Pokecheque wrote:
Do all pro players just use those stupid disposable blades now? I'm seeing a serious uptick in players trapped on the ice because they literally lose a skate blade blocking a shot. It just seems like a dumb idea to me, not to mention insanely wasteful.
Replaceable, yes. I'm not sure about disposable. I'm 99% sure they sharpen the blades and continue to use them for a while.
I've read that Crosby replaces them literally every single shift. He wants freshly sharpened blades every time on the ice. 15 second shift? Replace them.
But I agree, it's annoying. But it's part of the game that I think is here to stay. The ability to switch blades in 5 seconds and keep a top player in the game, vs having him walk back to the room mid-game, take his skate off to be sharpened, put it back on and be back on the bench... What are you talking there- 5 minutes minimum?
I'm sure every time a pro's blade falls out mid-game, there's some guy at the skate company freaking out that he's going to hear it from the boss... They'll have better systems soon.
I've changed a few. They are a real pain in the ass the first time, and then are pretty easy. So if they're changed 15 times/game, they're going to start falling out. I guess they replace the whole blade assembly now and then. I read somewhere recently that most NHL players go through like 6 pairs of skates/season now.