Guys Who Significantly Improved Their Skating

[Big Phil]

Ducks fans would know better than me, but...

As I recall, Corey Perry was pretty awkward on his skates in junior and this was one of the biggest knocks against him as a prospect.

He's still not the world's smoothest skater but this obviously isn't an issue now.

The first name I thought of actually. Perry was having a spectacular season with London of the OHL but was cut from Team Canada at the WJC. His skating was a main concern despite the fact that he was great with the puck. The following year he had another great year and this was London's big year and it was impossible to cut him from the WJC. However, his skating was always an issue. He has improved I think and I think the Hart trophy might suggest this.

Just a side note, Dickie Moore won two Art Ross trophies despite not being a very good skater at all - ever. I think it was because he broke his leg when he was young and never really developed proper muscles in his legs.

Someone mentioned Spezza, and I do remember him in the OHL and having his skating being a question mark. However, a lot of it if I remember correctly was due to Spezza's hunched over skating style and the fact that he was so big that made it look like he was a slow skater. It was deceptive with him, he just had big strides. He was never really slow.


How about another name? Brett Hull? Never ended up with blinding speed but was a more than capable skater once he hit his stride. However, not so much when he was younger.

 

[byrone12]

Donald Brashear was one guy who really improved his skating.