The 21-year-old Anaheim Ducks Center said last month, “I just hit on something on the spot. ‘I don’t know, let your instincts take over.'”
Zegras has become the unofficial face of trick shots in the NHL, but he’s not the only one.Forward for the Carolina Hurricanes Andrey Svechnikov, 22, scored two lacrosse-style goals known as “Michigan”. October 29, 2019 against the Calgary Flames and December 17, 2019 against his Jets in Winnipeg.
Video: CAR@WPG: Svetnikov scores second in lacrosse style
And with a new wave of young stars coming to the league, we can expect even more.
“It’s always fun to see guys doing different moves that work, isn’t it?” Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane Said. “[Florida Panthers center Aleksander] Barkov had a goal last year to backhand in with the puck behind his back while skating forward.
“Doing something like Spin-O-Rama might be a flashy play, but it’s effective because you’re protecting the puck. From that position, a man can get the puck out of my body.” I can’t… if there’s a guy driving back, you can either pass or shoot. I like plays that mean something to them.”
It wasn’t a goal but an assist last season that Zegrath first stepped into the world of trick shots. Controlling the puck behind his Sabers’ net on December 7, Zeglas flipped the puck over the net and Sonny his Milan slammed it into the goal. On January 27, he scored a lacrosse-style goal against the Montreal Canadiens. On April 1, against the Arizona Coyotes, Zeglas pulled another “Michigan,” named after University of Michigan player Mike Legg, who made him famous on March 24, 1996.
Video: ANA@BUF: Zegras lobs Milan’s unreal pass
Showmanship was top notch at the 2022 NHL All-Star Skills on February 4th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.New Jersey Devils Center Jack Hughestwenty one, had a mini version of myself — Brecken Skoppett, the 10-year-old son of Devils equipment manager Chris Skoppett, came out of the box to score, and the two performed the same stick throw. Zeglas as Peter LaFleurVince Vaughn’s character in the 2004 comedy “Dodgeball” wore a white blindfold and the NHL mascot threw him a dodgeball, picked up the puck on his stick, spun it 360 degrees, and reversed to score .
Then Blackhawks forward Alex Devlincatnow with the Ottawa Senator, complete with a baby carrier, channeled his inner Alan from the 2009 comedy The Hangover. , who carried it up and shot it backhand from his stick, slamming it into the net.
Big goals and the creativity that comes with it are part of the next generation of NHL players, the Winnipeg Jets Center. Mark Shaifel Said.
“I’m actually watching them and it’s natural for them,” Scheifele, 29, said. They only do it on command so it’s pretty impressive.They obviously have a lot of skill.They have a lot of skill with their sticks and pucks and are definitely fun to watch.
new york rangers defense Jacob Truba and Canadians Forward Nick Suzuki Players around the NHL said they noticed trick shots and talked about them in the locker room. But Suzuki said he wouldn’t try it anytime soon.
“It may cross your mind a few times when they come around the net, but he (Zegras) is very good,” Zegrath said directly as he scored his ‘Michigan’ against the Canadiens. “You can practice as much as you want, but when it comes to the game, it’s different. It’s pretty special that he does it multiple times,” Suzuki, 23, said.
Admittedly, they are not popular with everyone. John Tortorella, who was an analyst for ESPN last season and is now coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, said he didn’t like the Zeglas-Milan goal.
“I’m not thinking hard about it,” Tortorella, 64, said on Dec. 10. Hard game, honest game. It’s almost become a showman. I know you need it and you have to sell the game, but I come from the likes of needing to play an honest hockey game.
blackhawks forward Max Domi When he was younger, he tried trick shots, but now he doesn’t. He’s not even their biggest fan.
“I don’t hate it at all. I think it’s great that you want to do it,” said Domi, 27. I always chirped “Svech” about it at Carolina (last season). . I don’t hate him, but I don’t like him either. i’m in the middle ”
Kane said that when he was growing up, tackling trick shots was frowned upon, saying, “We never did anything like that.” Why is it such a big part of the game for us? is. Are younger players looking to experiment and take more risks?
“I don’t know where it came from,” Kane, 33, said. [Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney] Crosby opened his hips and skated. It’s something I never did when I was a kid, but now a lot of these guys who are great skaters can do it and with some strength they can do it. [Minnesota Wild forward Kirill] Kaprizov or [Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale] Makar. So it’s pretty impressive to see something like that.
“Young players seem to look at their favorite players in the NHL and get certain things, but I’m not really sure where having them all came from or how it became effective. But Svechnikov has done it a few times.Maybe someone like Zeglas will find it effective and try to use it further.”
Columbus Blue Jackets Defense Zach WerenskiI skated with Zegras in Michigan during the offseason.
“I’ve seen it a few times this summer, and he’s been working on some things,” Werenski said. “But he doesn’t make mistakes. I asked him what his next move was and he said, ‘I want to try this this year.'” He showed me that. It worked perfectly when I did it. I can’t even explain what it is, but I have a feeling it’s coming from him this year.
Trick shots seem to be taking hold. Sure, there’s some difficulty and risk involved, but if it’s fun and ends in a goal, it’s worth the effort. Aside from his Zegras latest spin on “The Michigan,” no one knows what the next trick-shot goal will be.
And it may not be Zegrath’s.Forward for the Florida Panthers Matthew TakachukThe groin shooter, who has scored many times, said he expects new tricks this season.
Video: CGY@NSH: Tkachuk Wins OT
“‘Michigan’ has scored a lot since Svetnikoff. People score from their legs,” said the 24-year-old Tokaczyk. There will be something like kicking in the air towards the stick.
“What people are realizing is that players don’t do it to show off. I think they’ve done it all their lives and they’re just used to it. It gives them the best chance to score.”
NHL.com Editor-in-Chief Bill Price, columnist Nicholas J. Kotsonica, and staff writer Tom Gritty contributed to this report.
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