"Edgework" – where previously skating was categorized into "Mobility," "Agility," and "Quickness," today, the often mysterious "Edgework" is discussed. This refers to the ability to get off the mark quickly, and to turn and pivot. "Strong edging, digs in," "great edges," or "does excel on his edges" are phrases that can be adopted or not. "High-traffic edgework" would then describe movement in congested areas.
Depending on one's preference – one scout may be content with brief reports, while another writes the ice hockey version of "War and Peace" – skating with and without edgework can be described in more detail.
As always, especially with NHL reports, the current state is less interesting than a prediction of the player's abilities in a few years.
Note: "He plays with an edge" means something different, namely that he brings toughness, even if that is becoming less and less important in today's hockey. "Plays with jam" was and is a phrase with the same meaning, so it doesn't just describe Paddington Bear.
Flanks – also in ice hockey
"Four-Way Skater" – another term nobody used years ago. It describes players who can move quickly and well in all directions. This is especially important for defenders – one moves well laterally but has problems skating backward (the decisive criterion for defenders). Another, however, turns quickly and can also pick up speed well but tends to be static sideways on the blue line.
Again, a more precise description of strengths and shortcomings should appear in at least one of several reports and not just be subsumed under the term "Strong Four-Way Skater."
"Flanks" or "Elbows" – both terms have crept in over recent years and are being used more and more, whether by coaches or scouts. They refer to the position on the power play that I still call the "Halfwall" – meaning the players who operate from the right or left boards and can be scorers or playmakers.
"Flanks" reminds me too much of crosses in football, "Elbows" of anatomical explanations. I don't see much added value in it...
Boxing is not boxing
"Gap Control" – established for some time, but also a term where many a scout avoids more precise descriptions.
"Plays a tight gap" would mean that the distance between the defender (this category is only important for them) is just right. Acting like a libero, meaning giving the forward too much space so they can find open areas or pick up speed, is frowned upon. But if the gap is "too tight," the opponent might create space with a quick turn.
"Boxing out" – rather favored by coaches, but of course also by scouts. Years ago, I read a translation of this in a daily newspaper as "punching away."
However, it's not about fistfights, but about the ability to keep attackers away from one's own goal or to move them out of the shooting lane. This can be done with muscle strength, good stick work (light cross-checks or lifting the opponent's stick), long reach, but also with footwork. Simply delivering a blow to the opponent's head isn't what's meant here, not least because that's not even possible anymore today. "Body leans" – also a new term – where you lean into the opponent with strength in your lower and upper body, that *is* what's meant.
"Outlets" – this isn't about shopping in Parndorf, but about the ability of defenders to move the puck out of their own zone or at least out of traffic with passes. Even more sought after and a relatively new description: "Puck Transporter" – what used to be a "Puck-Carrying D" is now often described with this term.
Goalies also have their terms
"Play/Puck Tracking" – for goalies, there's naturally a distinct vocabulary. Many scouts don't feel comfortable evaluating these positions anyway and are happy to outsource it to specialists (like Jürgen Penker in Florida).
This refers to the ability to follow the puck, which is quite significant for goalies. For instance, in situations behind the net, you should always cover the half of the net where the puck is located. Passes in front of the net, where the shooter then has half an open net, should be anticipated in this way.
But this naturally applies to all situations – I recall an ICE preseason game years ago, when a defender on the blue line passed to his partner, who shot from there and scored. The goaltender hadn't even processed the pass when the shot already went in, which is almost unforgivable in situations far from the net.
Just one scene, yes, but I did note down "Puck Tracking?" at the time. The goalie didn't have a long career ahead of him after that...
