Great article! Probably the biggest reason for the dropoff in slapshots is one of hockey's greatest improvements over the last 20 years - the massive upgrade in skaters protective equipment. From modern skates to shin pads to the shells worn under the pants to shoulder and elbow pads, modern skaters are maybe better protected than we goalies were back in the day. Skaters have become fearless when it comes to shot blocking. Major Injuries from getting hit by the puck seem to be the exception not the rule. As a result, slapshots from the point have to beat 2 or 3 up to 6 goalies making it almost impossible to get the puck through to the net. That's why wrist shots from the point have grown in popularity - the shooter can get it off before everyone gets in position to block it.
One reason may be that “the point” is further away than it used to be because of expanded offensive zones… second is the Michelin Man expansion of goalie equipment behind the guise of “safety”. (Dryden was a big man, look at a side by side with modern equip!).
Both leading to needing more precise targeted shots, which composite sticks allow, giving more flex resulting in more speed from wrist shots than previous wooden sticks.
David that was fun reading. You always seem to make your articles interesting. Part the move away from the slap shoot in my opinion is the evolution of the sticks. We went from cave man clubs to the whippy speed inducing twigs of today.
Great article! Probably the biggest reason for the dropoff in slapshots is one of hockey's greatest improvements over the last 20 years - the massive upgrade in skaters protective equipment. From modern skates to shin pads to the shells worn under the pants to shoulder and elbow pads, modern skaters are maybe better protected than we goalies were back in the day. Skaters have become fearless when it comes to shot blocking. Major Injuries from getting hit by the puck seem to be the exception not the rule. As a result, slapshots from the point have to beat 2 or 3 up to 6 goalies making it almost impossible to get the puck through to the net. That's why wrist shots from the point have grown in popularity - the shooter can get it off before everyone gets in position to block it.
One reason may be that “the point” is further away than it used to be because of expanded offensive zones… second is the Michelin Man expansion of goalie equipment behind the guise of “safety”. (Dryden was a big man, look at a side by side with modern equip!).
Both leading to needing more precise targeted shots, which composite sticks allow, giving more flex resulting in more speed from wrist shots than previous wooden sticks.
David that was fun reading. You always seem to make your articles interesting. Part the move away from the slap shoot in my opinion is the evolution of the sticks. We went from cave man clubs to the whippy speed inducing twigs of today.
Glad you enjoyed it Johnny!
“Claw of archimedes in a satellite world” brilliant