Blog

Thanks for your comments on the posts so far...I'll try to answer as many of your questions as I can, so keep your comments coming.

John: When does the Nike Swoosh come off Bauer helmets and skates? I want new gear, but don't want the swoosh.

The Nike Swoosh will be coming off the Bauer gear moving forward. All new gear that is released, starting with the new Vapor skate line, will be Bauer branded. You can find new Bauer branded Vapor and Flexlite skates right now, and our new Vapor stick, which is launched in October, will also be Bauer branded.

Tank Paolo: Is it possible to get the x60s with the stock tuuks but in black?

Sorry Tank, this isn't an option.

Steve: Just bought my kids the new vapor shift skates. they are not advertised on this web site. i think they are the same as the x40's. am i right? is this just a different naming system between u.s. and canada?

This is an exclusive model for Source For Sports based off both the X:40 & X:50.

Marc: Can you still get a custom made stick?

Yes, you can still order your own custom made stick with Bauer iD. From bauer.com you can click on the "Bauer iD" tab at the top of the page or you can go directly to www.nikebauerid.com. You can then design your own custom Vapor XXXX or Supreme ONE95.

Tim: When are you coming out with a new Bauer stick?

Our new Vapor stick will be released in October 2009.

Israels E: Was wondering when the new Supreme skates were going to come out, I also dont like the nike swoosh but I like the Supreme line of skates.

The new line of Supreme skates will be released in 2010.

Peter Veltri: Will the backstrom curve be replacing the old lindros curve? if so will there be any adjustment to the curve or just the name change?

The Lindros P88 curve will not be changing any of its specs or design. The name however will be changing to Kane. Along with the P88, the P92 Naslund curve will be changing its name to Backstrom. You'll see these changes on the new Bauer Vapor sticks and any Supreme ONE95 sticks starting in October.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

Bauer would like to congratulate Tim Thomas for winning the 2009 Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender.

Thomas, who finished the regular season with a 36-11-7 record, led the league in both save percentage (.933) and goals-against average (2.10).

Thomas is certainly an inspiration and an example as to why you should never give up on your dreams. Just four years ago, Thomas was playing hockey over in Finland and wasn't sure if he would ever make it back to the NHL.

"I never allowed myself to think I might win," said Thomas. "All those names on the trophy, it seemed like such a faraway dream. I've been more worried about getting my name on a roster than winning the Vezina Trophy", an emotional Thomas joked.

After signing a long term contract during the season, the Bruins are happy to say they have their Vezina Trophy winning goaltender locked up. Once again, congrats to Tim on a terrific season and for winning the Vezina.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

Bauer Hockey would like to congratulate the Pittsburgh Penguins for winning the 2009 Stanley Cup. The Pens, faced with a Game 7 in Detroit, beat the Red Wings 2-1 to capture their first Stanley Cup since 1992.

Evgeni Malkin was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the postseason. He led all scorers with 14 goals, 22 assists and 36 points. It was an amazing series between the two teams that fittingly went to the distance.

With the win, Jordan Staal can now tell his older brother Eric, who won in 2006, that he's not the only one in the family who has won a Stanley Cup. Jordan scored key goals in Games 5 and 6 and was one of the key defenders on the ice throughout the series.

We'll have more to come with reaction from the players, but once again, congrats to the Penguins on a terrific season and winning the Stanley Cup.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

Welcome to the all-new Bauer Blog - your inside source for the latest, up-to-date info on gear, players, goalies and everything else related to the game. Check back regularly for news, updates, comments and exclusive Bauer photos and videos. Also, join the conversation by posting your comments on the things you like, don't like or want to see more of.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

There were two big scoring performances over the last couple of nights thanks to David Backes and Jeff Carter.

Backes scored a career high four goals on Thursday night to lead the St. Louis Blues to a 5-4 victory against the Detroit Red Wings. "I don't know what happened," said Backes. "One of those games where you kind of black out and then they're patting you on the back." It was also Backes' first career hat trick.

For Backes, its been a career season in which he now has career highs in goals (30) and assists (21) for a Blues club that is fighting to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004. The Blues currently sit in the eigth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Meanwhile, Jeff Carter picked up his first career hat trick on Friday night as he helped Philly outgun Toronto, 8-5. "I've had a lot of two-goal games. I'm just happy to get it out of the way," Carter said, referring to the hat trick. Similar to Backes, Carter has set career highs in goals (44) and assists (36) and leads the Flyers in points with 80. With the win, Carter and the Flyers moved into fourth place in the Eastern Conference with just five games left in the regular season.

It has certainly been a breakout season for these two young players and you can be sure both of their clubs will be looking for more scoring from them as the regular season winds down and the playoffs start up.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

With the type of season Tim Thomas has produced, you knew the Bruins would want to bring back the Vezina candidate goalie. Well, it seems as though both sides wanted the same thing, as Thomas has reportedly agreed to a multi-year extension that will keep him in Boston for at least the next three years.

Thomas, who picked up his 33rd win of the season on Thursday, continues to lead the league in goals-against- average (2.11) and save percentage (.932). He is certainly deserving of a new contract that will reportedly pay him an average of $5 million per season.

NBH would like to congratulate Tim on his spectacular season and the new contract. He and his teammates will be back in action on Saturday when they host the New York Rangers.

Below you can check out a video of Thomas with an inside look as to why he became a goalie and what it's like to play in the NHL playoffs.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

NBH would like to congratulate Chris Mason of the St. Louis Blues for being named the NHL's First Star of the week.

Mason went 4-0-0 record with a 1.72 goals-against average and .930 save percentage as the Blues (37-30-9) moved into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

During that stretch Mason picked up his fifth shutout of the season during the team's 2-0 win against the Kings. For the season, Mason is now 23-20-6 with a 2.42 goals-against average. He and the Blues will look to continue their playoff push when they take on the Blackhawks in Chicago on Wednesday night.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

Tim Thomas stopped a season high 45 shots and Milan Lucic scored his 15th and 16th goals of the season to lead the Bruins to a big 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Thomas made some huge saves during the game, including some acrobatic stops during a Flyers 5 on 3 power play during the second period. "Offensively we were opportunistic and scored some big goals and we're getting that part of our game together," Thomas said. "I don't think anybody thinks that we're completely there. I think it's a step in the right direction."

Thomas continues to lead the league in both Goals Against Average (2.13) and save percentage (.931) in what has become a season worthy of winning the Vezina Trophy.

Lucic's goals came in the first period when he tied the game at 1 and then later gave the B's a 3-1 lead. "We wanted to come out hard," Lucic said. "We got the momentum on our side and we just controlled the second and third period."

The Bruins have won three in a row and will look to make it four when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne have each had seasons in which they have had to battle and prove the doubters wrong.

Carter has emerged and shown that he is one of the elite scorers in this league while Gagne has battled back from injuries to once again regain his scoring touch and high level of play.

On Monday night they continued to improve upon their impressive seasons as both men netted goals for the Flyers. Carter scored the game winning goal against New Jersey, which turned out to be his 40th goal of the season. He leads the Flyers in goals and is currently third overall in the league. Carter also has a career high 33 assists which gives him a total of 73 points.

Gagne scored his his 30th goal of the season as he extended his goal scoring streak to three games. He has been one of the great stories in the NHL this season as he missed 57 games last season with injuries. He has also picked up 39 assists which gives him 69 points, the second most he has scored during a regular season.

Both Carter and Gagne will be looking to finish the regular season strong, as the Flyers currently sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with just 10 games remaining. They will be action on Thursday night when they host the Florida Panthers.

Posted By: Luke Ventura

The Pittsburgh Penguins are playing their best hockey of the season and it couldn't have come at a better time. In jeopardy of missing the playoffs after reaching the Stanley Cup Finals a year ago, the Penguins have turned it on and have gone 9-0-2 in their last 11 games. Their sudden surge has put them into 5th place in the Eastern Conference with 10 games remaining.

Two big reasons for their turnaround has been the continued solid play of Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal. Malkin tied a career high on Tuesday night with five points and became the first player this season to record 100 points. For the season, Malkin now has 32 goals and 70 assists for a league high 102 points.

Meanwhile, Jordan Staal picked up his 20th goal of the season against Atlanta on Tuesday night and has been playing his best hockey of season. He now has nine points in his last 10 games by scoring five goals and picking up four assists.

Both Malkin and Staal will continue the Pens six game homestand on Friday when they host the Los Angeles Kings.

Posted By: Luke Ventura