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Is there a difference in fit between the CCM Super Tacks AS1 line of this year and the Ultra Tacks line of last year?

Has anyone been using the EK15 gloves? I know they are a tapered fit but I wonder how close they are to the Bauer Vapor. Picked up a T120 recently and am very impressed, would love to do a review on it. Might pick up a EK15, if they go down in price in the near future.

Edmonton needs a big body defensively responsible C that can still put up 40-50 points which Stall can and bring some leadership and experience, and Skinner is a better pure goal scorer than Eberle at present. And, cap hits are identical for each pair. Throw in a second round pick to Edmonton and I think it addresses a part of their need. Perron is a second line winger at best, where Staal is far more versatile and fills a bigger hole. Next would be a D or two. Hall-RNH-Skinner Pouliot-Stall-Purcell Wouldn't look bad for a top-6. edit- I didn't know about Staal's injury status until this evening. That changes it a bit.

Perron for a first line C is unimaginable. He would have to go with some picks or prospects. Eberle and Perron in a package would get an interesting return- Jordan Staal and Jeff Skinner? Ha. Would be fun to see, however unlikely.

I have no idea what the cut is for importing the equipment. None of us do. Agreed, the 405 isn't at a price point that is all that interesting right now, but it's only just opened. The gloves are at a decent price point with high-end gloves going for upwards of 200$ now, so 60$ and 85$ are reasonable to get people trying some. I don't know anything about the financials of Alpha Sportswear, maybe it has to do with a larger decline in hockey in urban areas relative to smaller areas or maybe they didn't tap into the online market well enough. Maybe the Vancouver hockey market is soft right now and they relied too heavily on a single market or product. It's possible people are going online and getting cheap bulk jerseys for most leagues, or like our team did, put the time in and got really well-done high-end ones from guys like Junkyard Athletics who really put the time in to make something exceptional. 20$ for shipping is excellent. Both of those stores require spending a certain amount before getting free shipping, which is great if you live in BC, but the majority of the population lives far east of there and many smaller northern and Maritime communities spend a great deal in shipping. So, most will have to spend 150$+, or 200$+ for QC in the case of the The Hockey Store. Not to mention the speed of shipping in this country when you get it free, especially going the distances we have with our population.

Disagree, Hockey has been declining in the market share that Tron isn't trying to hit- youth and junior programs. I'd imagine their target market is 25-55 year old recreational players, who are more price sensitive and less brand loyal. That market hasn't been declining at the same rate. And isn't really going anywhere soon. Canadians have a higher resistance to online shopping because of shipping costs. If their shipping prices are reasonable, there's no reason that Canadians would balk at shopping online- they're already doing it in every other market. And 20$ flat fee is pretty darn cheap for anywhere in the country. Outside of major centres, the only barrier to shopping online has been enormous relative shipping costs. Canadians spend more time online and are more wired up than our southern counterparts. Shopping online is trending up in every market, it's not an 'if' it will work as a mode of shopping. With that aggressive shipping cost structure, I bet they are looking for a less urban market, as people in larger centres have a plethora of shops at all price points. Pricing- I don't know if the cost of a wooden stick is necessarily the best criteria on which to criticize their business plan. That's like saying, Toyota won't succeed because their used 99' Corollas are a little expensive. Probably not where they are going to make their biggest profit and not their primary focus. I bet they'll stay afloat on jerseys and socks sales alone, at least initially. There's definitely a niche for products like these, especially as they expand their catalogue. There are still lots of towns in this country that don't have a LHS and many who aren't modsquad types willing to drive an hour or two to get the exact product they've scouted and reviewed online. But, they're wired up and with flat shipping costs might just bite on a pair of gloves or new pants, etc. Will they be Bauer in a 5-years, no way.

What is the Trouba blade pattern in the T120 most similar to in Bauer/CCM/Easton?

In your opinion, what specifically signals that they won't be certified as they look from the site?

I noticed Ladd, Byfyglien, Scheifele, and Wheeler on them in Winnipeg but I think that's the usual contingent out there.

Any new NHL players skating in VH skates? It looked as though Rene Bourque was wearing them against Washington tonight.

Wow, how often are you playing?

They have it on the hockeymonkey site as well.

Has anyone done the VH skates with the E-Pro holder or the new Speed Blade 4.0? Pics?

Can't say that it's a huge technological leap from the 18K. Seems like the identical skate except with a new paint job (more stylish in my opinion). The new holders' benefit is marginal. I doubt the blade difference will be noticeable at your level as I doubt you're sharpening them more than a couple times a month at most. It isn't a huge chunk of cash, but you aren't getting a tone in my opinion for that money.

How are the Mako gloves selling? I can't get past the look of them. I'm sure they are great gloves but man that finger flame thing they have going is awful.