Select group to test heated blades, could be used in games. Thoughts?

Question

Should this ever get into the NHL?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3066347

Answer 1

If the technology improves the sport overall, I don't see why it would be a problem. If anything, all these "heated" blades (41F is still cold, just not as cold as the ice) will do is allow players to keep their speed up after the ice gets all pitted and chipped up during the course of a period (which really lasts from 30-50 minutes in real-time, not game time).

The Zamboni is great but after about the first 5-8 minutes of the period, the ice just gets thrashed. Imagine being able to play a game, then, where the ice virtually feels smooth all the time and players don't have to fight the ice surface.

I don't think this will result in players getting lazy; after all hockey is still a tough sport regardless and if anything, the conditioning they undergo is still necessary, if not more so, because the overall speed of the game picks up. They'll have to worry about harder impacts or keeping up with faster players.

Also, the technology is merely aiding what happens naturally when a skate blade contacts ice; it creates a thin water film on the ice surface when pressure from the blade causes the surface layer to melt. The heated blade is just enhancing the effect.

Me, personally, I think it bears trying out to see if the technology can survive the roughness of a typical pro hockey game and not break, and if it does break, can the player keep using the skates?

I'm sure hockey purists see it as mucking around with the game but if that's the case should we also go back to pre-Zamboni days, have players hydrate by eating ice chips off the ice surface, start using horsehair and leather for equipment, and make sticks out of solid wood again? After all, hockey equipment has made tremendous advancements in the past 40 years and I don't think we should argue that these advancements have not made the game what it is today.

Answer 2

While advancements in technology continue to grow by leaps and bounds, it doesn't mean we should automatically use any or all of it. I have no doubt that these blades will decrease the resistance of skates over the ice, but do we need it? In my opinion, no we don't. We are talking about players that for the most part are in prime physical condition. They don't need the little help these skates may provide. This is a clever gimmick that an obviously intelligent person came up with. Keep it in the private sector, and leave it out of professional sports. What is next? Motorized skates? LEAVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE GAME ALONE! Bettman has done enough to tear this game apart already...... Leave the gadgets out of it.

Answer 3

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.


Luvmybrew
This has nothing to do with Bettman, the NHLPA has sole authority on testing new technology. The league sets limit on sizes etc, but the NHLPA is the one who endorses a product or chooses not to.

Answer 4

NO. Forgive my lack of excellence in the field of physics but if the blades reduce friction and friction is needed to get traction, then won't getting started be more of an issue with these things? I can see their advantage once you have gained speed because less friction would let you maintain inertia but not at starts and stops? Anyonwe with a high level of physics able to clear my confusion here?

Answer 5

puckdat the friction will still be there for the "push off" because of foot angle. this will lower friction when glideing and such. much the same as the reason they are cresent shaped instead of single blade. the purpose being is pressure causes ice to go to water creating a "bead." the idea is the same with heated blade increase the bead lower friction.

Answer 6

We outplayed, and outclassed you adult adult males tonight. No excuses should be made. yet this extreme is a few distance from over. i imagine we ought to close it out in interest 6. strong luck Friday Josh Smith is a moron, lol, he tried to do the less than the leg dunk and mis.........he's a moron BTW: shall we end this "warfare" on the on the spot. I easily don't have any more something adversarial to the nice and comfy temperature, yet you mustn't cheer at the same time as participant get injured....it really is in basic terms incorrect.

Answer 7

Bettman is trying to pull cards out of his a$s. He has changed the game and put in bull crap rules that have grinded playing almost to a halt. Now it looks as if he is trying to implement new 'technology' to try and bring some of that speed back to the game that he took away. Do not get we wrong these skates look pretty damn cool, but until rule changes are reversed and Bettman is out not a whole lot will change game play wise.

Answer 8

Color me a skeptic.

I tend to question the word of a guy who never managed to upgrade out of his Perfecta blades during his playing days suddenly talk about blade technology...even if his name is Gretzky.

I'm still curious to give them a spin, nonetheless.

Answer 9

Maybe Dan Kordic will come out of retirement and be able to actually keep up with guys who have average speed.

Then again, what happens if the skates overheat? Will it melt the ice? Will players get burned feet?

Answer 10

LEAVE THE DAMN GAME ALONE!!