Success in the NHL is greatly defined by a player’s skating ability.



It’s a seemingly simple concept, right? This game is played on ice. Those who can’t skate are going to get left behind. Those who reach the NHL are among the upper tier of skaters on the planet.



But when trying to differentiate amongst the elite skaters, as we do in the NHL, getting the most out of your stride has become a differentiator that can turn a minor-leaguer into a full-time NHL player, an average NHL player into a good one, or a good player into a great one.



Connor McDavid would be great even with average speed. Combine his skating ability with his skill, and he’s the best player in the NHL. Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who is headed to this week’s All-Star Game as a rookie, is making an impact as a teenager largely because of how well he skates. That foundation has made him one of the Stars’ best players at 19 years...