He's one of the best skaters but I don't know about the best. He is very fluid and smooth with no wasted motions but there are faster top end skaters and skaters with better acceleration. He's in the Bouwmeester, Brian Campbell group of very natural, smooth striders.
Very difficult in recalling Bouwmeester committing to an offensive rush to the opposition goal line and being back in the play going the other way.
Bouwmeester looked effortless as he doesn't put the effort in or put himself in a position where he has to rely on his skating to bail himself out.
When Brodie is winding up in his own zone his skating creates room by throwing off the expected angles of the defenders. The opposition gives up the neutral zone and is scrambling to get back into their zone.
In the last 2 games of the Ducks series he is stopping the Ducks from smashing the Flames in the Neutral zone.
Just wish he'd stop firing pucks into shin pads. He keeps waiting until the guy is right in the lane and then shooting. Either get it off right away or try and fake and go around him, like Russell does.
Great d-man, but not much of an offensive instinct. Gio was the straw stirring that drink for sure.
Everytime I see Brodie skate up with the puck from behind his net, I always get scared a giveaway is going to happen. Yet he mostly makes it out mistake free. Such a solid player all around.
My favorite part about him is when I go to the new cap site and see his 4.6mil cap hit. One of the best contracts in the entire league and it hasn't even started yet!
I'm not I'd say Brodie is the best skater...but he has some amazing talent when it comes to getting around.
Certainly he doesn't have the best top speed nor the best first few steps. Both are excellent but I don't think he leads in either regard. I think you could argue he isn't even the fastest skater on the team with Byron and his Lombardi-esc speed (and the Lombardi ability to finish breakaways). What stands out is that he has no problem maintaining it throughout a game and he's so efficient that it doesn't often land him in trouble.
hyperbole, I don't think it's quantifiable at the top end of NHL players. then add in historical comparison details, skate technology, ice technology, etc.
I'll put it this way, Brodie is the best skater I've ever seen wear a flames jersey.
There's not really much to explain. Your main point was that Giordano is faster and I don't even think that is true. Brodie is just a better skater than Giordano. Not that Giordano isn't good, but Brodie is among the best in the league.
It might be a sign of end of times. The NDP get elected to a majority in Alberta AND codynw agrees with me.
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hyperbole, I don't think it's quantifiable at the top end of NHL players. then add in historical comparison details, skate technology, ice technology, etc.
I'll put it this way, Brodie is the best skater I've ever seen wear a flames jersey.
really!!?? You use an example of Duschene getting a loose puck in full stride and skating past Kevin Klein as evidence that Brodie is not the best or among the best skaters in the league. AND that it is not a discussion worthy topic.
Why would you be allowed to post here..... I see that you have not started any Threads .... I guess that some people are not allowed... for good reason
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Skating should be rated differently for Dmen and Forwards. Among Dmen he is one of the best skaters. He is able to cover for his D partner as well as anybody in the league.
The guy is going up against Getzlaf and Perry with Engelland as his D partner. It is time to start calling him elite
