Commentary on 2015 NHL All Star Skills Competition

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 Skills Challenge Relay

Jan 24, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Team Foligno defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) of the St. Louis Blues competes in the skills challenge relay in the 2015 NHL All Star Game skills competition at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Ok, this one’s a little involved. Each team puts up 14 skaters and one goalie. The relay includes five challenges — one-timers, passing, puck control, stick handling and goalie goal. Just like with a regular relay, each leg needs to be completed before moving on to the next.

Except for the goalie goals, you get the feeling these relay challenges could be parts of actual practices.

Team Foligno:
Relay 1

Team Toews:
Relay 1

  • Shea Weber, (one-timer RH)
  • Justin Faulk, (one-timer RH)
  • Tyler Seguin, (one-timer RH)
  • Ryan Getzlaf, (one-time passer)
  • John Tavares, (mini net passer)
  • Johnny Gaudreau, (puck control)
  • Mike Hoffman, (stick handling)
  • Jaroslav Halak, (goalie goals)

Team Foligno:
Relay 2

Team Toews
Relay 2

Results: Each team won a heat.

Comments: Anze Kopitar has been trained well by the LA Kings, who are known for their tape-to-tape passes. He was tight with his saucer passing.

Patrick Kane’s puck-handling is pretty impressive — no question. Carey Price’s stick handling is pretty nice to watch though. And Vladimir Tarasenko has one tight skating style.