What is the story about?
What's Happening?
The 2025-26 NHL season has commenced, and Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers has set a new record for skating speed in the NHL EDGE tracking era, reaching 24.61 miles per hour during the season opener against the Calgary Flames. This surpasses his previous high of 24.19 mph from the 2023-24 season. McDavid also leads the league in 22-plus mph speed bursts, contributing two assists in the opener. Other notable performances include Joel Edmundson of the Los Angeles Kings, who achieved a shot speed of 99.09 mph, and Justin Brazeau of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who leads in high-danger goals with three.
Why It's Important?
These advanced metrics highlight the evolving nature of player performance analysis in the NHL, offering teams and fans deeper insights into player capabilities. McDavid's record speed underscores his status as a top performer, potentially influencing team strategies and fan engagement. Edmundson's shot speed and Brazeau's high-danger goals demonstrate the diverse skills contributing to team successes. These metrics can impact player valuations, contract negotiations, and team compositions, as franchises seek to optimize their rosters based on such data.
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