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it wasn't intended for anyone specifically, but the waters do and can get muddy. Everyone has brand preferences or a strong brand following or loyalties. But for some to say some eqm's won't care or players don't know is absurd. I agree with protecting intellectual property. I can only assume there will be some blow back from eqm's to bauer. Bauer and Step's steel quality isn't the same, maybe time will tell if it changes. Surprised licensing agreement wasn't attainable

Ya. you made so much and got soooooooo much free stuff. Hows that new Maclaren. ik on my 3rd now that I have my 7000 sqft mansion. it's a pro shop and skate sharpening. Nobody is getting rich here but Bauer. 🙄

I'm just going to go ahead and assume that this is a shot at me, because I'm the only person who has posted in this thread that everyone knows what I've done and where I've been, because I've been transparent since 2004. I have absolutely nothing to "gain or perks to be had." I'm merely stating the facts that are out there. To recap - Bauer had a patent. They felt a brand, STEP, was in violation of said patent. They decided to bring a lawsuit forward, and they reached a settlement. And I know it sucks for STEP, and I know it sucks for Canadian dealers, even the ones who sold across the border. But that's how it goes.

You haven't been in an NHL dressing room before have you? I was in Toronto's yesterday and both the Bauer and CCM guy were there. He is not happy about it at all. Another guy in a Canadian city is livid. He has 4 guys that came to him already and told him to buy every pair available. They don't want Bauer steel as it is. If you think NHL players dont think about edge retention your crazy.

It maybe but there is something not the same as the Step. It maybe the same base but isnt the same quality. And I spoke to 2 eqm managers that are debating switching to CCM holders. I know many more are not happy. This maybe a different case then last time

Montreal Canadiens team equipment sale. 9 to 3 PM at the Bell Centre.

+1 on this. My step brother is part of the Kings organisation and the same thing is happening there. If it's happening at 2 organisations then you can bet your house on it happening all over the league.

If you experiment with 2 pair of skates that aren’t quite right, you’re almost at the cost of customs anyway. Do it once, do it right, spend the money wisely.

Bauer has had steel stock issues for years. That would bother me the most about this. They’d better be prepared to have ample supply for the foreseeable future if this is how they’re going about things. min my experience, I’d say pro guys are pretty in tune with their edges. But about 5% can tell you what they like and what they want. The rest will just tell you what they don’t like, or that something is off.

True skates feel exceptionally stiff in your hand, but flex just right when actually skating.

The first two sentences make me inclined to feel that your skates might not be the correct size. If you are struggling to keep your skates tight, they are most likely too big. That would be the first issue I would look at before being concerned about what name is on my feet.

Yes, but it's in reverse to the player lines. Supreme goalie skates fit like Vapor player skates - less volume, less foot wrap, less width, tapered boot. Vapor goalie skates (because they're built off the Reactor line, not the Vapor player line) fit like Supreme player skates - wider, more volume, more foot wrap, more room in the ankle, more anatomical boot. The stiffness of the boot is a product of the quarter package composition, both lines will have the same stiffness when using the same quarter material. Unlike player skates, the pitch is the same on both models. One key difference is that the Supreme goalie skate has an asymmetrical ankle, where the outside of the ankle is lower than the inside. Vapor goalie skates have a symmetrical ankle, both sides are the same height. Other than that, the features are the same across the product levels.

FWIW I’m hoping that True/ VH launches a retail non- custom for affordable prices (think Easton Mako M7/ M8 quality - $399.99 or so). When I compare the quarter package of traditional skates to Mako/VH I feel like I’m comparing a ski boot body boot to a tennis shoe. I was in Bauer Supreme before my Makos and it was nothing but problems. Ever since I got into Mako it’s been all good. Only issue has been dialing in size. I’m an 11.5/ 12 in Nike basketball and a 9.5 in Mako, but that’s just a size thing and not a design flaw. Don’t mean to detail the thread, just saying you might be looking in the wrong place or comfort.

It isn’t. If the interface that locks the blade in is patented, Bauer has the right to control that. If a car part attaches via a standard interface, it is not controlled by the OEM. A business can use its IP however it wants, that’s the point. It can keep it for itself, license it, sell it, etc. Without IP you lessen the incentive for innovation in many cases.

I find it interesting that Razor puts the steel on the wrong side holder to hide the fact that two Bauer endorsees are using Step.

I don't care how tall they are. How do they tie their skates???

I find it interesting that CCM's community question site had a questionnaire the day this happened asking whether or not they would switch skates if they couldn't use a steel they preferred.