{"id":383841,"date":"2025-11-16T21:54:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-16T21:54:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/383841\/"},"modified":"2025-11-16T21:54:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-16T21:54:12","slug":"blackhawks-rookie-oliver-moore-learning-he-really-is-fast-enough-to-blow-past-nhl-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/383841\/","title":{"rendered":"Blackhawks rookie Oliver Moore learning he really is fast enough to blow past NHL competition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Blackhawks<\/a> rookie forward Oliver Moore\u2019s speed turned an otherwise nondescript puck flip out of the defensive zone by Frank Nazar on Saturday into a semi-breakaway.<\/p>\n

Moore blew past Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe down the left wing, reaching a top speed of 21.62 mph \u2014 his fastest recorded speed in his first six NHL games of the season \u2014 to get to the puck first and generate a quality chance in alone on Leafs goalie Joseph Woll.<\/p>\n

That exemplified the potentially game-changing aspect of Moore\u2019s skating, which has immediately made him an asset to the Hawks since his call-up<\/a> at the beginning of the month.<\/p>\n

The 20-year-old forward projects to be \u2014 and has already been used by coach Jeff Blashill as \u2014 a Swiss Army knife who can fill any role in the top six or bottom six. <\/p>\n

As a result, his niche will probably always be based more on his skills than his role, since the latter will likely change frequently. He\u2019s still learning how to best use his skills \u2014 particularly his one elite skill \u2014 at the NHL level, though.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery game is an opportunity for me to show what I can do, and also get better and improve,\u201d Moore said Friday.<\/p>\n

During the second period Wednesday against the Devils, for example, Moore created another possible breakaway out of nowhere by building up speed on a breakout from the defensive zone, evading one Devil in the neutral zone and then catching a couple others flat-footed as he raced across the offensive blue line.<\/p>\n

But instead of trying to beat Ondrej Palat and Stefan Noesen to the net \u2014 which it looked like he probably could do \u2014 Moore instead tried to force an improbable pass over to Connor Bedard trailing the play. The pass hit a skate and went awry.<\/p>\n

That opportunity was wasted, but it added another data point to Moore\u2019s mental calculation that he really is faster than most NHL competition. When he\u2019s moving, he can beat almost anyone.<\/p>\n

The more confident he becomes in that, the more plays he\u2019ll make like the one Saturday.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a learning curve,\u201d Moore said. \u201cI think Connor would\u2019ve been wide-open, and with his shot, you want to take that in those areas all day long. [You need to] know who you\u2019re out there with. But [when you] beat those first couple guys and you have a lane, you might have more time and space than you think.<\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely, on the bench, had a little feeling that I could\u2019ve had a breakaway there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moore earned a secondary assist on Teuvo Teravainen\u2019s game-tying goal Saturday<\/a> and now has three points in six games, during which he has also recorded 20 speed bursts faster than 20 mph. It seems increasingly likely he won\u2019t return to the AHL anytime soon.<\/p>\n

Analytics models continue to disparagingly evaluate the Hawks\u2019 team play, but Moore has been one exception. They\u2019ve credited the team with a 36-34 advantage in scoring chances during his five-on-five ice time, making him the only Hawks forward above 50% during this span.<\/p>\n

Another area in which Moore has been surprisingly effective: battles below the goal line in the offensive zone. That isn\u2019t exactly what one would expect from a speedy, undersized guy, but he has nonetheless set up a handful of chances for teammates by winning battles down low.<\/p>\n

Before practice Friday, Moore talked to Hawks skills coach Brian Keane about that very subject. He believes it has always been a strength of his, dating back to childhood after he watched YouTube videos of Sidney Crosby protecting the puck. <\/p>\n

His quickness, footwork and scrappiness make it difficult for bigger defensemen to pin him against the boards.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny time you can draw a couple guys in, the slot is open down there a lot,\u201d Moore said. \u201cIt\u2019s definitely something I take pride in.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Maple<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

The Hawks gave a packed house at the United Center another win to cheer about as their surprise start rolls on. They have 30 third-period goals on the season.<\/p>\n

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read<\/p>\n

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\"Maple<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Off to a surprisingly successful start, the Blackhawks are commanding attention again, trying to transform into a winner and giving fans a reason to go mad on Madison.<\/p>\n

[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]
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read<\/p>\n

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\"New<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

The Hawks haven\u2019t played well in the middle period. Are they getting too comfortable after solid starts or are they being disproportionately affected by the long change?<\/p>\n

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