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.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

It's bloody near impossible to improve a players skating once he's grown into his body.

The minor leagues are teeming with guys with great hands and hockey sense but not NHL skating ability.

Ottawa prospect Mark Stone should be worth watching. The guy has tremendous hands, size and hockey sense but he was taken in the sixth round due to a serious skating deficiency. The Sens got him a skating guru and say he's vastly improved but judging from his recent callup I just don't see it. I predict he busts.... a very unpopular view on the Ottawa board.

And, no, I can't think of a single player who entered the league with a pronounced skating deficiency who became a better than average skater.

He's still not the best skater but he certainly wasn't a bust.

 

[carjackmalone]

Luc Robataille
Bo Horvat
Joe Mullen
Brian Bradley
Steve Thomas

 

[quietbruinfan]

Dave Maloney was one of the first to work with an instructor. (I can't remember the name. I wonder if it was Nystrom's instructor)?

He improved considerably. He became a very upright skater.

 

[connellc]

Gino Odjick





1st video (penalty shot) seems nearly impossible that he made the NHL. I used to have a video of him scoring on a breakaway when Gino was in Philly and faced the Capitals, but it's been taken down.

 

[ESH]

Leon Draisaitl is the perfect player for this thread

The number one knock on him as a prospect was his skating. When he first came into the league he looked like he was skating in cement. He really improved his skating quick over the next few years though and now it’s certainly not a problem.

He’s still kind of an awkward looking skater, but he can get around the ice quick enough.

 

[tabness]

Brett Hull in college, Calgary, first season in St. Louis

Adam Oates in his early years in Detroit really worked on his skating

they joined forces in 1989-1990, the rest is history

 

[PistolPete]

It's bloody near impossible to improve a players skating once he's grown into his body.

The minor leagues are teeming with guys with great hands and hockey sense but not NHL skating ability.

Ottawa prospect Mark Stone should be worth watching. The guy has tremendous hands, size and hockey sense but he was taken in the sixth round due to a serious skating deficiency. The Sens got him a skating guru and say he's vastly improved but judging from his recent callup I just don't see it. I predict he busts.... a very unpopular view on the Ottawa board.

And, no, I can't think of a single player who entered the league with a pronounced skating deficiency who became a better than average skater.

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