Confirmed Signing with Link: Nichushkin signs with CSKA(KHL) for 2 years

[ZeHockeyFan]

And yet shooting the puck is a skill set that can be worked on, it can be practiced. Just like skating can be improved (to a point) so can shooting the puck. Ive never understood this mentality that shooting the puck was some mystical skill that cant be improved. Especially since most NHL players with awesome shots talked about how often they practiced it, over and over again.

Will he ever be a sniper, probably not, but he has started to elevate the puck, his earlier knock. Last year he had an abysmal shooting percentage, after not playing for almost a year, if he can get that do average, likely he scores a bunch of goals or at least generate rebounds, because he does already generate chances, both for himself and his team mates.

I don't think it's mystical, but I'd attribute it to a combination of genetic bio-mechanical traits, positional awareness, quick reading of the play, goalie's existing and future position, bought into fruition by consistent hardwork and practice that some possess and execute far better than a significant population of NHL athletes. Similarly, there are many skaters who despite good or better lower body physical strength could and can never skate as effortlessly like Mike Modano despite regular practice and there'll also be very few playmakers as good as Adam Oates.