Can a player learn to finish?

[DekeLikeYouMeanIt]

Joel Ward saw some serious improvement in his shot with Nashville.

 

[Mischa]

well one player managed to learn it quite well for a couple years then forget(well relative to talent) again...


(theres probably some name for it in stats but that year's average over the career average)
1
.96
.94
.90
1.31
1.63
.75
.875
.93

 

[trentmccleary]

Paul Kariya was drafted as a speedy playmaking with breakaway skills. He spent a lot of time after his first season improving his upper body strength, shot accuracy and release. CBC did a story on him back then and remarked on all of the dents he was putting into his parents garage door.

 

[mariemarie]

No. You have the sniper mentality or you dont.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

No. You have the sniper mentality or you dont.

Since when did finishing imply the need to snipe? Zach Parise and Sidney Crosby score a ton of goals, almost all of them from near the net.

 

[Brooklanders*]

Finishing ability is a trait that can improve with experience, practice and good coaching but the truly great scorers are born with such a skill.

Guys like Grabner are really frustrating to watch.

 

[FifthLine]

You can improve it slightly, but generally you either have it or you don't.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Matt Beleskey is just two goals away from doubling his career high, with 29 games remaining (previous high of 11, currently sitting at 20).

 

[FinRuutu]

Finnish is one of the hardest languages in the World but it can be done.

 

[startainfection*]

Yes, they can learn to get their shots off faster

 

[HanSolo]

Beleskey has.

 

[Getzmonster]

This thread screams Matt Beleskey. He's always had a wicked shot, but never had accuracy, and never had that scorers mentality to find the right spots on the ice. In his prior six NHL seasons, he's been a 4th line grinder that pretty much stood out for puck-hounding, hitting, and fighting every so often.

He worked with a skills coach this summer to improve his shot (and I assume other things offense-related), and looks like an entirely different player. He has been shooting just north of 17% the entire season.

 

[Foltronic]

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

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

I let out a gut busting laugh when I read your comment and noticed your avatar hehehe

 

[Cashville]

Colin Wilson has upped his finish this year rather dramatically. I don't think it's something that can be easily learned though; typically you see an innate talent with it even as a young player. I played hockey for 10 years; I was not a good player and had zero finish. You could have locked me in a room with Gretzky for two years and I'm not sure it would have changed anything.

 

[Sleepy]

Immediately thought of Marcel Goc when he was with the Sharks.