Many NHL goalies played other positions growing up, some even until their early teens.
Goalies like Jake Oettinger believe they could have made it as skaters, citing their hockey sense and athleticism.
Others, like Jeremy Swayman, are more skeptical, pointing to skating as a potential limitation.
Some goalies, like Joonas Korpisalo, express confidence in their skating and offensive abilities.
Why this matters:: It highlights the evolving athleticism and versatility required of NHL goalies, challenging traditional notions of the position.
The question of whether NHL goalies could have made it as skaters delves into the changing demands of the position. No longer are goalies simply expected to stop pucks; they must also be able to handle the puck, read plays, and even contribute offensively.
Goalie Perspectives:
Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars):: Confident he could have been a two-way defenseman. "I think I’d be in the NHL for sure. Solid defensively. A little offensive upside."
Joey Daccord (Seattle Kraken):: Doubts his skating ability and physicality. "I don’t think I would have made it. I wasn’t a good enough skater. I also don’t like getting hit too much."
Joonas Korpisalo (Boston Bruins):: Believes he could have been a fast, skilled winger. "Of course! Of course! I was a really good skater. Fast winger with a good shot."
Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins):: Questions his skating but acknowledges his shot. "I’ve got a pretty good shot. But I don’t think my skating is nearly as good as some of these guys. I probably wouldn’t have made it past high school."
Linus Ullmark (Ottawa Senators):: Despite being a goal scorer when he was younger, doesn't think he would have made it as a skater due to skating and maturity.
Comparable Players:
Several goalies provided comparisons to current NHL skaters:
Oettinger envisions himself as a mix of Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell.
Korpisalo sees himself as a Ryan Poehling type.
Swayman compares his shot to Victor Olofsson.
The Modern Goalie:
USA Hockey encourages young goalies to play other positions to develop a more well-rounded skillset. The position requires not only shot-stopping ability, but also hockey sense, puck-handling skills, and athleticism.
Q: Are NHL goalies more athletic than they used to be?
Yes, today's goalies are generally bigger, faster, and more athletic than in the past.
Q: Do any current NHL goalies play other positions in their free time?
Some goalies, like Tuukka Rask and Andrew Raycroft, have played forward in alumni games.
Modern NHL goalies possess a diverse skillset that extends beyond simply stopping pucks.
Many goalies have the potential to play other positions, but skating and physicality can be limiting factors.
The position of goalie has evolved significantly, requiring a high level of athleticism and hockey IQ.
Could these players have made it as skaters? Some think so, and some aren't so sure.
Do you think these goalies could have made it as skaters? Which goalie do you think would have had the most success at another position? Let us know!
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