gaudreau . . . they have developed elite puck skills in close to go with the superb way they can read the play.

Crosby is a great example of a guy who improved his finishing ability. Coming out of junior, he was an excellent finished around the net, getting tons of chances and capitalizing. When he stepped into the NHL, he was still getting the chances, but wasn't finishing at the same rate. He realized he'd have to improve his shot and handeye to be as dominant as he was in the Q. He worked tirelessly on side of the net one timers and deflections to the point that he became automatic from there.

I think a guy like Gaudreau will show similar improvement. It seems like every other game he gets robbed in tight. Pucks thay he'd bury against NCAA goalies and defenseman are getting snagged by bigger, more athletic keepers. Still, the puck seems to follow him around, and he's getting tons of great looks. As he matures and continues to focus on bearing down, he'll be another great example.

 

[AlowlyMcOilersfan]

I think the question is not just about the ability to put the puck in the net, but it's more about the complete natural ability of a player.

I don't think it's "can a player learn to finish?"

I think it's "can a player completely change the way he plays?"

Players do the latter in order to become valuable. If they are unable to score at the NHL level, they polish other skills and work on the defensive aspects of the game. They do what they need to do to stay in the organisation.

But can a player with very little offensive skill change into a goal scorer by changing the way he plays completely? Can he develop his game to such an extent that he looks like a completely different, much better player? That seems like a very difficult task.

 

[pckstpr31]

I would say yes. I imagine it's hard, like learning any language, but with time and practice I would think it's achievable.

 

[1989]

Sure, just move to Finland and stay long enough to obtain citizenship.

is sarcasm really needed here?

 

[57special]

Espo?

 

[CanadienShark]

This is spot on. If you are a guy with great hockey IQ and go to the right spots, you can certainly improve your finishing ability by a substantial margin. These are guys that tend to be puck magnets around the net / high slot. Players like Crosby, Parise, Tavares, Gaudreau . . . they have developed elite puck skills in close to go with the superb way they can read the play.

Crosby is a great example of a guy who improved his finishing ability. Coming out of junior, he was an excellent finished around the net, getting tons of chances and capitalizing. When he stepped into the NHL, he was still getting the chances, but wasn't finishing at the same rate. He realized he'd have to improve his shot and handeye to be as dominant as he was in the Q. He worked tirelessly on side of the net one timers and deflections to the point that he became automatic from there.

I think a guy like Gaudreau will show similar improvement. It seems like every other game he gets robbed in tight. Pucks thay he'd bury against NCAA goalies and defenseman are getting snagged by bigger, more athletic keepers. Still, the puck seems to follow him around, and he's getting tons of great looks. As he matures and continues to focus on bearing down, he'll be another great example.

Just so you don't think I **** on everything you say, I think your analysis was excellent here.

 

[The Hockey Tonk Man]

I'd pay for Paille to go to this school if there was one

 

[Dabeast]

No but they can learn how to Czech! Thank you I'll be here all week.

 

[a tribe cq]

Just what the doctor ordered for Carl Hagelin.

Kid will have at least one breakaway a night, and hits his target every night, problem being the target is the goalies chest.

 

[icKx]

Just what the doctor ordered for Carl Hagelin.

Kid will have at least one breakaway a night, and hits his target every night, problem being the target is the goalies chest.

Darren Helm is in the same boat: lightning feet; stone hands.

If he could convert on even half his breakaways...

 

[Bandit]

Trevor Lewis says no, emphatically.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

If Janick Hansen could score half of his breakaway chances, he world be a 30+ scorer every season.

 

[Blues88]

I haven't really followed his entire career close enough to say, but Alex Steen came to mind?

And it's certainly not a case of "learning" to finish but maybe you could even point at Corey Perry going from a very good goalscorer to an elite goalscorer as a case of a guy improving his finish.

Steen is a really good example. His shooting ability was always evident (at least to me), but along with increasing his output, his decision making and shot selection improved even more so. No doubt his ability to get the puck through from distance has contributed to his growth as a good PP player. Not trying to be homerish, but he's the only player I can think of right now that kind of has a verifiable track record. Even then, his goal totals would look like they were tied to shot increases, but his improvement as a player warranted the increase in both shots and TOI as the years have gone on.

This was a good/weird question. A decent contingent of players initially comes to mind but then you quickly realize they had "it" but were young or didn't/don't use it. Now that I think about it, Getzlaf might be a decent candidate....though he also had an absurd shot. Greater efficiency for him last year versus his other 20+ goal years, so it isn't as cut and dry as more shots = more goals.

 

[BostonBruins11]

you need to develop muscle memory, improve reflexes..... and the only way to improve that is ...... practice, repeat, practice, repeat... you get the idea lol.... player needs to put a ton of time developing this

 

[Vesa Awesaka]

A lot of european players? Lots of them come from low scoring leagues and some of them become great scorers in the NHL. At least thats one thing i've perceived. You dont see many CHL players make the NHL at grinders and become scorers

 

[Avsboy]

Very few players suddenly develop into goal scorers. You either have it or you don't and should focus on grinding it out, passing, other aspects of the game.

 

[Vesa Awesaka]

Darren Helm is in the same boat: lightning feet; stone hands.

If he could convert on even half his breakaways...

wasnt helm an elite finisher in junior?

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Just so you don't think I **** on everything you say, I think your analysis was excellent here.

Thank you good sir, I always welcome good discussion and analysis, which your posts typically contain.