There shouldn’t be mixed reviews on his skating. He’s not exactly Quinn Hughes, but he’s very mobile and smooth in every direction. Not the fastest but nowhere near slow.
RD Zayne Parekh - Saginaw Spirit, OHL (2024, 9th, CGY)
- Thread starter GermanSpitfire
- Start date
Yet there are. Even his skating teacher talked about how ugly his skating was when he first came to her, and admits that he still has work to do.
I think it's ok, as he is an excellent athlete, and seems to be driven to succeed. His skating will get"fixed". As you pointed out, he already has good edges and mobility... with some work he will be an above average skater.
I also think his physicality will be good enough, even though it looks unimpressive even in junior. I do wonder whether he will ever have much of a defensive game, but if he realizes his offensive game in the NHL then you live with it... most offensively gifted dmen don't have great defensive games. Most of their energy is poured into offense.
HarrySPlinkett
Not a film critic
Edgework is exceedingly more valuable than top end speed, especially for defensemen.
of the many Bob Hartley quotes that stick in my brain, one of them is about hockey being a game of 15 foot races - Parekh wins those 15 foot races a lot.
Everything is important, when it comes to skating. If your skating is fast you can get back to pucks quicker on D zone retrievals, giving you extra time to make a first move or pass, and avoid forechecks. Being faster allows you to skate away from opponents when you have the puck, or evade them when jumping up into the play. Skating fast is also invaluable when getting back into a play if you are caught out of position(which will happen a lot to Parekh unless he changes his game), or covering for a D partner who is beaten.
15' bursts are important, edges and pivots are important, and speed over longer distances are important. While you don't need the long stretches of speed often, those are the ones that are often critical in either getting back on a breakaway against, or creating one. I would argue that offensive Dmen have more opportunity to use longer runs of speed, because they are often starting from deep in their own end, and ending in the O zone. That can be up to 200', maybe more with some changes in direction.
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Show me the mixed reviews. All I have seen is his skating being described as "incredible" and "fantastic."
I have also seen him live and was head and shoulders better than everyone on the ice in a game between Saginaw and Owen Sound.
I will get to see him a couple of more times this year as well. Have you seen him live?
Ya I don't see how someone can watch him skate and be doubtful of anything.
If he's getting mixed reviews there's like ten guys in the NHL with good skating haha
If he's getting mixed reviews there's like ten guys in the NHL with good skating haha
I think you’re just kinda wrong to be honest. He’s pretty clearly already an above average skater. I’m sure he could improve on his leg strength and burst, but he’s smooth as butter on his edges. Elite prospects in their draft guide called him #1 in the entire draft in terms of 4-way mobility.
Kingpin794
Smart A** In A Jersey
Its really only the straight line speed that needs real work. that extra step could really help down the line.
I can’t fathom how anyone who has watched Zayne Parekh would question his skating ability. He is an outstanding skater and can change games with that attribute alone.
La Bamba
Tier 2 Fan
- Aug 23, 2009
- 9,679
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hate to say it since its the Flames but i think this guy is going to be a franchise D man
Love the divisive opinions. Perfect compliment to the boom bust potential of this prospect.
Context in which this takes place is important. In Zayne's own words regarding a spinorama pass on his first shift. "No I was just trying to have fun show my skill, you know I was trying to make plays, I'm not playing the game properly out there I'm trying to show my skill and have some fun." So read into it what you will, but understand this wasn't Zayne showcasing how he plays the game. He has flaws and is well aware of them if you watch a sample size of interviews you will see him indicate this.
Full question and answer at 1:07
Seems like a very smart young man. That's a good place to start.
JackSlater
Registered User
- Apr 27, 2010
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