The extinction of the big slapper

[sabres48 0]

Let me just start off by saying the title is not literal, in any nature. However it seems to me that over the last few years of the NHL, going back from before the lockout, till now, the digression of the slapper has been very apparent. Maybe, its just me, but i just dont see the big wind up as much anymore. I've even noticed more wristers from the point. Beyond the profesional level, down to travel, and highschool, i have since too noticed that players are less prone to wind up, than before. I dont really have an explanation as to why this is happening.What do you guys think? Is it just me?

[RadioGaGa 162]

Let me just start off by saying the title is not literal, in any nature. However it seems to me that over the last few years of the NHL, going back from before the lockout, till now, the digression of the slapper has been very apparent. Maybe, its just me, but i just dont see the big wind up as much anymore. I've even noticed more wristers from the point. Beyond the profesional level, down to travel, and highschool, i have since too noticed that players are less prone to wind up, than before. I dont really have an explanation as to why this is happening.What do you guys think? Is it just me?

With less contact in front of the net, and fewer bodies being moved...a well placed wrister/snapper may have a better chance of creating a scoring rebound than a hard shot fired in.

*shrug*

Maybe?

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

think its more of a "we've got 4 more feet of room, lets try to be creative" mentality leading to waiting waiting waiting for that perfect shot. Instead of puck on net, puck on net, every chance you can.

[Lufria 1]

I believe since the rule changes, the NHL is promoting more skills and moves rahter then a physical game. (at least that's my opinion) I to agree that the slapshot has digressed. I think we see more crosby/ovechkin moves along with many other players rather then see the big cannon on the blue line.

But, that's not to say a big slapper can't be as exciting. Everyone remembers this??

[Jarick 5]

Or this one:

If the NHL played on Euro rinks, we might see more. But it's so quick and in such a small area that there isn't the time for the windup.

[thorpedo26 0]

Let me just start off by saying the title is not literal, in any nature. However it seems to me that over the last few years of the NHL, going back from before the lockout, till now, the digression of the slapper has been very apparent. Maybe, its just me, but i just dont see the big wind up as much anymore. I've even noticed more wristers from the point. Beyond the profesional level, down to travel, and highschool, i have since too noticed that players are less prone to wind up, than before. I dont really have an explanation as to why this is happening.What do you guys think? Is it just me?

i noticed this to. slaper goals from the blue line are my fav to :(

[Lufria 1]

Let me just start off by saying the title is not literal, in any nature. However it seems to me that over the last few years of the NHL, going back from before the lockout, till now, the digression of the slapper has been very apparent. Maybe, its just me, but i just dont see the big wind up as much anymore.I've even noticed more wristers from the point. Beyond the profesional level, down to travel, and highschool, i have since too noticed that players are less prone to wind up, than before. I dont really have an explanation as to why this is happening.What do you guys think? Is it just me?

I didn't even see that part. Nothing annoys me more then someone who just wrists it from the point. If your going for the deflection, why not just slow down the slapshot?

I don't know, maybe just me.

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

because if you wind up, it's a tell that a shot is coming.

[Lufria 1]

with a wrist shot, they have a considerable amount of time to read the shot.

[Aussie Joe 0]

Sometimes the best result is when you don't even use the slapshot! The best for me being a pointman in our roller hockey team's PP line is taking a few hard shots early, gets the PK'ers thinking Im gonna shoot all the time. When this happens my other pointman knows to creap in a few more feet and wait for my fake slapshot to pass, leaving him a huge amount of space to one time slap it or even cruise in for an easy wrister. Depending on how much space we've created for him earlier in the cycle play. A simple trick, but effective.

[Lufria 1]

agreed. That's really one of the most important skills on the pp or on the point in general when cycling the puck; the fake slapshot. Most times then not, the defender buys it. Really opens the play up and creates a few more options in the attack.

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

with a wrist shot, they have a considerable amount of time to read the shot.

not if they're doing a "slowed down slapper". there's guys who can fire a faster wrist shot than some guys slappers, let alone a 'slowed down slapper' as you suggest.

[ktang 34]

Maybe it's the light composite sticks letting players shoot harder wristers and snappers. Ray Bourque used to use only slappers from the point earlier in his career, and then he started wristing to, as others pointed out, avoid flagging the goalie.

Maybe it's because the goalies and their techniques are so much better now.

The other big slapper that has gone extinct is the slapper down the wing.

But there are still some practitioners, like Kariya (down the wing), Souray, and McCabe (point shots).

[chippa13 1844]

with a wrist shot, they have a considerable amount of time to read the shot.

not if they're doing a "slowed down slapper". there's guys who can fire a faster wrist shot than some guys slappers, let alone a 'slowed down slapper' as you suggest.

Accuracy, tipability, and the increased power guys can generate on wrist shots with 1 pieces. All reasons why guys take wristers from the point.

Maybe it's the light composite sticks letting players shoot harder wristers and snappers. Ray Bourque used to use only slappers from the point earlier in his career, and then he started wristing to, as others pointed out, avoid flagging the goalie.

Maybe it's because the goalies and their techniques are so much better now.

The other big slapper that has gone extinct is the slapper down the wing.

But there are still some practitioners, like Kariya (down the wing), Souray, and McCabe (point shots).

Don't forget improved protection for players and their willingness to block shots. A big wind up makes it much easier to block a shot.

[Chadd 916]

1. Defenders usually don't give guys enough time to take a full windup. Big slappers just end up getting blocked most of the time anymore.

2. It's tougher to tip a big slapshot than a wrister or snapper.

3. You just can't beat goalies with a slapper from the point anymore. If he can see it, he can stop it in most cases.

4. Wristers and snappers are more accurate. If the goalie is screened, you might as well take a shot that is going to have the best chance to hit the spot you want.

5. Modern tapered sticks will give you nearly all of the velocity you would have put on your slapper without the big windup.

[cougarscaptain87 12]

it seems that every wings game i go to, lidstrom seems to find the back of the net from the point, but besides that i have noticed from watching around the league that the slap shot is becoming closer and closer to non exsistant. i think you guys are on the right track that with the guys who have ridiculous moves like sid, ovie, and datsyuk that using point men as pivots to change the pace of the offensive attack and allowing the forwards to cycle and get open where they can unleash one of their moves and have a greater chance of finding the back of the net within 20 feet instead of shooting from 60 feet away.

[JR Boucicaut 3808]

Not mentioned yet, but goalies are taking up more net as well.

[sabres48 0]

Not mentioned yet, but goalies are taking up more net as well.

Not since the lockout, there has been a 10% reduction in goalie pad sizes.

[pantherfan 0]

Or this one:

If the NHL played on Euro rinks, we might see more. But it's so quick and in such a small area that there isn't the time for the windup.

What about this classic?

I agree that the slapshot is becoming more obsolete(sp?) possibly also due to quicker releases on shots alwell, it's certainly becoming more popular on the junior curcuit aswell seeing as the tactic of choice for most players these days seems to be to deke every player and goalie possible.

[JR Boucicaut 3808]

Not mentioned yet, but goalies are taking up more net as well.

Not since the lockout, there has been a 10% reduction in goalie pad sizes.

You don't think I know that?

Look at a goalie now and look at a goalie in the 70s.

They're bigger players to begin with, and their pads are bigger.

[rtwng20 0]

have to agree that the goalies are more skillful, but what about the defense men and forwards developing their shot blocking skills. with the advance of equiptment these days alot of players are now aquiring the cajones to block shots. i can't recall exactly but i believe shot blocking (by d-men and forwards) stat keeping is fairly new to the nhl and other leagues.

[Cavs019 710]

If the anything players of yesteryear had more balls, and this thread has nothing to do with the volume of shots getting through.

[sabres48 0]

Not mentioned yet, but goalies are taking up more net as well.

Not since the lockout, there has been a 10% reduction in goalie pad sizes.

You don't think I know that?

Look at a goalie now and look at a goalie in the 70s.

They're bigger players to begin with, and their pads are bigger.

I realize that, but i was reffering more to the later half of the 1990s till now, not all the way back to the 70's.

[Chadd 916]

If the anything players of yesteryear had more balls, and this thread has nothing to do with the volume of shots getting through.

If a slapper is more likely to get blocked, you're going to be less likely to take one.

[Law Goalie 147]

Not mentioned yet, but goalies are taking up more net as well.

Not since the lockout, there has been a 10% reduction in goalie pad sizes.

Ehhh not quite.

The reduction in pad width, frankly, meant little. The reduction in glove size wasn't a big deal either. Giguere's C/A still covers his ears, and his pants are still covering about 50% of the net on their own. Yes, I know there are rules about the sizing and fit of C/As, but they are simply not being enforced. Kay Whitmore's guys check the stuff after training camp, and that's it.

The velocity of a shot is only important if the goalie has to react to it. As velocity increases, accuracy decreases. If the goalie is already filling 98% of available net angle with a butterfly block, he doesn't need to react. Thus, accuracy takes precedence *unless* the goalie is off his angle.

Some guys will still try to blast shots through Brodeur and Nabokov - and have some success - because they almost never use positional blocking. They're largely reaction goalies. On the other hand, you'll almost never see guys wire tham at Giguere or (as a less effective example) Raycroft, because taking an extra look and an extra step to get off a wrist shot will open up the angle.