Brassard's smooth skating, passing prowess and scoring touch are reminiscent of Pierre Larouche, who was a French Canadian offensive force for the Rangers in the mid-1980s.
And what their stats show, or seem to show, is that an aesthete's preference for smooth skating and passing over bumping and grinding may actually represent sound strategy.
PITTSBURGH — Detroit forward Henrik Zetterberg has earned his superstar status with offensive skill, smooth skating and goal scoring, but he swung this Stanley Cup finals the Red Wings' way by being a one-man defensive wrecking crew.
Late in the second period, when Florida's Mike Sillinger appeared to have a step on Niedermayer during a rush down ice, Niedermayer caught up to him with a smooth skating stride and poked the puck away before the Panther forward could shoot.
It certainly hasn't been all smooth skating for owners.
Subotnick makes a colorful analogy: "This ice rink hasn't been smooth skating.
Just focus on smooth skating and keeping the camera steady to give their tricks the camerawork they deserve.
So wowed by the silky-smooth skate style of Kidwell, Tom sponsors the boarder on the spot.
With decks usually 34 inches or longer; trucks (axles) adapted for easier turning; and big, soft wheels, longboards provide a smoother skating experience than boards designed for performing tricks.
The smooth architectural skate mecca of Barcelona, to the forever grinding granite slab benches of Prague and the transitions of the Ukraine.
Attempted by me, it was an exhausting struggle, particularly as I was using the fish-scale gripping skis designed for klassisch langlauf, not the smooth-soled skating models.
