Bobby Ryan's skating: Is it that bad?

I know this might be an old topic but I haven't had a chance to follow ever since the WJC. I know that skating has now became a big thing for this "new" NHL and I know all Bobby needed to do was work on his legs but is his skating really that bad? Is he really moving at the pace of a snail's?

Once he's set in the zone he's fine. But he's a worthless forechecker because he can't ever get where he needs to be. He's totally dependent on his linemates right now.

Once he's set in the zone he's fine. But he's a worthless forechecker because he can't ever get where he needs to be. He's totally dependent on his linemates right now.

Which further proves that he isnt ready...if he cant forecheck he cant play on this team.

He does have awesome stick skills, and he shrugs off checks really well. *bright side*

Sounds like Owen Sound for his own good

What concerns me isn't the fact that Ryan's a bad skater, but that it sounds like he isn't improving. What happened to that great interview that made it sound like he was going to work on his weaknesses the past year?

There are really two concerns with Ryan and they each go hand in hand. Yes, his skating isn't the greatest, but I believe a lot of that can be addressed by improving his general conditioning. He's gotten in trouble before for not being in the best shape (leading to nagging long-term injuries, like his leg problem last season).
I've heard a lot from a number of sources about how Ryan was working hard to be in the best shape of his life for this camp, but apparently the results aren't there. I'm not intimately familiar with his training program, nor do I know how hands-on the Ducks are with what his fitness and nutrition. But I think that could be a huge factor in the problem. Maybe he is fit and he's just not training properly? Bigger isn't always better...
Obviously, the bigger you are, the more hockey player you have to lug up and down the ice. Ryan was a pretty big boy when he was drafted and he's probably put on five pounds since then. I'm not sure if it's all muscle or not, but simply being that bulky must make it difficult to try to train the legs to be explosive and help improve his skating.

I know this might be an old topic but I haven't had a chance to follow ever since the WJC. I know that skating has now became a big thing for this "new" NHL and I know all Bobby needed to do was work on his legs but is his skating really that bad? Is he really moving at the pace of a snail's?
He needs to get his skating to an average level, I have zero concerns about him inside the offensive blueline it's stuff like backchecking in transition, entering the zone with speed, and forechecking that are going to be problems. He will draw alot of penalties, he needs to contact the Niedermayers skate coach..

There are really two concerns with Ryan and they each go hand in hand. Yes, his skating isn't the greatest, but I believe a lot of that can be addressed by improving his general conditioning. He's gotten in trouble before for not being in the best shape (leading to nagging long-term injuries, like his leg problem last season).
I've heard a lot from a number of sources about how Ryan was working hard to be in the best shape of his life for this camp, but apparently the results aren't there. I'm not intimately familiar with his training program, nor do I know how hands-on the Ducks are with what his fitness and nutrition. But I think that could be a huge factor in the problem. Maybe he is fit and he's just not training properly? Bigger isn't always better...
Obviously, the bigger you are, the more hockey player you have to lug up and down the ice. Ryan was a pretty big boy when he was drafted and he's probably put on five pounds since then. I'm not sure if it's all muscle or not, but simply being that bulky must make it difficult to try to train the legs to be explosive and help improve his skating.
As long as he's putting the work in that eases some of my concerns, if he's not going to be fast then he's going to have to play a meaner game.

How does Ryan's skating compare to Penner's?

Penner has poor acceleration. That's it. He's an NHL-caliber skater with a very high top speed once he gets motoring, enough to blow by defenders every now and then.

Ryan skates like Stu Grimson, only slower.

I remember watching Gezlaf and Perry in their rookie camp of 03 and they weren't that bad. Obviously, their skating has improved alot. Ryan's a different case. Like Capt said, he skates kinda like a goon out there. He needs to be quicker on his feet. You can survive with average speed and Ryan does glide a lot. However, if you're not quick then it will be hard to win battles for pucks in the corner. Or you can't cut around players and get positioning. Ryan can get away with his puck skills at the lower levels but in the NHL, everyone skates so well. He's always going to be catching up to the play. I have a feeling this problem won't go away any time soon.

Maybe he'll be like Adam Oates, (who was slow) and be so smart and sneaky he'll become a great set up guy... :dunno: Of course Oates basically had average speed almost.

Other than that, I can't think of a really successful NHL player who was slow. Ryan's screwed if he doesn't improve.

Wasnt Ray Sheppard real slow? Dave Andreychuk wasnt fast either.

Maybe he'll be like Adam Oates, (who was slow) and be so smart and sneaky he'll become a great set up guy... :dunno: Of course Oates basically had average speed almost.

Other than that, I can't think of a really successful NHL player who was slow. Ryan's screwed if he doesn't improve.
Jason Allison comes to mind, as far as foot speed and size go. I think Ryan's a little craftier with the puck, but that's probably just a matter of being young still.

Hearing what you guys are saying about Ryan's skating speed, it makes me sort of dissapointed that Burke got him 2nd overall last year. Really hope he pans out.

Jason Allison comes to mind, as far as foot speed and size go. I think Ryan's a little craftier with the puck, but that's probably just a matter of being young still.

Are you sure he's Allison bad?

Are you sure he's Allison bad?

With time, I think he could improve to the level of Allison. I'm not exaggerating.

If Bobby Ryan aspires to be as fast as Jason Allison, who did Allison aspire to be when he improved?

Uh....Adam Oates?

He's a terrible skater. And not only that, but he gets knocked down easy when he plays against NHL level players. He's gotta go back to juniors.

I just watched him play at the pre-season game against the Kings. He fell down 4-5 times on the ice. Yes he's pretty bad at skating. He can definitely stick handle, but his skating is definitely a liability.

I didn't think his skating was that bad tonight, he kind of reminded me of Prospal with his hunch-backed skating.

It's just leg strength though, he skates well enough but those stubby chicken legs just aren't doing him any favors. I mean the Ducks could gamble on him this year and keep him around so their trainers can get his legs strong enough because it's obviously not working in Owen Sound. But that's more than likely not happening so when he gets back to OS he really, really needs to work on that because it's the only thing keeping him from being a dominant NHL player.

Ryan should be in the AHL. He's not ready for the NHL. Unless the puck is on his stick, he's trying to catch up to the play most of the time. I agree with Joe. He's not that bad of a skater. There's just no power in his leg for a guy of his size. Nonetheless, I would be concerned about the guy if he doesn't have any heart. Or he's lazy or has no hockey sense (ala Chad Kilger). However, Ryan wants to do well. We know he has the talent. He just doesn't have the horsepower to perform at the level expected of him. Since he is only 19 years old, I'm going to give him one more year. If by next training camp 2007 and he hasn't improve enough, I'm jumping off the Bobby Ryan fan club.

It's just leg strength though, he skates well enough but those stubby chicken legs just aren't doing him any favors. I mean the Ducks could gamble on him this year and keep him around so their trainers can get his legs strong enough because it's obviously not working in Owen Sound. But that's more than likely not happening so when he gets back to OS he really, really needs to work on that because it's the only thing keeping him from being a dominant NHL player.

I was at the game last night, and yes, Ryan was just horrible at skating. But with the exception of his slow turtle-like skating, his hand are just amazing!!! I saw him deke like crazy just like how Ovechkin does it, and he has a lot of upper body strength just like him. I think a year in the AHL will do him well, but if the coaching staff decides to put him on the fourth line I guess that'll be fine too. He needs a lot more skating practice, but I defenitely see the talent he has to become a star for the ducks;)

Ryan should be in the AHL. He's not ready for the NHL. Unless the puck is on his stick, he's trying to catch up to the play most of the time. I agree with Joe. He's not that bad of a skater. There's just no power in his leg for a guy of his size. Nonetheless, I would be concerned about the guy if he doesn't have any heart. Or he's lazy or has no hockey sense (ala Chad Kilger). However, Ryan wants to do well. We know he has the talent. He just doesn't have the horsepower to perform at the level expected of him. Since he is only 19 years old, I'm going to give him one more year. If by next training camp 2007 and he hasn't improve enough, I'm jumping off the Bobby Ryan fan club.
I wish we had Brule right now but Ryan has a few skills that can't be tought, his hockey sense and vision/passing are NHL quality. Leg strength is something that can be tought it just takes time, it's nothing that power skating drills, riding the bike and maybe using a leg press can't fix.

The vast majority of players take time to develop. Ryan looked pretty solid playing among the other top end prospects in Portland last spring...and that as a kid who just turn 19. At times he was absolutely phenomenal...at times he looked like he was lost. I guess maybe I come to expect that of any young player. Frankly the same could easily be said for Getzlaf, Perry, and Penner last year in Portland.

The reality here is that we are talking about a 19 year old who by most rational standards should be getting another year of juniors under his belt before this conversation even takes place concerning his readiness for the NHL. I know some fans had him penciled in as a potential Duck this year...the reality is most first rounders (even the top few picks) don't even break in the NHL their first year out of juniors as 20 year olds. The vast bulk of teenagers aren’t ready mentally or physically to play with men. That is just the cold hard reality…it doesn't mean in any way shape or form that he won't DEVELOP into a top NHL player. Most players need to develop...

Indeed, especially those of the power forward variety who normally enjoy staying within the development process longer than most.

Other than that, I can't think of a really successful NHL player who was slow. Ryan's screwed if he doesn't improve.


hmm... yep Andreychuk comes first to mind, as well as Allison. Brunette and Savard aren't marvellous skaters either, nor are they big by any means - but successful. Marty Reasoner comes to mind as a first round pick who's been held back mainly by his skating issues (and nagging injuries), though having very good hockey sense.

Ryan is so young, give him a couple years and he might improve to a level where he's an average skater. A lot of training will definetely help, but it also has to do with having a feeling for it or not. Though, that feeling can be improved.

On the other hand, I sometimes wonder how professionals, who've been skating every day for more than two or even three decades, can be so bad at it (like Allison and Andreychuk)...

Just for fun (and not in seriousness)... we should try to come up with similes to describe Ryan's skating. I'll start. He moves as slow as molasses in Antarctica in winter.

Just for fun (and not in seriousness)... we should try to come up with similes to describe Ryan's skating. I'll start. He moves as slow as molasses in Antarctica in winter.

Slower than a sloth on acid.

Slower than Master P on a dancefloor.

reference to all you Dancing with the Stars fan. ;)

To answer the question that sparked this thread, yes, Ryan's skating is *that* bad. Does that mean he can't be an impact NHLer? No. People need to be realistic in their expectations and understand that he'll need another year or two (or maybe more) to put it together. By then he'll be what-22? Seems about right for a "power forward" type, or at least the kind of player that has Ryan's frame.

Slower than Master P on a dancefloor.

reference to all you Dancing with the Stars fan. ;)
You missed the chance to say something about slower than the move to quit your mod-ship.

You missed the chance to say something about slower than the move to quit your mod-ship.

lol. I guess the power that be decided not to revoke my position. Frankly, I didn't think I would have much time. But lets just say I found time to surf HF on the company's dime. ;)

There are really two concerns with Ryan and they each go hand in hand. Yes, his skating isn't the greatest, but I believe a lot of that can be addressed by improving his general conditioning. He's gotten in trouble before for not being in the best shape (leading to nagging long-term injuries, like his leg problem last season).
I've heard a lot from a number of sources about how Ryan was working hard to be in the best shape of his life for this camp, but apparently the results aren't there. I'm not intimately familiar with his training program, nor do I know how hands-on the Ducks are with what his fitness and nutrition. But I think that could be a huge factor in the problem. Maybe he is fit and he's just not training properly? Bigger isn't always better...
Obviously, the bigger you are, the more hockey player you have to lug up and down the ice. Ryan was a pretty big boy when he was drafted and he's probably put on five pounds since then. I'm not sure if it's all muscle or not, but simply being that bulky must make it difficult to try to train the legs to be explosive and help improve his skating.

This is a very good post. Owen Sound fans have complained that Bobby has burnt out the last half of the last 2 seasons and injuries and lack of production was a result. Leg strength and conditioning can be fixed. lack of hockey sense and skill can't - don't worry Ryan has those 2 things.

As slow as uncooked escargot recreating the Tour de France.