Nice Article on Kasper Simontaival in The Athletic
Paywall
https://theathletic.com/2536540/2021...ce=weeklyemail
Heres the thing about the way the game is trending that I always come back to: Inside the offensive zone, it really does slow down. Straight-line speed and explosiveness can help a player transition pucks, and lead rushes, and occasionally turn defenders for the odd chance. But once the play sets up inside the offensive zone, other skills take over. Skills of puck control, directional changes (a completely different kind of skating), maneuverability and problem-solving help a player make plays. Skills of shooting help a player finish plays. The ability to read and anticipate coverage help them win the games 5-10 foot races and get open. Approach dictates how a player then uses all of those skills and whether or not they go to the quote-unquote dirty areas.
And in each of those ways, Simontaival thrives.
https://theathletic.com/2536540/2021...ce=weeklyemail
Quote:
Heres the thing about the way the game is trending that I always come back to: Inside the offensive zone, it really does slow down. Straight-line speed and explosiveness can help a player transition pucks, and lead rushes, and occasionally turn defenders for the odd chance. But once the play sets up inside the offensive zone, other skills take over. Skills of puck control, directional changes (a completely different kind of skating), maneuverability and problem-solving help a player make plays. Skills of shooting help a player finish plays. The ability to read and anticipate coverage help them win the games 5-10 foot races and get open. Approach dictates how a player then uses all of those skills and whether or not they go to the quote-unquote dirty areas.
And in each of those ways, Simontaival thrives.