On Friday night at Scotiabank Arena hockey fans will be treated to what on its face appears to be a much more coherent, exciting version of the skills contest. You see, what they’re going to do is compete at various individual relevant-to-hockey skills, a brave concept that folks in Toronto seem more than ready for.
Below is a look at each of the opening six events, as well as the players who have signed up to compete in them. Players will be given points based on where they finish in each event (five points for first, four for second, etc.) and so I’ll note some of the favourites, and the individual skills they’ll use for you to keep an eye on.
(For a closer look at what each of the individual events are, make sure to check out our primer, too.)
FASTEST SKATER
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers; William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs; Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks; Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche; Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders.
Assessment: We’ve got a runaway favourite here in McDavid, but don’t forget: Mat Barzal actually beat him in a previous edition of the fastest skater contest in 2020. McDavid and Barzal are the only guys in the group who show up in the NHL.com Edge data when it comes to speed bursts, as McDavid sits second in the league in 22-plus MPH bursts, exceeding that number 43 times. His top speed is fourth in the league as well, which is to say: he’s still the prohibitive favourite.
Skill to watch for: The skaters’ upper body lean as they crossover around the corners. The lower half leans in like a motorcycle racer, but the upper body counters that lean to keep from going over.
ONE TIMERS
Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks; Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche; Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers; Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning; J.T. Miller, Vancouver Canucks; Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs; Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders; David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins
Assessment: This is a fun addition to the skills event, as it’s an offensive attribute that’s risen greatly in importance over the years. When you think of who’s most threatening when they’re loaded up on the PP flank, two names catch my eye: David Pastrnak, and Leon Draisaitl. Pasta can cook it, but can place it pretty well too, while I think of Leon as one of the more reliable guys in terms of getting solid contact and hitting the net. If it’s accuracy on a one-timer you’re after, Draisaitl is a big threat.
Skill to watch for: Keep an eye on where in their stance different shooters like to take their passes. I liked getting the puck ahead of the middle of my stance, but some of these guys prefer it well behind that. Also, look at the bottom hand of the shooters – it’s one of the places you see real stylistic variations among the best shooters.
PASSING CHALLENGE
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche; William Nylander; Toronto Maple Leafs; Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche; Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders; J.T. Miller, Vancouver Canucks; Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning; Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks; Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers; Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks; Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs; Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
Assessment: These guys did not come to the skills contest to do a bag skate, and this seems easy enough. Can’t blame everyone (except Pastrnak) for signing up for this as one of their four events.
Skill to watch for: How different players use their curves. The guys with wedgier blades sauce the puck with a little chip, while the guys with less loft tend to roll the puck more heel to toe.
HARDEST SHOT
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs; Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche; David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins; J.T. Miller, Vancouver Canucks; Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
Assessment: Well, nobody in the NHL really takes slap shots these days. It’s rare to have the time and space and, when you do, you’d still rather get it off quick and surprise the goalie. But Pettersson has won this before, so he’s the favourite, and really, Pastrnak is the only other guy who uses a non-one-timer slap shot, so I’ll put him as your next-best pick. I am curious about Matthews though. He may be able to rip it, he just chooses not to in games in favour of other shots.
Skill to watch for: How guys use the flex of their stick. Players use way more flex than they did 10 years ago, let alone 20, mostly to aid their wrist/snap shots. Will anyone use a stiffer flex? Can you really bomb a slapper with an 75-85 flex stick?
STICK HANDLING
Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks; Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers; Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks; Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning; Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers; Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche; David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins; Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders; William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs
Assessment: McDavid seemed to be the only guy whose hands can keep up with his feet, but I’d say MacKinnon has joined that group. It’s theirs to lose, with some love to Hughes and Barzal as steady puck carriers.
Skill to watch: Heads up. Knowing what’s coming is a huge advantage, so who can do all that dangling while taking the fewest look-downs at the puck?
ACCURACY SHOOTING
Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning; Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche; Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers; Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks; J.T. Miller, Vancouver Canucks; David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins; Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche; William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs; Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers; Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
Assessment: This seems like the prototypical, classic skills event. The best have had success here throughout its history, and I can’t think of one name in here who doesn’t have a fair chance to win it. Given Matthews played the off-flank for years, catching and quickly releasing shots, I’d imagine he’s a favourite with the likes of Kucherov and Pastrnak.
Skill to watch: How players set their shot up after catching it. Some guys like to use the catching of the pass as the “backswing” of the shot. Some like to get a clean stop on it and ensure it’s settled. With milliseconds at stake, the catch is a huge part of getting the release right.
The top eight players in points after these six events will get to move on to a shootout, where they’ll pick which netminder they want to shoot on between Jeremy Swayman, Alexandar Georgiev, Jake Oettinger, Sergei Bobrovsky, Cam Talbot, Igor Shesterkin, Thatcher Demko, and Connor Hellebuyck. The goalie who makes the most saves can win $100,000.
And then, finally, the top six players will compete in the final event, an obstacle course that combines all of the above skills.
It’s going to be a fun competition, and with a million dollars at stake, I imagine we’ll get some real effort. Can’t wait.
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