Interesting, yes?
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AuTq4wkiwu92mOVOnE9UxWJ7vLYF?slug=ap-heated-blades&prov=ap&type=lgns
2007-10-16 12:41:07 · 15 answers · asked by Bob Loblaw 7 in Sports ➔ Hockey
Shueman- I think the rule of thumb is like double it and add 32.
2007-10-16 12:50:39 · update #1
Yes, these need to be in the NHL. These are the greatest skates ever. Steve Yzerman, Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Rick Nash, and Brad Richards tried these out during the lockout and all were amazed. Just about every player who has tried them loves them. Gretzky and Yzerman actually invested in the company that makes them.
The skate makes gliding and accelerating easier, and late in games when the ice gets crappy and players get tired, these skates will make it easier.
I tried them about a year ago and I loved them. Beat the hell out of my Tuuk blades on my Bauer Black Panthers.
2007-10-17 00:55:35 · answer #1 · answered by Like I'm Telling You Who I A 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that it probably works. Someone else may be able to confirm or discredit this, but my understanding is that the friction between the ice and the blade actually causes the ice to melt somewhat. It seems logical that if you increase that heat, you will generate more speed. I am sure there is a balance point where too much heat reduces your speed as well.
My personal opinion, it is a completely unnecessary piece of equipment and the primary intention is to bump the price of skates from the $600 price range to the $1000 range.
If everyone put these heated blades on, and if they are as effective they appear to be everyone will, where would the advantage be anyway? Just what the NHL needs, take players who are going 30-35 MPH and colliding with each other and change their top speed to 40 MPH. You are going to end up with nothing more than more injuries, primarily concussions.
EDIT: I didn't think about what kind of impact that could have on the ice if everyone starts wearing these, but it's a great point. Honestly, I don't see why the NHL wouldn't take an approach similar to baseball or golf where they limit the technology permitted. My primary concern in the regard is still the safety of the players.
EDIT2: Zap, I read in a different article that the weight increase is about 10% over traditional blades, it should only work out to a few onces and the companies testing says that the weight increase is offset by the increased performance.
2007-10-16 21:06:47 · answer #2 · answered by Lubers25 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The friction created by a skate gliding on ice naturally melts the ice between the two edges (in the hollow of the skate blade). That's what enables a skater to propel forward.
Durability questions aside, I wonder how much more this technology can really enhance that dynamic. I also wonder if a weight penalty will be incurred by a player as a result of batteries in each holder.
Most importantly, if this product does what they say, I wonder what the ice surface will look like after 20 guys on heated blades fly around on it for 60 minutes.
2007-10-16 23:53:30 · answer #3 · answered by zapcity29 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No doubt that these skates will make skaters faster but where would this stop. What's next? A stick with a computer chip in it to shift weight in the blade for larger sweet spots. There has to be a point where playing as a machine and as a human is defined.
I would have no problem if during the intermission the players heated up their skates to make them faster but the computer chip in the skates is just too much.
2007-10-16 20:38:02 · answer #4 · answered by Bruce W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No doubt it will make the individual players faster but I don't see the point. The game has already been fixed to be faster, making the players faster will just add to injuries as was stated above. Call me old fashioned but I like knowing that my speed comes from my legs not my computer chip heated skates.
2007-10-16 22:02:01 · answer #5 · answered by player44 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
C to F: Cx1.8 + 32 = F so 5 x 1.8 +32 = 41F
I heard about these when Gretzky was first investing in them. What next rocket packs?
Sorry, I think this piece of technology belongs in a SF novel and not in hockey.
2007-10-16 19:59:38 · answer #6 · answered by PuckDat 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
5 degrees Celsius is 41 degrees Fahrenheit. I am a math geek lol.
Is it really going to help the players or is it like the new jerseys in terms of being useless?
2007-10-16 19:52:12 · answer #7 · answered by Yeddie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Won't that rrrrrrealy mess up the ice faster??
Doesn't matter if the players all skate 5mph if the puck bounces like a basketball.
2007-10-16 22:53:34 · answer #8 · answered by Duffman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a good idea.
Similar to skating on plastic sheets with oil.
2007-10-16 21:53:08 · answer #9 · answered by j h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gary Bettman:
"I know, let's use thermal blades to go along with our new 'stream-lined' rbk jerseys!"
Secretary:
"Sure Mr. Bettman. Whatever you say Mr. Bettman."
2007-10-16 19:53:42 · answer #10 · answered by TBL 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋