stackem30

Rule of Thumb: If the weight difference does not equal something a Columbian drug lord would execute his subordinates over, it's not going to make your a better goalie.

Sorry, the strap thing is ridiculous. I'm not saying lighter straps aren't something to aspire to or prefer, but do people really think Hellebuyck or Hotlby are "weighed down" by a few extra straps? That those straps are affecting their quickness, their energy? That they're making a difference in whether they make a save or not? Goalies from decades ago still wore stuffed leather pads with tons of straps, and they were still better and quicker than anyone on this board. It's fine to prefer less/lighter straps. But they're not going to make you a better goalie, or help you make a save. Sometimes I think on a subconscious level, many of us love to focus on our gear, because it's far easier to 'work on' than technique or training. Instead of worrying about strap weight, I'd work on your skating and conditioning instead. That stuff *actually* makes a difference in whether you make a save or not.

??? Principles of detection lead me to hypothesize that these photos depict the sport ice hockey. No individuals can be identified at this juncture. Further details pending a crime lab analysis and report.

Hey @CG35, how do you like it so far? I'm recovering from a separated shoulder, and I'm preparing to start skating a bit. But I'm a little nervous about protecting my collarbone. My chest pad is very old, and the straps have lost all elasticity — so it sags a bit around the neckline. I have a Brown throat guard, but the collarbone padding doesn't cover a lot. I'd like to put off buying a new chest pad for a bit longer, but I really want to make sure my clavicle is protected. Many of the protective shirts I've seen seem to be a bit light on collarbone padding... but this Gator Armour (never heard of them before) looks pretty decent. Thanks.

If you ever find it and decide you don't want it, PM me!

I want need to get my hands on one!

I've always wanted a Heaton ProZ / Helite III stick pretty badly... to the point where I would consider playing with an autographed Brodeur one, if I found it for the right price (I already have a few autographs of his, including one made out to me on a game-used stick). Unfortunately, all his autographed Helite III sticks go for more than I'd ever be willing to pay. Probably for the best. I remember seeing that Guy Hebert put an unused Heaton ProZ outside of his door after the Humboldt tragedy. If it wasn't so damn tasteless, I might have messaged him on the side and asked if he had any spares he'd be willing to part with. Anyone else have autographed gear they use?

I also agree with your points — they're going brand the team with a name that will be popular and maximize opportunities for revenue. For better or for worse, that means taking people's opinions on all matters into account. They'll play the odds.

It's a tricky subject, and I don't want to overtake the entire thread on the matter (edit: too late). I occupy a weird space where I'm about as left-leaning as it comes in terms of social matters... but I also feel that political correctness / the desire to not offend anyone has risen to some pretty ridiculous levels. I feel like there are right and wrong ways to work with Native American names/branding in sports. Redskins and their logo need to go, like, yesterday. The Indians should also ditch Chief Wahoo entirely. Native Americans have made their feelings known about these. People should listen. The problems are obvious. I don't have a personal problem with the name Indians, or the Braves, the Blackhawks, or any of their logos. I've never heard a particular swell of Native American voices say they have a problem with them, either. But in the end, it's not for me to decide if the usage of Native American elements for sports branding is 'offensive' or not. I'd choose to defer to actual Native Americans on the matter (not other white people who feel something is offensive). I don't really see any issue at all with Totems, but like I said, I don't think my opinion on the subject is particularly relevant. I just think Totems is a corny name and concept. Yawn.

I really don't like 'Kraken' — I enjoy irony as much as the next young person, but how can we ever take the name/line seriously after Liam Neeson... plus, Kraken rum is just awful. Well, I don't like rum at all, actually... I don't like Totems, just as a subject matter — my feelings on Native American names/images in sports varies greatly from case to case, but I don't see anything wrong with Totems if it's done respectfully. It just seems like an "eh" subject matter... an inanimate, immovable thing? It'd be like calling the Capitals the Monuments or the Statues. I just feel like there has to be something better... The northwestern Native American design aesthetic is very cool, though — I like how the Seahawks have a bit of that in their logo. Whether they go with Totems or not, I hope some of that comes through. Not a fan of Metropolitans, especially since we have the Metropolitan division back in the East. I also grew up in NY/NJ, so I have a hard time not thinking of Mr. Met...

I think the Golden Seals green/yellow/white is a likely forerunner. It's a pretty classic palette for sports teams (A's, Packers, etc), and the NHL hasn't had it since the mid-90's. And of course, there were the Seattle Sonics... I could see a hypothetical situation where Vancouver reverts to their flying skate logo/colors full time, leaving the door open for Seattle to brand themselves with some form of (navy?) blue and green — something akin to the Seahawks, or maybe the Whalers. But I don't see that happening... even if the Flying Skate throwbacks are hugely popular, the Canucks wouldn't make the switch for another few years. The timing just doesn't work. I'd love to see some purple in the NHL — but it doesn't really seem like a fit for Seattle (though a combination of purple and a stormy grey-blue could look cool...). I'm always hoping the LA Kings will realize how boring and played out their black/white/silver color scheme is (this coming from a guy with all white/black/silver gear) and re-embrace the purple and yellow.

I was going to say, we stayed in one of the gayer neighborhoods in Paris when my wife and I visited, and I never saw a 'Coq Planet'.

Sooo there's a rink called Coq Planet? Not ideal with the low temperatures and all, but that's still cool.

Nice pics, RichMan

I totally get it... we all tend to put a lot (too much) of thought and pride into our gear, and it's natural to be a bit defensive when someone suggests that our tastes and choices are wrong. But in the end, if you're happy with what you have, does it really matter? I got some funny comments (none which bothered me in the least) about my decision to have 6 leather straps on my new pads, and I thought everyone had a good point — it's kinda dumb! But it's what I wanted, and I'm glad I have what I want. And for what it's worth, I don't think you're in the wrong for your pads in any way, shape, or form. I ordered plenty of gear from Simmons over the years (albeit, when I was much younger) and I've never felt guilty about it for a second — and as I've mentioned in previous posts here, I probably wouldn't be above looking into some Heaton clones. Ultimately, this whole clone debate is pretty nuanced, and everyone's personal take on the matter comes with some sizable caveats. I still don't like a lot of the cloning things I see from Simmons, Boddam, and even Kenesky (who made my lovely pads — and I'd definitely work with them again), but I put the onus on them to make 'ethical' choices, and not so much the customer. You wanted something, they sold it to you, and you're very happy with it. Don't worry about anyone else, this is all meant to be fun talk ?

That's a straw-man argument if I ever read one... I don't recall anyone here saying that cloning goalie equipment is as serious a problem as kids who don't have access to food. That's also a classic bit of bad logic — when your boss asks you about a project you're responsible for, do you say, "Really? There's starvation in Africa, and you want to ask me about my report?" Does mass immigration, world hunger, poverty, and genocide mean we can't debate anything smaller, or feel strongly about it? Of course not. It's not a harsh diatribe, and I don't think it's "faux outrage". It's an interesting conversation about a phenomenon in an industry in which we're all interested. And some people have opinions on it that you don't agree with. It's okay if you like your Simmons gear or don't feel Simmons does anything wrong — join the conversation! But don't be offended or say that the conversation shouldn't occur in the first place.

We're trying to fend off blue balls and you're running around talking about insertion? Check yourself, Naz. To weigh in, I would not consider a wheelie bag for myself at present time, for all the reasons people have noted here. Having said that... Anyone who genuinely thinks a person is weak or uncool for having a wheelie bag needs to get a grip — everyone has their own quirks, needs, and discomforts, and I think it's admirable that people can disregard any notion of what's cool, and simply embrace what works for them. Seriously, who cares? At the same time, you can't be too sensitive about some good 'ole ball-busting when you opt for a wheelie bag. It's all in good fun, and being touchy or overly-defensive of your choice only begets more razzing.

@mik Do I spy a Hiller autograph on the top of each knee roll?

Goddamn, @BadAngle41. You've got a look there.

Yeah, I think my team has a (completely unspoken) "no significant others" agreement. I get it. I used to ask my wife if she wanted to come watch me play like, maybe once a year, but I haven't in a while — the guys I play with never have anyone coming to watch them, and I'd feel a little bit sheepish being the one guy who asked his wife to come watch them and take photos (not that anyone would really care). Plus, I played in an outdoor league this winter, and the league I'm in now has a lot of late games... and neither of those scenarios agree with my gal's delicate sensitivities.

Man, where do you guys play where there are so many (or even one) photographers at your games?? That's really cool — I don't care too much, but I'd dig seeing a photo of myself in net once in a blue moon. I've played up in Boston for about 5 years now, and I've almost never seen so much as somebody's wife or buddy take a phone pic from the bleachers...

I don't think this analogy holds up — or it depends, at least. When you say somebody's words, do you mean like an author's? Is the author alive? Do they have an estate that has rights to/can profit from those words? In your hypothetical scenario, you are taking creative property from someone (words), and asking someone else to make something entirely different with them (a sign), something the original creator never offered, or isn't around to make/profit from. But in the majority of the cases we're looking at, companies aren't taking the original creator's design/labels and making something totally different... they are making goalie equipment, the same thing that the original creator makes. And if the original creator is around to make that thing and/or profit from it, I think there's a problem.

If you were a writer, would you be okay with someone else publishing your words, as long as they didn't claim they were the first to write it? They're still making money for your work, even if they don't claim to have come up with the text... I think someone not taking credit for a clone doesn't mean anything if the person who created the original is still around, and not getting paid for it. Credit won't keep the lights on.

Man, if I had known Kenesky was down to do work like that, I might have made my pads into full-on Heaton ripoffs! Oh well I'm still not sure how I feel about some of the more specific points of this debate. Generally speaking, I want to support original work (and the people behind it), and I am totally against cloning graphics that are currently available from the companies that designed them. I can't stand some of the stuff Simmons and Boddam have done over the years, and it's made me think less of them. But when it comes to graphics from long-defunct companies, I'm a little less sure. For my own selfish example, let's pretend I want to get some Heaton clones for my next set of gloves. CCM (who owns the Heaton brand) isn't making them, and doesn't do custom work. If that stuff were widely available today, I'd never get a cloned version for less money or anything. And sadly, Brian Heaton is no longer with us, and to my knowledge, there'd be no way to commission any equipment that would benefit his estate or anything like that in the long run. To me, getting a Heaton clone would be a thing of total homage, something to honor a man who made gear that I pined after as a kid, and keep the look alive. Isn't that a positive thing when a brand/graphic are truly defunct? It's kind of sad knowing that certain things would fade into memory when so many people still love and appreciate them. Not sure what I think of those Revolutions (I mean, they look sweet as hell, but...). Is CCM/Koho no longer offering that Revolution graphic? I know it was revived a few years back... I don't really love the Kenesky Revolution seal and logo. To me, that just hits too close to home, and feels to much like taking credit for the Revolution line. But this whole debate comes down to some interesting points and specifics, and so many of the things that either sit fine with me or rub me the wrong way are not far apart.