Skating Analytics/Development Group

In the same vain as Goaltending, I'd also add a group to analyze and evaluate individual skater technique and efficiency/proficiency. Employ advanced hi-tech skating analytical methods, model the player's stride, identify mechanical inefficiencies in skater technique, determine the cause(s) and what the player can do to rectify it. The solutions could be both improved technique and increased strength. This analysis would apply to draft picks as well as current roster players.

From what I understand, all the Oilers have now is D. Pelletier doing skating drills with players.
There is a lot of room to advance this, as a comparison try to imagine the high level of analytics and evaluation used by NCAA football teams with their players, never mind NFL. Oilers could start by checking to see what analytical methods/equipment some of these programs use, and apply it to skating.. maybe even hire them to help create something.. people in their kinesiology departments are likely involved at some level.. both sports likely have some transferable similarities, could be a good head start for an Oiler program, rather than trying to start from scratch.

Again, there is no salary cap on hockey operations, IMH Oilers should maximize its potential benefits.

I've thought about this before.. I remember the one summer Ethan Bear came back and his skating (speed/agility) had improved remarkably, he said he had spent the summer working with D. Pelletier, I wondered then why every Oiler prospect isn't required to do this, it sounded like Bear had to seek out the additional training on his own.. the other case was when Leon came back after a summer of training and his skating speed had improved considerably.. the focused training obviously works, it proves a drafted player's skating is not destined to stay at draft level, it would be great if every players skating abilities were able to be maximized.

This idea was refreshed again this playoffs when I heard an announcer saying during a game that one of the teams had a full time skating development group, and it was responsible for one of the players improving his speed (forget who).. So someone has already thought of it.. Oil need to get ahead of the curve.

IMO a skating development group would pay immense dividends, especially for young prospects. A lot of franchise capital is spent on draft picks, some have the skill and desire, they just need to be a couple of rungs higher in speed and agility.
The cost of the program would be paid back many times if you can manage to get a lower draft pick develop into an NHL level player .. if a pick has high level skill but average speed (lower ranked pick), and you have a skating development system that gets results, you can help maintain a steady supply of young NHL talent coming up on lower ELC's and help manage the cap.

I think the key is to get the players when they are still young and are still able to modify and improve skating mechanics.. gets harder to change as the player gets older when technique becomes burned into the nervous system.

.. just a couple thoughts.


I envision something similar to this.. :)

[Updated on: Sat, 20 May 2023 02:06]

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