Another reason why slapshots have been on the decline is because hockey equipment has improved, especially regarding visors and face protection in general. Players are much more willing to jump in front of a puck going 140km/h to block it these days than they used to be in the past. Teams generally have big defensemen setting up slapshots now to send the puck through a crowd or to soften up the players in front of the net, but people are still willing to block the shots because they're less scared about getting hit in the head by the puck. Back in the day before the butterfly style of goaltending became popular, goalies dropping to their knees and intentionally blocking pucks with their face was not a thing at all
Slapshots are less used simply because it’s a mostly outdated shot in modern hockey. Having a good wrister is much more dangerous, because you can release it way quicker and score from almost everywhere.
Even 20 years ago we were coaching that the start of a slap shot to the puck reaching the goal was significantly slower than a quick snap shot or wrist-shot. The main difference from the was if the puck gets deflected goalies have time to correct themselves on wrist-shot diflections, whereas the slap-shot deflection is much more difficult to pickup on.
The slap shot is iconic but like everything in life, nothing lasts forever. The game has gotten so fast and goalies so good, getting a clean slap shot off and scoring is difficult.
The game is younger and faster. Back in the day, Gordie Howe played in, I think 5 decades of the NHL, he played with his son(s) on an NHL team before retiring. He would never be able to do that now. Watching a game end with a score like 1 or 2 nothing is boring hockey, goals are what excites fans. I don't watch as much hockey, mostly just the highlight reels. I'm glad to see the biggest stars in hockey are Canadian, still.
Players are bigger, faster and more skilled than ever, to the point where the ice seems smaller than it used to be. I'd like to see a larger ice surface...
As a Vancouver Canucks fan, this makes me think of Pavel Bure ('the Russian Rocket") - he was ahead of his time. He came from the Russian system where conditioning and training was paramount, all year round. He really stood out in his first years in the NHL due to his speed and puck-handling abilities. Very much a precursor to what we see as standard today. If a reaction interests you, see: "Greatest Canuck Series - Pavel Bure"
This is why I loved 4-4 OT, and I love 3-3 OT even more. But I like it in OT only. The game still should have the tough grind. A few feet wider, maybe 5 feet, would open it up, but still be tough.
Players these days are 100% professional athletes. There’s no such thing as “becoming too good”. As long as the toughness stays, let’s keep the speed and the competition. Also, love a Scottish interest in a Canadian game
The channel that made the video you're watching, Hockey Psychology, is one of the very best hockey channels on RUclips, as is the other channel he mentions, Pinholes Graham. He absolutely meant to hit the goalie on the mask...
slapshot is boring ~ stickhandling is way more fun to watch as players can get thru 4 players on way to the net ~ much more fun & jaw dropping exciting ~
In general, hockey has fallen victim to technology. The introduction of the composite stick has made every shooter on the ice much improved. In the days of wood sticks, goaltenders had to worry about maybe 25% of shooters, but in today's game, all shooters are a much greater threat to score. Rule changes have had an effect as well by reducing the size of goalie equipment. The NHL has also taken away a skill set from goalies by restricting where they can handle the puck. In days gone by, skilled goalies could actually control the puck and break up many offensive rushes before they even began by playing the puck early in their zone and passing off to one of their teammates. One last thing, is that the playing surface has remained the same size, leading to shots from close range as well as the disappearance of the snapshot due to lack of time and space to wind-up. Now that players are using more wristshots, their accuracy is much greater. Skill is at a premium much more than ever before.
Although people will scoff at it, Matthews changed the game. Before him it was all about prediction and knowing where the puck was going to go. Was the player going to shoot or pass and the thinking was you react your dead, you have to predict. Then Matthews came in and shocked everyone seemingly able to score at will. It's because they couldn't predict. He took how players shot and scored and turned it on it's head. Now as players have emulated him and some trying to take it to the next level it's not as much about being able to predict as it is about being able to react. He changed goaltending forever. It's a harder game for goaltenders now and easier for talented shooters. If Matthews played for any other team than who he does it would be all anyone is talking about. He's a different kind of generational player. The kind that changes the game and how it's played. Matthews didn't open pandoras box, he blew it apart.
No such thing as to good. Do not know why you would even post that. The only difference here is that the talent succeds because you can't hit anyone without it turning into a brawl and suspension. Beside people like fast games and lots of goals. Still have not caught up.. not sure what you mean by to good
No, if anything the game has been taken over by European soccer fans and made into something that it was never intended to be. By trying to speed up play and eliminate roughness (in order to appeal to a wider audience) they made the game more dangerous than ever.
@@mrfake675 It got that fast because nobody enforces unwritten rules anymore and cheap shots aren't punished. Injuries increased accordingly. It used to be that the worst injury you could expect is a goalie getting a broken nose.
@robertsmith4681 I like the speed. I was a small fast player and guys getting away with hooking and head shots used to be ridiculous. There's pros and cons to the modern game.
Another reason why slapshots have been on the decline is because hockey equipment has improved, especially regarding visors and face protection in general. Players are much more willing to jump in front of a puck going 140km/h to block it these days than they used to be in the past. Teams generally have big defensemen setting up slapshots now to send the puck through a crowd or to soften up the players in front of the net, but people are still willing to block the shots because they're less scared about getting hit in the head by the puck. Back in the day before the butterfly style of goaltending became popular, goalies dropping to their knees and intentionally blocking pucks with their face was not a thing at all
The Bouch Bomb 💣
Slapshots are less used simply because it’s a mostly outdated shot in modern hockey. Having a good wrister is much more dangerous, because you can release it way quicker and score from almost everywhere.
Even 20 years ago we were coaching that the start of a slap shot to the puck reaching the goal was significantly slower than a quick snap shot or wrist-shot. The main difference from the was if the puck gets deflected goalies have time to correct themselves on wrist-shot diflections, whereas the slap-shot deflection is much more difficult to pickup on.
@@Bearhoff yep, but you can also change the angle of your shot with a wrist shot much better than with a slap shot to trick the goalie.
This is why as a leafs fan I love watching Evan Bouchard (especially playoffs last year)
I love your enthusiasm and genuine curiosity to truly learn about this sport!
4:00 Sidney Crosby training on Citadel Hill in Halifax, N.S.
It's the standard arms race dynamic :)
The slap shot is iconic but like everything in life, nothing lasts forever. The game has gotten so fast and goalies so good, getting a clean slap shot off and scoring is difficult.
The game is younger and faster. Back in the day, Gordie Howe played in, I think 5 decades of the NHL, he played with his son(s) on an NHL team before retiring. He would never be able to do that now. Watching a game end with a score like 1 or 2 nothing is boring hockey, goals are what excites fans. I don't watch as much hockey, mostly just the highlight reels. I'm glad to see the biggest stars in hockey are Canadian, still.
Great reaction! Please more hockey videos!! Anything by Hockey Psychology are worth a watch!
Players are bigger, faster and more skilled than ever, to the point where the ice seems smaller than it used to be. I'd like to see a larger ice surface...
Good slap shots are so rare nowadays, it is so hyped when players scores that way.
As a Vancouver Canucks fan, this makes me think of Pavel Bure ('the Russian Rocket") - he was ahead of his time. He came from the Russian system where conditioning and training was paramount, all year round. He really stood out in his first years in the NHL due to his speed and puck-handling abilities. Very much a precursor to what we see as standard today.
If a reaction interests you, see: "Greatest Canuck Series - Pavel Bure"
The slap shot still used is the one-timer.
One thing they should, but will never do, is make the ice a bit bigger. Not European size but somewhere in-between.
Less goals, more defensive structure and perimeter play on big ice. Small Ice means faster and more chaotic.
This is why I loved 4-4 OT, and I love 3-3 OT even more. But I like it in OT only. The game still should have the tough grind. A few feet wider, maybe 5 feet, would open it up, but still be tough.
I’d make the argument that we weren’t allowed to be fancy when I was growing up, or else I’d get benched
Players these days are 100% professional athletes. There’s no such thing as “becoming too good”. As long as the toughness stays, let’s keep the speed and the competition.
Also, love a Scottish interest in a Canadian game
The channel that made the video you're watching, Hockey Psychology, is one of the very best hockey channels on RUclips, as is the other channel he mentions, Pinholes Graham. He absolutely meant to hit the goalie on the mask...
No mention of the affect of discarding the illegal two line pass in 2004. Interesting.
Football needs to start with a more lax offside rule. If any part of the ball-receiving player is in line with the last defender, it should be good.
slapshot is boring ~ stickhandling is way more fun to watch as players can get thru 4 players on way to the net ~ much more fun & jaw dropping exciting ~
Offensive games are generally much more exciting to watch.
i prefer the defensive side of hockey. i get super annoyed watching 8-7 games.
In general, hockey has fallen victim to technology. The introduction of the composite stick has made every shooter on the ice much improved. In the days of wood sticks, goaltenders had to worry about maybe 25% of shooters, but in today's game, all shooters are a much greater threat to score. Rule changes have had an effect as well by reducing the size of goalie equipment. The NHL has also taken away a skill set from goalies by restricting where they can handle the puck. In days gone by, skilled goalies could actually control the puck and break up many offensive rushes before they even began by playing the puck early in their zone and passing off to one of their teammates. One last thing, is that the playing surface has remained the same size, leading to shots from close range as well as the disappearance of the snapshot due to lack of time and space to wind-up. Now that players are using more wristshots, their accuracy is much greater. Skill is at a premium much more than ever before.
They took away the goonery
Although people will scoff at it, Matthews changed the game. Before him it was all about prediction and knowing where the puck was going to go. Was the player going to shoot or pass and the thinking was you react your dead, you have to predict. Then Matthews came in and shocked everyone seemingly able to score at will. It's because they couldn't predict. He took how players shot and scored and turned it on it's head. Now as players have emulated him and some trying to take it to the next level it's not as much about being able to predict as it is about being able to react. He changed goaltending forever. It's a harder game for goaltenders now and easier for talented shooters.
If Matthews played for any other team than who he does it would be all anyone is talking about. He's a different kind of generational player. The kind that changes the game and how it's played. Matthews didn't open pandoras box, he blew it apart.
I'm glad hockey is on tv because tickets are very expensive.
Canuck here canada has the best players in the world because they understand the skill and the heart that it takes that's it!!!!!
It’s the Datsyuk effect. Two way play, inventiveness and game awareness.
Salp shot God Ovechkin
"Too".
all life, art, fun, joy & sport has been drained from modern sports
Min. 2 more teams for the 2025-26 season.
Yes, he meant to put it in off the goalie.
RUclipsrs are certainly not getting to [sic] good at grammar.
We read good and stuff.😁
@@O_Towne_Bear lol
The regular season and the playoffs are two different games, nothing cute flies in the playoffs, it's about team toughness and heart.
If you have an accent and say football my brain goes straight to soccer. Most foreigners will just say american football 😊
No such thing as to good. Do not know why you would even post that. The only difference here is that the talent succeds because you can't hit anyone without it turning into a brawl and suspension. Beside people like fast games and lots of goals. Still have not caught up.. not sure what you mean by to good
Bro fix your camera, this just look weird tbh
No, if anything the game has been taken over by European soccer fans and made into something that it was never intended to be. By trying to speed up play and eliminate roughness (in order to appeal to a wider audience) they made the game more dangerous than ever.
😂 you seem like someone who has played or followed hockey their whole life. Or just another American that doesn't know what hockey is
@@colejarvis666 Been a Habs fan for over 40 years ....
You think it's more dangerous then when Scott Stevens got applauded for head shots? Games definitely faster nowadays and that speed can be lethal.
@@mrfake675 It got that fast because nobody enforces unwritten rules anymore and cheap shots aren't punished. Injuries increased accordingly. It used to be that the worst injury you could expect is a goalie getting a broken nose.
@robertsmith4681 I like the speed. I was a small fast player and guys getting away with hooking and head shots used to be ridiculous. There's pros and cons to the modern game.
Nope not buying it. They are getting too SOFT
The rules are softer. The players aren't soft.
@@davidedwards3838 Ya they are. I got 2 eyes and can see it for myself thanks.
@@davidedwards3838 Yes they are. I can see it for myself