2012-2013 Gear Sightings

[The MAD Line 2]

I don't know. Look different to me.

Now they look different, from the other view, all I could really go by was the thumb design, which looks a lot alike.

RBZ line of gloves or new CL?

[michael.yue 2]

They're the new CLs. A picture was posted on PHEW (I know ) with a few different angles. Not sure if I'm allowed to say what they're called.

[Harv 86]

Better pic: http://saratogian.com/content/articles/2012/10/24/sports/doc50887b35a7961922945108.jpg

(Huge photo)

[Rockingsquat 4]

Gonchar is rocking them for quite a while, and judging by his skating technique it doesn't look like he has any complaint about them...

[JR Boucicaut 3789]

If that's in response to my comment, he's in the Cruikshank group as well. Remember he was the first to wear MLX.

[mnpucker 33]

Interesting he taped over the tendon guard.

[JR Boucicaut 3789]

Interesting he taped over the tendon guard.

I actually discussed something with the Easton guys when I saw the skate; I think an interesting concept would be to be able to customize the tendon guard flex by having several stiffnesses and swapping out to your liking; we'll see if it's implemented down the road.

[JR Boucicaut 3789]

No, 709 Vario-Flex was different; you would insert stiffners into the quarter of the boot.

Think Bauer's 3-flex tongue inserts, but tendon guards. So you'd have a medium, stiff and extra-stiff tendon guard. Screw on the one you want.

[JR Boucicaut 3789]

http://www.grafcanada.com/hockey_skates/709.php

Look at the skate - where the Supra 709 logo is, that's where the stiffener went in. When you look at the description, they call it extra stiff with flexible ankle - the stiffener was to stiffen the ankle if you wanted it. The tendon guard was fixed and did not change regardless of stiffness.

[Joonas #6 3]

This is not a gear sighting, this is a really weird question. Does anyone know what shin pads would resemble Kovy's Vapor (I think) shins? I really like the shape/look of those.

[AIREAYE 248]

Hard to tell when there's a sock over them and when looking from a side profile. Another pic?

[donkers 31]

Hard to tell when there's a sock over them and when looking from a side profile. Another pic?

Here's a pic of his locker. Don't think he'd change protective equipment just because he's in Russia now.

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/1yHYO5c4gOH/Jacques+Lemaire+Announces+Retirement+Coaching/mSIFA-_9Rqj/Ilya+Kovalchuk

[JR Boucicaut 3789]

The piece wrapped around the back of the tendon guard, but I just don't see how that part would flex; it was more of a cuff than anything and where all of the stress was. I don't believe tendon guard flexibility was mentioned as a feature.

That’s a picture of a newer model, I remember seeing separate pictures of the stiffeners, and based on shape and the fact that each one had different stiffness it’s only logical that it would increase stiffness of the tendon guard. We’re arguing about the same principle only different design approach.

[AIREAYE 248]

Here's a pic of his locker. Don't think he'd change protective equipment just because he's in Russia now.

http://www.zimbio.co.../Ilya Kovalchuk

They're definitely Vapors, but they're from the Vapor 10 series I think. Don't know anything about them, sorry!

[JR Boucicaut 3789]

Shoulders and shins are Vapor 6. The Vapor 10 was blue.

[HattrickSwayze 3]

Another off-kilter question: How the hell does Kovalchuk keep his socks so neatly tucked over his tendon guard?

[donkers 31]

He might tape his ankles underneath his sock.

[iammerson 19]

Not a gear thing but what is it with the #32. First Ovie now Semin?

And before you guys say anything I know Dumb Question lol

[Rockingsquat 4]

These are the original varioflex

http://rollerdiffusion.free.fr/magasin/photos/graf%20supra%20709.jpg

Indeed it was never really mentioned as a feature, and the insert wasn't going all the way up the tendon guard.

If I remember correctly the upper (visible once inserted) part of 2 inserts (B and C) was the same, only the part that was going laterally in the pocket were of different hardness.

BUT you could also skate without any insert (flex A) and in this case the tendon guard would definitely be softer.

Better seen on that.

[t6lock 24]

sedins using RS????

daniel at 1:45, henrik at 2:15

whoops

[JetsCanucks 6]

sedins using RS????

daniel at 1:45, henrik at 2:15

got a link?

[innotastic 12]

yea they've been using it since the off season. technically still off season i know. august. w/e.

[JetsCanucks 6]

yea they've been using it since the off season. technically still off season i know. august. w/e.

Ya the UBC Charity game hosted by Bieksa, saw the RS twigs used by the Sedins. Saw the video before you posted the link haha but thanks for posting it.

[Joonas #6 3]

Not a gear thing but what is it with the #32. First Ovie now Semin?

And before you guys say anything I know Dumb Question lol

I believe they both played with that number in Russia before NHL. I'm not 100% sure about Semin, but I know Ovi did.

[JR Boucicaut 3789]

You're missing a major point here; the back doesn't flex in either direction. If it did...it would fall out of the skate. Take an envelope and bend it slightly so that both sides are parallel to each other. Now move it at the apex of the curve - what happens? The two sides move with it. And since arches are stronger and aren't designed to flex at all...it would simply fall out of the skate. Not to mention, the tendon guard comes up halfway to the eyelet on the top of the boot, one can certainly deduce that it wasn't made with flexibility in mind. Yet on the new MCI 9035, it has tapers where tendon guard meets boot.

If we go by your thinking, these are your options -

Option A - no insert whatsoever; standard stiffness, standard tendon guard that is able to flex

Option B - Stiffness 1, stiff tendon guard as the plastic will impede flex at the point when tendon guard meets plastic

Option C - Stiffness 2, stiff tendon guard as the plastic will impede flex at the point when tendon guard meets plastic

But, I most likely won't change your thinking, and this is a gear sightings thread, so, let's just agree to disagree and move on.