For the last three seasons forward Gustav Nyquist has been using some new technology with his skates. He’s continued to use it as he’s made his transition to the Nashville Predators this season.
Through 38 games he has 29 points and is now one goal away from reaching double-digits for the 10th time in his career.
Nyquist has been utilizing a new version of a skateblade holder that was created by Marsblade. The blade has a pitch angle that is between the skater’s foot and the ice which allows players to move as efficiently as possible.
Per Mårs is the founder and inventor of the Marsblade and Flow Motion Technology. He introduced the new technology to the world of hockey in 2011.
“I thought it was an interesting thing and it’s been around a long time,” Nyquist said. “Three years ago they came out with their new one that they developed and now you can switch steel on it easier.”
Nyquist mentioned how the blade itself moves in the holder while he’s on the ice. It’s been a help for him when making aggressive movements and now he can’t go back to the traditional blade holder whatsoever.
Marsblade is now all-around professional hockey as it’s being represented in the NHL, AHL, OHL, WHL, SHL, and DEL.
According to Marsblade’s website players such as; Brandon Carlo (Boston Bruins), Jack Drury (Carolina Hurricanes), Mikael Backlund (Calgary Flames), Oliver Bonk (Canada WJC-24, London Knights), Gustav Nyquist (Nashville Predators), Connor Murphy (Chicago Blackhawks), Mackenzie Entwistle (Chicago Blackhawks), Kevin Stenlund (Florida Panthers), Markus Sylvegård (SHL), and Andreas Thuresson (DEL) are using the new style of blade holder.
Forward Navrin Mutter who has gone from Nashville’s AHL affiliate Milwaukee Admirals to the Atlanta Gladiators this season in the ECHL also uses the new blade.
“The concept is they move a little bit so there’s more blade on the ice at all times,” Nyquist said. “In studies, it’s shown to give you more speed out of turns, straight ahead, and everywhere on the ice.”
Photo of the new blade holder courtesy of Marsblade.
Nyquist finds himself more balanced on the ice and feels comfortable in making his turns. With more contact from the blade staying on the ice Nyquist has experienced speed as the biggest benefit from using the blade holder.
“The challenge is to get guys in the NHL to try them because they don’t want to change anything like that,” Nyquist. “Summers are big for trying something new so that’s how I got on it.”
Former NHL defenseman Niklas Kronwall used the blades – a fellow Swedish countryman – then Nyquist saw more professional players using the blades.
On the flipside head coach Andrew Brunette has been pleasantly surprised by a few players this season with Nyquist being one that’s impressed. Nyquist was able to learn from seasoned veterans when his career began with the Detriot Red Wings in 2011.
“I was fortunate to come up in an organization with a lot of older veterans that had won the Stanley Cup before and done it all,” Nyquist said. “One thing that stood out with them was how they brought consistency every game. It was very rare they had a game off and managed to be consistent. I’ve been very fortunate to be around great leaders throughout the years.”
Now Nyquist is a player who is on the other side of things where he can be that veteran for a younger player to go to. His preference is to be a role player and stick to what he’s best at while being intentional with his teammates.
“I wouldn’t say I’m a guy that goes up to a young guy and tells him what to do,” Nyquist said. “It’s more of a voice of reason if they have anything they can come to me with questions, more of that style. It’s a great group that wants to learn and on a path to be good players”
If the Swede keeps at his current pace this season he’ll reach 19 goals and potentially 60+ points while also being a reliable voice to developing players on the roster this season.
For more information on Marsblade click here.
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Photos courtesy of Nashville Predators
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