Blackhawks Rookie Oliver Moore's Speed Proves Game-Changing Asset
In a display of his blistering speed, Blackhawks rookie Oliver Moore burst past Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe down the left wing and reached a top speed of 21.62 mph to get to the puck first, creating a quality chance in alone on goalie Joseph Woll.
Moore's rapid acceleration has made him an instant asset for the Hawks since his call-up at the beginning of the month. The 20-year-old project's Swiss Army knife role – capable of filling any position from top-six to bottom-six forwards – is not just about the physical aspect, but also about mastering skills that set him apart.
While Moore's speed has allowed him to outmaneuver opponents, it remains a learning curve for the young player. In a recent game against the Devils, Moore created a semi-breakaway opportunity by building up speed on a breakout from the defensive zone and evading one opponent in the neutral zone before getting flattened by two others.
However, instead of attempting to beat Ondrej Palat and Stefan Noesen to the net, Moore opted for an improbable pass to Connor Bedard, which unfortunately went awry. Nevertheless, this incident added more data points to Moore's mental assessment that he can indeed outrun most NHL competition when moving.
Moore has now earned a secondary assist on Teuvo Teravainen’s tying goal and boasts three points in six games, with 20 speed bursts exceeding 20 mph – an impressive figure. The analytics models have also taken notice of his impact, crediting the Hawks with a significant scoring advantage during his five-on-five ice time.
A crucial aspect of Moore's game that has garnered attention is his ability to battle below the goal line in the offensive zone. Despite being undersized and speedy, he excels at drawing bigger opponents into a corner, creating space for himself or teammates.
Moore himself acknowledges that every game presents an opportunity to showcase his skills and improve further. As he continues to develop his mastery of speed, agility, and strategic awareness, he is poised to become an indispensable asset in Chicago's top-six or bottom-six forward lines.
In a display of his blistering speed, Blackhawks rookie Oliver Moore burst past Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe down the left wing and reached a top speed of 21.62 mph to get to the puck first, creating a quality chance in alone on goalie Joseph Woll.
Moore's rapid acceleration has made him an instant asset for the Hawks since his call-up at the beginning of the month. The 20-year-old project's Swiss Army knife role – capable of filling any position from top-six to bottom-six forwards – is not just about the physical aspect, but also about mastering skills that set him apart.
While Moore's speed has allowed him to outmaneuver opponents, it remains a learning curve for the young player. In a recent game against the Devils, Moore created a semi-breakaway opportunity by building up speed on a breakout from the defensive zone and evading one opponent in the neutral zone before getting flattened by two others.
However, instead of attempting to beat Ondrej Palat and Stefan Noesen to the net, Moore opted for an improbable pass to Connor Bedard, which unfortunately went awry. Nevertheless, this incident added more data points to Moore's mental assessment that he can indeed outrun most NHL competition when moving.
Moore has now earned a secondary assist on Teuvo Teravainen’s tying goal and boasts three points in six games, with 20 speed bursts exceeding 20 mph – an impressive figure. The analytics models have also taken notice of his impact, crediting the Hawks with a significant scoring advantage during his five-on-five ice time.
A crucial aspect of Moore's game that has garnered attention is his ability to battle below the goal line in the offensive zone. Despite being undersized and speedy, he excels at drawing bigger opponents into a corner, creating space for himself or teammates.
Moore himself acknowledges that every game presents an opportunity to showcase his skills and improve further. As he continues to develop his mastery of speed, agility, and strategic awareness, he is poised to become an indispensable asset in Chicago's top-six or bottom-six forward lines.