Tuesday's news: Studying Shea Weber's super slapper

by Dirk Hoag on Nov 16, 2010 11:10 AM EST in Nashville Predators News

He has broken the bones of teammates and foes alike, rent Olympic nets asunder, and piled up goals at a prodigious rate over the last few years. Shea Weber's mighty slapshot is approaching legendary status, and this morning, a Belmont professor provides some insight as to just what makes it so special.

While you're reading this morning's notes, listen in to this interview that Willy Daunic conducted with Preds goaltending coach Mitch Korn, as he prepared to head to Milwaukee and work with the prospects:

Mitch Korn on 1045 The Zone 20101115

Then follow after the jump for all the scoop that's fit to... um...

Get started on your holiday shopping at the OtF Store! All prices now include free shipping...

Nashville Predators News

Shea Weber and the science of slap - National Post
Inside the mechanics of Shea's awesome shot (hat tip to )

What The Puck: Mo Money Monday: Week 2
Rachel chips in to our Movember fund, giving $10 for our group leader Paul Nicholson. So what's it going to take to get you to cough up a few bucks, Dear Reader?

Preds On The Glass: Predators in Toronto, POTG Radio Podcast, and Tuesday Tidbits
Buddy's looking forward to what the Preds can bring with a relatively healthy lineup, at last.

Video: Watch Craig Smith abuse a goal cage, cost his NCAA Badgers - Puck Daddy
One of the dumber things I've ever seen on a hockey rink, courtesy of Nashville's 4th-round 2009 draft pick.

Coming Down the Pipe!: Team World 2010 - WHL
This includes a nice update on Taylor Aronson, who was drafted by the Preds (3rd round) earlier this year.

Several Predators heading home to play a road game - Nashville Predators Examiner
For many of the Preds, a trip to Toronto means having to buy a lot of tickets for friends and family.

O'Brien adds to offense Predators get from their defensemen | Nashville City Paper
A profile of Shane O'Brien, sniper.

We're hot ... but I'm injured - Predators Insider
Blake Geoffrion is going a little stir crazy while recovering from an upper body injury.

Blackhawks hate playing us - Predators Insider
In his latest entry, Colin Wilson talks about how some friends of his on the Blackhawks feel about playing the Preds.

Nashville Predators' Pekka Rinne angles for better shot-blocking - The Tennessean
Pekka needs to shut down the softies, and he knows it.

Celebrate the night before Thanksgiving by seeing the Preds take on the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, November 25. Take advantage of the OtF discount to save money on Nashville Predators tickets for this, or any other home game.

Around the NHL

NHL's Campbell under fire for emails sent to Walkom - TSN
When NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly says, "Any suggestion that Colin Campbell performs his job with any less than 100% integrity at all times and in every decision he makes is way off base and just factually wrong." does anyone outside of the NHL offices really believe it?

Campbell emails puts objectivity into question - Elliotte Friedman
Elliotte takes a temperate view of the Colin Campbell affair, and after following up with NHL contacts, finds unwavering support for him.

Colin Campbell E-mail Leaks After Rangers-Penguins Game - Blueshirt Banter
You can get used to seeing plenty of these posts in the future...

Garth Snow on replacing fired Scott Gordon with Capuano: 'Jack knows our players' - Lighthouse Hockey
Do you feel bad for Scott Gordon getting fired for coaching a lousy, injury-riddled team to 10 straight losses, or glad that he's now free of the cesspool on Long Island?

Central Division Shakedown - Predlines
Amanda takes her weekly swing around the division.

Six suggestions for VERSUS' new 'NHL Overtime' hockey show - Puck Daddy
Greg breaks down the debut of your new nightly hockey fix.

Down Goes Brown: So You've Made the NHL: Do's and Don'ts for New Call Ups
Helpful advice for recent call-ups like Nazem Kadri and Keith Aulie, such as "Do: Look forward to the fun and excitement of visiting various exciting cities around the continent. Do not: Look too disappointed when you find out your first game is in Edmonton instead."

The League of Extraordinary Statisticians: The Inaugural - Behind The Net
Asking a few hockey wonks which single NHL rule they'd change if they could.

Playing Without Markov Sadly Becoming a Norm | All Habs
Ahead of the Predators' visit to Montreal on Thursday, the Habs have lost their premier defenseman for a long time.

Santorelli hot; Repik may be on the way; Garrison ready to return – Sun-Sentinel
I don't know if I'd call 6 points in 15 games "hot", but Mike Santorelli appears to have found an NHL home in Florida.

To keep up with all of our coverage of the Nashville Predators, you can follow us on Twitter (@Forechecker, @predatweeter, @SLakePreds & @AdsRoundtable) and if you have any questions, feel free to email me at the.forechecker@gmail.com.

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Comments

SOB

While he may not be a sniper, SOB probably needs the practice if he wants to contribute to this team – he has 10 career NHL goals with 4 teams – funny to think that 20% of those goals are with the Pred’s in 15 games – I think this is just an example that Nashville has a whole team contributes mentality – not to mention he had more ice time due to Suter being injured. I’m just glad he’s willing to step up, contribute, and not slack off.

by XVIII on Nov 16, 2010 11:39 AM EST reply actions

Kind of funny that he is tied with Weber in goals at 2.

by stodg on Nov 16, 2010 1:41 PM EST up reply actions

Not that great

I think that Weber’s shot is more famous in the way of fear of being hit, rather than it going in the net. The percentage of his shots that even end up in the 4 × 6 area (not in the net) is something like 4 pct. I have watched Shea for awhile and his slapper really is grossly inaccurate but REALLY fast.

by PensFanInNas on Nov 16, 2010 2:05 PM EST reply actions

His career shooting percentage is actually above 7%, which for a defenseman and someone who has taken almost 900 shots already in his career is not bad at all.

Mike Green, for example, has only a 9.5%, while Patric Hornqvist’s is 9.8%. The simple fact is the more you shoot, the less often the puck is likely to go in. Sergei Kostitsyn has a high shooting %, but he’s only taken 188 shots.

by Chris Burton on Nov 16, 2010 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

What it was I was referring to is a vast majority of his shots aren’t even shots on goal

by PensFanInNas on Nov 16, 2010 2:21 PM EST up reply actions

You're right

Shea Weber & Dion Phaneuf both have big shots that miss a lot. That’s the part of Cody Franson’s game that I love – he seems to be more willing to unleash a quick wrister that gets through, rather than always wind up for the home run blast.

On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators. Catch me on Twitter at @Forechecker, or join our legions on Facebook at Facebook.com/OnTheForecheck.

by Dirk Hoag on Nov 16, 2010 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

In fact, Shea led all defensemen in 5-on-5 missed shots last season.

On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators. Catch me on Twitter at @Forechecker, or join our legions on Facebook at Facebook.com/OnTheForecheck.

by Dirk Hoag on Nov 16, 2010 2:31 PM EST up reply actions

Wow, I didn’t even know they kept those stats.

by Chris Burton on Nov 16, 2010 2:50 PM EST up reply actions

I also think the “pass it to Shea and get out of the way” mentality contributes to the aura. But nonetheless, you gotta admit the man has a great slapshot – I mean, they all can’t go in, can they?? Pretty interesting article on the mechanics of it, as well as giving the younger players some good advice, that you have to have a strong core if you want to have a good slapshot.

by XVIII on Nov 16, 2010 2:50 PM EST up reply actions