Do You Need the New CCM Vision Skates for More Stability?

First, let me say that I think the new CCM Vision skates are an exciting idea. I appreciate companies that are willing to push the boundaries of skate design and try something different. Innovation is good for hockey.

One of the features CCM highlights is the use of longer holders. Their claim is that the additional steel provides increased stability on the ice.

That part is true.

A longer holder can provide more stability and a larger contact patch with the ice. But the bigger question is this:

Do you need a $1,200 pair of skates just to gain a few extra millimeters of steel?

My answer is no.

If several features of the Vision skates appeal to you, then by all means enjoy them. But if your goal is simply increased stability, there are easier and far less expensive ways to achieve it.

Longer Holders Aren't New

Many people point to NHL players using oversized holders as proof that longer is better. I was curious whether that claim was actually true, so I started collecting data from game-used and pro stock skates.

At the time of writing, I have examined 13 skate setups from elite NHL players and recorded their boot sizes, holder sizes, and profile information where available.

What surprised me was that there wasn't one clear trend.

Some players used oversized holders, while others used the factory-matched holder. The split was nearly even.

That alone tells us something important:

There is no magic holder size that creates elite skating.

A Possible Pattern

While studying the data, I noticed something interesting.

Many of the oversized holder examples involved players wearing custom quarter-size boots. Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, and Cale Makar all appear to fall into that category.

My theory is that equipment managers often choose the next holder size up when a player falls between standard sizing options.

For example, if a player wears an 8¾ boot, the equipment staff may simply choose the larger holder rather than risk making the skate feel too short.

That extra length provides a little more stability, but I don't believe the holder itself is the reason these players skate so well.

Of course, this is only a theory. As I collect more examples, I'll continue updating the data to see whether the pattern holds.

Elite Players Use Both Approaches

Some of the NHL's best skaters use oversized holders.

Others don't.

Current examples in my database include players such as Mitch Marner, Jack Eichel, Miro Heiskanen, Roope Hintz, and current-day Evgeni Malkin using standard holder sizing.

Meanwhile, players such as Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, and William Nylander have examples showing oversized holders.

The takeaway is simple:

Elite skating exists on both sides of the debate.

You Don't Need New Skates to Gain Stability

If additional stability is what you're after, changing your profile may accomplish the same goal.

Increasing the flat section of a profile or choosing a profile that provides more blade contact can create noticeable improvements without buying new skates.

Personally, I prefer a 30-60 profile similar to Sidney Crosby's setup because I enjoy the added stability and can clearly feel the transitions throughout the profile.

Nathan MacKinnon is known to use a 35-65 profile, while Connor McDavid's exact profile remains unknown. There has been speculation over the years, but no confirmed information is publicly available.

The important point is that no profile, holder size, or hollow will suddenly make someone skate like Connor McDavid.

The setup should support your skating—not replace good skating mechanics.

Interesting Exceptions

Research always produces surprises.

One of the more unusual examples I found was Quinn Hughes, who appears to wear a custom 7⅓ boot paired with a larger 272 holder. Another was an older pair of Evgeni Malkin skates that used an oversized holder, while his current setup uses the standard holder.

These exceptions are part of what makes skate setups so interesting. Every player has preferences, and not every decision follows a simple rule.

How I Collected the Data

Most of this information came from game-used skates, pro return skates, and auction listings.

Some examples clearly listed the holder size. Others required a little detective work. In a few cases, I used high-resolution auction photos and adjusted the images in Photoshop to reveal markings that were difficult to read.

As I continue adding players to the database, I expect the picture to become even clearer.

Final Thoughts

The CCM Vision skates are an innovative product, and I applaud CCM for trying something new.

But if you're considering them solely because of the longer holder, remember that a few extra millimeters of steel are only one variable in a much larger equation.

Some of the best skaters in the world use oversized holders.

Some don't.

The best setup is the one that complements your skating style, gives you confidence, and allows you to enjoy the game.