duncan keith linking his recent poor play to poor-quality skates

[lukejameslarson 5]

apparently unhappy with what he's been getting from bauer

[DarkStar50 680]

Whenever I suck, it's always my equipment. :lol:

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Well, let's think about it -

Is he wearing X:60? All of the pics I see him, he's wearing XXXXs. Could be that he doesn't like the X:60.

[furlanitalia 1]

You'd think with all the resources these players have they wouldn't have these problems. Seriously, how hard is it for them to get ice? Take a pair from each manufacturer out there (you know they have connections to get them) and try each one on until you find one that you like. Or, get in touch with your teams bauer rep to zone in on what the problem is. Personally I think it's a little unprofessional to put the blame on the company.

It also looks like he's been wearing X:60's all year. So I don't see how it could be that he doesn't like them now if he liked them then.

[DarkStar50 680]

Sometimes it is in the details. Martin St. Louis got his second pair of XXX and hated them. Until he noticed there was an extra eyelet and he was using it!

[VakarLajos 5]

he also added ""Everybody at a time or two there's always problems with your skates, or your sticks, helmet, gloves, whatever it be. Guys get bumps and bruises and guys play through injuries. There's no excuse or reason for anything. I need to be at my best and that's the bottom line. It's not because of skates or sticks or anything like that.""

[Balzinsker 0]

This reminds me of a thread a few years back where Jagr was unhappy with his sticks and we all trashed on him for it, saying no player should ever blame his gear. Then someone mentioned this:

[dsjunior1388 81]

Do I smell another MLX convert

It doesn't seem like he's calling bauer out or blaming the skates, it seems more like he's uncomfortable and trying to dial it in.

Side note: I haven't seen much of his play, is this true or an exaggeration?

"Keith was considered the clear-cut favorite to win the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman until before the Olympic break

[VakarLajos 5]

It's possible he could switch to MLX. They're not strangers to the CHI locker room. Byfuglien is in them.

[TBLfan 25]

Sometimes it is in the details. Martin St. Louis got his second pair of XXX and hated them. Until he noticed there was an extra eyelet and he was using it!

Marty is just that kind of guy. Look at the stick issue... Synergy grip => Vapor XXXlite => synergy st(no graphics, all yellow) => Bauer one95(yellow) => Synergy ST(yellow).

Also with the gloves, after the Vapor XXXX glove came out he went back and forth around 5 or 6 times to the XXX. Then he has to have adjustments to the glove palms and has single piece fingers.

[fawn111 0]

A good craftsman does not blame his tools.

[furlanitalia 1]

Marty is just that kind of guy. Look at the stick issue... Synergy grip => Vapor XXXlite => synergy st(no graphics, all yellow) => Bauer one95(yellow) => Synergy ST(yellow).

Also with the gloves, after the Vapor XXXX glove came out he went back and forth around 5 or 6 times to the XXX. Then he has to have adjustments to the glove palms and has single piece fingers.

Also uses the XXX tongues on his X:60's.

And as for the pot calling the kettle black - it's one thing to search for the piece of equipment that works best for you, another to blame a certain piece that isn't performing. Although good on Keith for clarifying that he isn't blaming bauer, just can't get comfortable in his skates.

[DarkStar50 680]

FWIW, Fedotenko has TotalONEs on now, not MLX.

[TBLfan 25]

A good craftsman does not blame his tools.

Well, at many times it is appropriate, particularly in hockey. How would you play if you had a different flex, pattern stick and skates that didn't fit well? Now imagine a pro trying to be at the highest level possible. Something doesn't feel right with his skates, the ice is softer and he has to change his hollow... whatever. I'm willing to give them the benefit of doubt when they say that it's not feeling right.

Now when you're complaining about using a different kind of stick tape then yes, you're just bitching... unless it's blue label renfrew, then you're just stating fact. :P

[furlanitalia 1]

Well, at many times it is appropriate, particularly in hockey. How would you play if you had a different flex, pattern stick and skates that didn't fit well? Now imagine a pro trying to be at the highest level possible. Something doesn't feel right with his skates, the ice is softer and he has to change his hollow... whatever. I'm willing to give them the benefit of doubt when they say that it's not feeling right.

I would be to but only to a certain degree. Unlike the average player they have the opportunity to get a sheet of ice and try out every stick, in every flex, and every pattern, while wearing any skate, or any gloves, or so forth. One game or two is one thing, but a whole month and you still can't figure out what's different? It's not like anything is new to him, he had everything fine tuned and now he needs to get back to that. How his skates aren't being made the same baffles me. I can understand little discrepancies, but unless he is being sent someone else's pair I don't see how Bauer (or any company) could continue to make errors.

[TBLfan 25]

I would be to but only to a certain degree. Unlike the average player they have the opportunity to get a sheet of ice and try out every stick, in every flex, and every pattern, while wearing any skate, or any gloves, or so forth. One game or two is one thing, but a whole month and you still can't figure out what's different? It's not like anything is new to him, he had everything fine tuned and now he needs to get back to that. How his skates aren't being made the same baffles me. I can understand little discrepancies, but unless he is being sent someone else's pair I don't see how Bauer (or any company) could continue to make errors.

It could be a few things with variations in build paired with other factors. People's feet can also change over time, my arch is higher than it used to be, for example.

I'm not willing to except it as an excuse(like that matters) but lack of comfort is lack of comfort. One of my insoles was slightly off last icetime, it was uncomfortable... it doesn't take much.

[furlanitalia 1]

It could be a few things with variations in build paired with other factors. People's feet can also change over time, my arch is higher than it used to be, for example.

I'm not willing to except it as an excuse(like that matters) but lack of comfort is lack of comfort. One of my insoles was slightly off last icetime, it was uncomfortable... it doesn't take much.

I agree, but by the sounds of it you located the problem and fixed it after one ice time. We're talking about a month here and a couple pairs of skates. I'm probably ragging on him specifically too hard, and I'm sure irony will catch up to me and I'll have a problem with my gear from here on out, but I just find it a little suspect that an nhl player with the ability to try out anything has long term problems like this.

[Law Goalie 147]

A good craftsman does not blame his tools.

That's exactly what I said after I tried to fix a live standpipe with an acetylene torch.

[frankie56 0]

Like Tiger Woods and his Nike clubs.

[Hockeydog 8]

Could be a case of him not being able to dial in the fit of his skates due to a change in his feet. You'd think the teams Bauer rep would be on that for him. I have noticed that Brandon Sutter of the Carolina Hurricanes switched from his Grafs to X:60s. Players do change equipment and I'm sure Bauer would hate to see their percentage of NHL players in their skates drop to new lows LOL

[Too Old 1]

Maybe I'll send him the Fedorov Missions I just got. Give him some Wings mojo; at least they are winning. :lol:

[gxc999 7]

It could be a few things with variations in build paired with other factors. People's feet can also change over time, my arch is higher than it used to be, for example.

I'm not willing to except it as an excuse(like that matters) but lack of comfort is lack of comfort. One of my insoles was slightly off last icetime, it was uncomfortable... it doesn't take much.

Very, very good point there. The same thing happened to me when I was younger, my feet changed. They flattened out and widened in certain areas. I'm told this can also happen when you gain or lose a lot of weight. It's possible maybe his feet suddenly changed a bit or gradually over time and he only noticed it when they reached a certain point.

[jsykes 35]

Additionally, customs are not perfect. I've had a pair of custom X60s I'm waiting for as the first pair that came through did not fit and they've gone back for a second round.

So even if there are small things, it can take weeks to do a new pair, so they try something, its not perfect and they do a new pair, but that could be weeks down the line.

[Hawkeye 0]

I'm sure that his feet have changed a little thru the season. He plays 25 mintues a night maybe he's lost a couple pounds and his feet are a little smaller. I would think he could articulate that to a rep who could have some adjustments made.

It does say he's been thru 10 pairs this year. At that point I'd be willing to try anything.

My One90's fit like a dream when I first got them. But the past 6 months they've been hell. I just wish I had the $$ to replace them.