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Going from my Nexus 5000s (with Pro Sublimated TPR) to my Nexus 7000s (with full composite outsole) I found the difference in stability and comfort quite noticeable. It's even more noticeable the rare times I have to break out the 5000s for a game or two when my 7000s were getting some repair done. I don't know how TPR compares to TPU but any future Bauer skates purchases the composite outsole is a must. I wouldn't go back to a plastic outsole.

High end boots had TPU outsoles until Bauer started reinforcing theirs with composite inlays and then full composite outsoles in the mid-90's. If you look carefully, pros still used skate TPU outsoles instead of composite, like Bure did on his first Vapor 8s. I think I even spotted a pair of TPU one90s but I can't remember who had them. Marleau skated on TPU until he ran out of his downspec'd 9Ks.

I never got to skate in them, just tried them on at the local hockey shop. To give this context I'm a Nexus fit guy. When I bought my skates back in late 2014, I tried on Vapor, Supreme and Nexus (all in D width) in that order. The Vapor and Supreme didn't fit well and when I put on the Nexus I knew immediately that those were for me. Like it wasn't even close. The three nuances that struck me this time around from a fit perspective was: 1) They say "Fit 3" is like a Nexus fit but it's much more an "EE" fit than it is a Nexus fit. If I'm a Nexus user looking at new skates I wouldn't automatically assume that because you fit a Nexus that Fit 3 is the right fit for you. 2) I didn't find a huge amount of difference when trying Fit 1 vs. Fit 2 in a particular model of skate. Just a bit more volume in Fit 2. 3) The strange one for me was I automatically assumed coming from Nexus that Supreme would be the correct line for me, just a matter of finding the right size and fit/width. But it was the opposite. I found the Vapors fit me better than the Supremes did, especially in the heel pocket and the ankle wrap.

I'm a Bauer skate guy and I've recently went skate shopping for a new pair. Bit of background when I got back into playing recreational hockey in 2015 my first skates were the Bauer Nexus 5000s (2014-15) which I used for three seasons than upgraded to the Bauer 7000s (2014-15) while on clearance. Going to the 7000s with the tech-mesh boot and full composite outsole the upgrade was very noticeable. I had an injury (broken heel and high ankle sprain) back in late May and when I started playing again this fall I wanted to explore new skates as my 7000s now have four seasons on them. Looking for a bit more stability. Focusing on Bauer I tried on the Mach, the M5 Pro and the M4. Also tried on the Hyperlite, 3X pro and 3X. And my first impression of all of these skates.........they feel cheap. They felt more "disposable" and flimsy in that they were built for performance but not for long-lasting comfort and durability. Particularly the M5 Pros when compared to my old Nexus 7000s as they were both from the "2nd price point". I didn't see or feel the quality there when compared to skates from the same price point basically as 2-3 generations of skates ago. Granted one skate is tech-mesh and one is Curv Composite. So I ended up finding a new pair of Nexus 2Ns (2018-19) online and on clearance. While I haven't had a chance to try them yet (in the process of swapping out the tongues) my first reaction is they are a better quality skate than the current M5 Pro judging by the materials and finish. But yet not quite as durable or of the quality of my older Nexus 7000s. All really from the same price point (2nd from the top) just different years (2014 vs. 2018 vs. 2022). My impression of Bauer skates is while prices keep creeping higher every year, the quality of materials used in the skates construction is decreasing with each passing generation. Sure each passing generation will likely get lighter and stiffer, but will you get the comfort and usage/durability out of skates that customers have become accustomed to? I'm not so sure.

In the words of Fiona Apple, "so's everything." Kidding aside, looking at his performance over the years, I wouldn't rock that boat either. If his mental picture of what he's in is that solid that even a reskinned skate occupies even an iota of awareness, I'd say ditch it. His team needs all he can give and more. I don't doubt he could fly in any skate. Prior to his NHL days he successfully rocked RibCors, RBZs, and Tacks. For whatever reason, JetSpeed is where he sticks. Maybe it was the Goldilocks combination for him, and fussing with it just compromises his flow. Best performance flow in the world? Let it be. It looks like he tried one-piece ASiVs in preseason practices, but once the regular season rolled around, it looks like he was in his old JetSpeeds dressed as ASiVs. If you look back at the pictures you can see the same boot pattern as he usually wears--that short, almost LEGOish blocky look of JetSpeed boots--as well as a visible separate outsole, foxing, and distinct JetSpeed toe cap. He's tried original JetSpeeds skinned to appear current in previous generations, but he's never stuck with anything else for more than a few weeks. Around All-Star Weekend last year he did wear a one-piece ASiVish pair, but he switched back shortly after the All-Star Game. Back to your original question, I haven't followed the particulars of Bauer and CCM skate evolution over the last ten years so closely, but both brands have tended back towards less stiff, especially in the facing, as they seemed to conclude they went too far with stiffness (maybe the boots were simply lasting too long?) My thought was maybe it was in attempt to head off Scott Van Horne boots. Each time Bauer and CCM softened up a bit to provide more forward flex, they stole back some players who had gone over to SVH/True boots. Hyperlites (very Makoish) have gotten a lot of former Bauer wearers back, including Berniers, Wright, and Bedard.