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I picked up a CCM mask on a whim. Looks like they are out of stock online in a few places, but Pure Hockey near me had a whole bunch. It took a little bit of playing with it on the couch while watching tv to figure out where to put the various straps. I have a Bauer Profile III cage. The mask has a moldable nose piece that I had to push into a “peak” so it wouldn’t press on my nose. ive only worn it once, in an admittedly slower skate, but I liked it. No vision problems at all. I honestly didn’t notice it at all while playing. Breathing was fine, but this wasn’t a game where I’m pushing myself hard most shifts. One thing I liked way better than a gaiter that I didn’t consider was not having something on the back of my neck. It felt much cooler to have my neck exposed and not covered. I have to undo cage to drink water, but thinking about it, that is probably better than pulling the mask up and down and putting my hands around my face. For fogging concerns, it might help limit that because this mask is more open by your mouth/cheeks, so air is going out there, which might keep breath away from the visor.

UPDATE: Played last night using the CCM and was very pleasantly surprised. I was able to breathe easily and my vision was not impaired. As far as I am concerned it is clearly more effective and my concerns proved not to be an issue. Regarding effectiveness, with all due respect to my friend @IPv6Freely, we should most definetley be talaking about effectiveness. That's the whole point of the product! Now there is no way this is gonna be tested by the CDC or FDA but I do think we can apply some common sense. Neither is an N95. We get that. Neither hermetically seals your face in! But the CCM is surely going to stop more than the Bauer. Frankly, if all players in leagues would wear the CCM mask or other mask then we'd be able to play fairly safely. But... if everyone was just wearing the Bauer we wouldn't be any safer. And that's pretty damming Is the Bauer a cash grab? I don't know.... I don't quite care either. I'm just looking to lower my risk.

Brendan Gallagher re-ups in MTL:

No there not gimmicky. But there isn't the independent data to prove that they work better than what is out there.

Skates are one thing where if it don't break why fix it. Skates are the biggest pita to break in even with customs. Now try introducing a completely diff boot construction to nhl players who notice the smallest things in terms of difference. Even pro gloves are no where near retail ones and are very very basic in terms of materials and design.

They do sell a version for players who wear half-visors if you can find it in stock.

Looking on the Bauer website today and came across a new release: https://www.bauer.com/en-CA/cooper-gear/cooper-4500-helmet-senior-619898.html#q=4500&sz=60&start=1 Trying to cash in on nostalgia?

I just switched from Bauer Supremes to True Customs and couldn’t tell you the difference regarding the soles. My Bauers were stiff and so are the Trues. That being said the Trues are very stiff all around and feel great! Because the bottom is also molded to my foot the fit is awesome.

I played twice with the Bauer splash guard while I was waiting for my CCM Game On mask to arrive. I had minor fogging and condensation issues both games. between the first and second game I added some dish soap to both the shield and the splash guard. it took care of 98% of the shield fogging and maybe 70% of the condensation on the splash guard. not perfect but better than taking a risk that I'm not comfortable with. I'll be using the CCM mask from here on out. it's just a better system, imo.

That was exactly my experience!

Not sure if you read the previous posts. I was the one that came up with the numbers for 0.5. I know it works. BUT... I dont believe the others work as that one does.

You know your stuff and I'm not a pro, not even close. All I can say is that switching to the QUAD 0.5 makes playing hockey easier for me and therefore I'm having more fun. I can stay on the ice longer as I don't have to do much to maintain speed. My crossovers are solid and more powerful. I feel solid on my feet. It feels way more natural then balancing on the single profile I had before(11'). I'm just excited about this profile. I don't remember feeling this way switch from a 13' to a 11' to a 9' etc. The first time I skated on the QUAD 0.5 I liked it so much that I was literally mad that I wasted my time skating on a single profile for so long. So maybe it is best not to listen to me cause I'm a total fan boy at this point.

Fit is realtive to how his bio mechanics are. If he aligns naturally over the skate blade he can basically get away with skating in anything, but with performance degradation as the fit gets worse. However if he does not align naturally over the skate blade, eg pronation or supination and or other issue/s, then even the best fitting boot only hides the problem. Every Haglunds I've seen in skating comes with associated foot rotation in the skate because of bio mechanical issues. A good fitting boot will help but I'd also be looking at his overall bio mechanics: gait. posture, balance, leg alignment etc and then getting the skate adjusted to suit eg shimming, holder alignement, foot support. A good fitter, typically from the figure skating side, should be able to help here or at least guide you to someone who can help. For his long term skating health you want to be trying to address the cause. And since he has a haglunds bump, whatever skates he gets you want to make sure you get the boot punched to accomodate it. I wish you the best finding someone who can help, unfortunately I can't provide any names but if you want him to see someone outside of skating who has experience with foot issues / skating then have a read of this: https://www.aapsm.org/pdf/humble-skatinga.pdf and maybe find someone near your location from here: http://www.aapsm.org/members-south.html Or he can correct any bio mechanical issues himself if he has the opportunity to put the time into training AND has the dedication to do so. pm me if you want more info.

The VGK domino effect: Nate Schimdt traded to VAN -

This was rumored the most over the weekend so no surprise here - Alex Pietrangelo to VGK:

Hello! Taylor Hall to BUF! Eichel is sure to approve haha: I like the signing. It gives Hall a chance to prove himself again as one of the top forwards in the game while giving Eichel a chance to play with another (super)star.

A little late but the King heads down I-95 to sign with the Capitols:

Significant trade between Chicago and Colorado: