flip12

Shrinkflation.

Seeing that makes my brain hurt. I would absolutely hate that.

What area is this? I’m not a Bauer elbows guy so I can’t picture what’s folding in.

I sense a slant here 😛 But seriously, the price is right even if you're only after a standard curve, especially living in Europe. I'm very happy with a 425g stick. If it's durable, that's plenty light. What really has me tempted isn't going away from P28 to one of his two dozen P28 variants (though I'd prefer that curve or S. Niedermayer's softened version of it on an E4 blade shape, but I'm not about to spring for a custom mold), it's that I can get a whole bunch of shaft options that aren't available off the shelf for less than what it costs for a second tier stick at an LHS in Denmark. Shaft shape, finish, texture, and flex might actually be more important to me than curve. If the balance is right, the curve pretty much falls in line for me.

Looks like a P46. What about the blade face?

But both HZRDUS and Catalyst are the same last, so the same fit, from what I’ve come across: two widths instead of three different last volumes for each size. Beyond that they point to their custom offerings.

How do you know True is reacting to CCM and Bauer and not just following their own path? What fit options does True have? "There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a niche company/brand/product. In some cases allows you to better focus on your costumers wants rather than doing things that appeal to the masses." The only difference I see in your comparison is the niche market is smaller, so that's the market base sustaining the c/b/p, whereas the non-niche c/b/p has the masses as their market base--both are doing the same thing, just at a different scale.

Let’s look at some data. They’re trending up. Bauer and CCM are doing a lot to try and recover any ground gained by True with each release. To me that says a lot about niche status as well. Do the big players take notice of what you’re doing and make adjustments? Then you’re not niche. I would argue.

True's not a niche skate anymore. And they have significant momentum.

Well, Dave Cruikshank says D’cosi should be ready for release next year, so there looks to be some more direct competition with True on the hazy horizon. There are others here more familiar with all the latest boots, but my impression is True is cut lower so they encourage wrapping the upper cuff close to provide the stability other brands achieve by making the boots taller. But when the boots are taller the degree to which they would impinge on ankle ROM goes up too, so they pad like mad around the malleoli (protruding parts of the ankle) and then thin out, carving out a funnel of space for ankle ROM to compensate. Older boots used to crease/collapse so as to overcome the funnel, but the current demand from many players is this strange combo of committing to the wrap but not really. I think the next five to ten years could change all of that, to a greater degree than even 703, Vapor 8, one90, or SVH boots did at points over the last 30 years.

Looks like CCM P19: P92 with the curve and loft toned down a bit.

That's an interesting idea. Forgot about those. I'd still be interested in what these weightier plugs from Bauer and potentially other stick manufacturers are like, just for comprehensiveness.

On another note, is it possible to find the extension plugs with foam filling? Adding 50g of mass at the end of my HyperLite makes it play much better for me. I did it with a wood plug that worked out perfectly, but it’s opened up my curiosity about what’s out there. Edit: I have a retail 4” Vapor end plug that with a void all the way through. It weighs 22g.

If I remember it, Holmes says it was his custom pattern with Sher-Wood; Sakic says his was a weekend where they flew the big name players in and had them make their own patterns for fun, and he made that one. I could see Sakic thinking he made something they used, when in reality it came from somewhere else. Holmes would have that insider angle but looking at the legal situation surrounding his transition over to Warrior, it might be worth seasoning his statements with an appropriate amount of skepticism.

Good listen. Interesting Holmes takes credit for creating the Sakic pattern. Sakic says he made it.

More emphasis on the “weight” than the “fly” in Mission’s Drive Shaft holder. Bauer already plundered the Flyweight look with the Vapor 1X.

P28's a lie 5.5 just like the E6 it evolved from. The shaved toe makes it easier to lose pucks there.

If you go to https://grafhockey.com/downloads and click on Graf Hockey Workbook 2020/21, page 4 has a teaser on custom orders. (Google Translate converted the German...) Don't know if that's still current or a forgotten link or what, considering the date on the catalog.

Not quite. Scott Bjugstad took credit for making it. It’s basically a P92 curve with a touch of toe curve. The face is PM9 with a shaved mid-toe rocker. It’s a nice curve. I just wish its toe pocket were bigger than its heel pocket. It shoots out so much already on its heel curve that it can get in the way.

I would love a PM9 blade face with Barkov's curve. I'm tempted by the Barkov. It might be close enough to perfect for me.

How does the facing allow more forward flex and wrap?

I wonder if the flatter frontal region above the forehead has a significant impact on the score. There’s often a raised ridge there. It would be interesting to alter that on a few helmets and keep their internal padding the same and see if their Hockey STAR score goes up.

How would that work from a legal perspective?

Signaling / because they can.