Comments for Scouting Jussi Rynnas at http://hockey.dobbersports.com , comment 1 to 2 out of 2 comments http://hockey.dobbersports.com Sat, 18 May 2013 08:24:55 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/justin-goldman/2805-scouting-jussi-rynnas#comment-6096 Jason, Good stuff!! I think you are dead on about his legwork and what you said about his knees. Part of what makes him look so "holey" around his core is because of his pads. They are stiff like Niemi's ... just black instead of white. Not the same kind of pad (Bauer vs TPS Response) but they are both stiff as wooden planks, so when he moves, the pads move a little more awkwardly than what we see with most NHL/AHL goalies that actually have a curvature to their pads or at least some kind of flex. One thing I would say about being at the top of his crease - I wouldn't say he looks scared (although I know you didn't mean it in that way ... just that he's more hesitant or a little tensed up). Part of the coaching and teaching in Finland is a triangular aspect of crease play. In North America, it's all about arcs. By triangular, I mean that they teach in Finland a style where you minimize movement by pushing from the post to the center, then the center back to the opposite post, then straight across. So it's kind of like looking at a triangle drawn in the crease. They also teach in Finland that by staying a step or two deeper than usual, you can cut off angles and arrive at a point of destination sooner than if you were higher up in the crease and challenging like most normal goalies. So I would say since it's only a 10-minute video, it's hard for me to take much of what I see and extend it beyond that video. He could have just had one of those games where he's tense or doesn't challenge as much as usual, or is exerting more energy than usual, etc, etc. But I agree with you - if he can push out even half the length of a skate blade, he's going to be THAT much bigger, that much more effective. If you watched the Flyers / Habs game 1, you heard them talking about Leighton working with Jeff Reese and how Reese has him playing deeper in the crease because he's a bigger body and he wants to be in position for cross-crease plays and one-timers. This is more what I am seeing with Rynnas because it's the way they teach goalies in Finland ... at least traditionally ... every coaching style is a little different of course. Good comment!! - Justin Goldman Tue, 18 May 2010 09:14:37 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/justin-goldman/2805-scouting-jussi-rynnas#comment-6091 I'm a marlie season seat holder, so I'm likely gonna see alotta Rynnas... I'm likeing what I seen on the foot work.. relitively effortless, altho as you say a bit "happy". The right knee is interesting, its always active and leading, because of this it opens up the blocker, and I see going post to post (left to right) he's gonna have problems with mid level shots, but the blocker doesnt look like a problem so that may be his way of getting away with it. Crossing to the left is deadly cause of that strong and quick right knee... You mention longer stick... I believe that may be why he's hunched... Wide stance opens opens the five hole, but he seems to kill that with low blocker and stick coverage (Niemi... and dare I say Irbe-like)... Also he has good Pad levelness and kick out reaction demonstrated a few times... too often you see goalies with bad kick outs and inverted knees.... One Major flaw I'm seeing is, he seems scared to be at the top of the crease... he gets close to that red line and he peels back... His size is an asset and he has good coverage, but if he can get out at the top of the blue paint even 1/2 a blade, he'll be even more imposing and the hunch wont matter... His leg quickness is that than he can still cover the extra couple feet out there, and I believe that may be his biggest adjustment... You mention hes a good challengers side to side with his trapper blocker, but if he can challenge sightlines, he becomes alot more effective. Very nice peice Justin! I had to read it twice to make sure I sucked up every you said and I loved the noticeing of the elbows, I had to go back and watch that as I was mezmorized by the knee & foot work. - Jason Banks Mon, 17 May 2010 17:07:06 +0100