shoot_the_goalie

Ahh...I always appreciate your voice of reason Stick9. CCM would not say 220 for 2 minutes if they didn't mean it. Heck, it probably can handle more than that, but they need to still be on the safe side, otherwise everyone baking their skates would wreck them. I have baked many a skate on my own (I use a convection oven and a temp gun to make sure the temp is accurate) and I've never pushed higher than 220 on temp (oven turned off before I put the skate in), but I have left the skates in for more than 2 mins on occasion (never longer than 4) and I've never had any problems to date. I make sure to pull laces straight out, not over-crank them, and make sure the skate wearer doesn't move for 20 mins. The OP pic looks like an over-bake and/or over tightening of laces. And yes, just cause it's a LHS, doesn't mean the employee does it right all the time. In fact, I have witnessed myself quite a few store employees (won't name the stores), that clearly pull up on the eyelets and/or tighten too hard, and I have also seen many kids of all different ages not stay still while the boot is still hot, literally flexing their ankles. (I guess some people can't help themselves) I also agree. Use the warranty and just exchange them and then be there for the baking process. As long as you're not a serial skate returner, you shouldn't have a problem with CCM customer service.

An add on here. I noticed that the AS-V (non-pro) has the traditional square shape vs the v-shape. Does the AS-V play more like the previous gens then?

IMHO, CCM is just putting out better sticks lately than Bauer in terms of both quality and durability.

Anybody know how much the new Tacks AS-V Pro stick compares to the previous gen sticks? Is the kick point and v-shaft significantly different?

I'm biased toward CCM cause the few times I've had interactions with their customer service, they have always been top notch and very helpful/accommodating. Everything I have is CCM, except True skates. However, when these Trues are up, I think I may go to CCM customs...though I've been very happy with my Trues.

Agreed. The filter can be reused. I usually just give it a good vacuum. I have replaced it once in the 4 years I've owned the machine when the filter just got way too dirty.

Some of the players on your old team won't care and some will...you can't control that. But no point to be disappointed playing, especially when you're paying to play. Just switch teams and don't bad mouth or denigrate the other team.

Imho, supertacks are closer to the nexus line…much more so in previous generations of both brands. As the supertacks has evolved the kick point seems to be moving from a true mid kick to more a higher but softer mid kick.

Those look legit.

Amazon has them: https://www.amazon.com/Adrenaline-Design-Powerfoot-Hockey-Performance/dp/B01E7VLMJK?th=1&psc=1

Technically you shouldn't need anything beside the stock footbeds because the skate arch should be custom to your foot arch. But then again, some people like to change their insoles too.

I usually wait minimum 24 hours. Sometimes 48. I know that's being conservative, but why chance it?

Everyone I know who uses the Hyperlite line, have many complaints about them. Just FYI.

Economies of scale

Oh, and did anybody say to buy an edge checker?