An observer would probably have a hard time noticing what is different about Pittsburgh Penguins forward Filip Hallander’s skates. After all, it’s just a tiny hint of blue showing just above his blades.
But that bit of color is an insert that represents a newer technology called Marsblade that carries the promise of becoming a widespread addition to hockey players’ skates at many levels of the sport, including the NHL.
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Hallander, who began experimenting with the Marsblade skate holder system over the summer and is continuing to do that in training camp, said, “It’s been good so far,” and he hopes to get more comfortable with the variations that work for him and use the technology more.
Here is Hallander showing his skate with the Marsblade blade system.
The only other player in Penguins camp who has been using the Marsblade technology is 18-year-old defenseman Quinn Beauchesne, a fifth-round draft pick in 2025 who on Thursday got assigned back to his junior team.
“I love them,” Beauchesne said. “I transitioned (to them) this summer. Just tried it out. The first time, I didn’t think much of it, and then I just kept trying them.”
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The idea, invented by Swedish hockey-player-turned-entrepreneur Per Mars, seems straightforward enough.
The Marsblade system, which includes the white blade holder that attaches to the bottom of a skate boot, the blade itself and the blue inserts used on top of the back of the blade, uses something called Flow Motion Technology.
The blue inserts – there are different gauges – provide a bit of cushioning that creates more rocker, or movement, making skates feel a little less rigid.
“More steel on the ice, so it optimizes the steel contact on the ice, so it helps you to stay more balanced, better glide, better power transfer, reduces the energy and so increases the efficiency,” said Mars, who was a third-round draft pick in 2001 by Columbus.
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A study by Brock University in Ontario backed up those claims, with high-level college players using the current Marsblade i2 seeing those benefits with no negative effects on their skating techniques.
Hallander for now is using an insert that only adds a bit extra rocker, but he can tell a difference from the standard rigid blade holders.
“You just get a feeling in the turns a little bit,” he said. “You feel like the steel, the blade, is more in touch with the ice all the time, so you get more ice every time so you can push more. It’s just a small detail, but it works good.”
Mars said a study by a Swedish university that is soon to be released is expected to verify “performance improvements in speed and acceleration.” He also said that some players have reported the Marsblade system aids in injury prevention.
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A breakthrough moment for Marsblade came when Niklas Kronwell used an earlier version in 2017 while later in his career with the Detroit Red Wings.
The current i2 version is being used by about 10 percent of OHL junior players, Mars said, along with some two dozen players at large college programs, at least that many AHL players and a smattering of NHL players.
Among those who are Marsblade customers are Cayden Lindstrom, taken fourth overall in the 2024 draft by Columbus, and Tom Willander, taken 11th overall in the 2023 draft by Vancouver.
Notice that the younger players are the ones who seem more willing to try Marsblade.
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Mars believes that’s how the technology will grow – with young players, who might be more willing to consider an equipment alteration, trying them, liking them and spreading that information by word of mouth.
Many established NHL players are reluctant to make changes in their equipment.
Penguins captain and megastar Sidney Crosby is famously on the fairly extreme end of that. He didn’t even start using a one-piece stick until after his first Stanley Cup win in 2009.
Still, Crosby used a Marsblade version of inline skates for off-ice training during the COVID-19 pandemic when indoor rinks were shuttered.
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Fellow Penguins core player Evgeni Malkin uses the Marsblade inline skates in the offseason. He posted a photo wearing them on Instagram:
Although the Marsblade skate holders can be used with any brand of ice skates, there can be a hurdle because many NHL players are brand-loyal or have equipment and endorsement deals.
The Marsblade system is patented in many countries, including Canada and the United States. If you watch “Shark Tank,” you know that entrepreneurs with cool technology often can form a partnership or licensing agreement with existing product manufacturers.
Mars is hoping that eventually that can be done with Marsblade and one or more of the popular hockey skate brands.
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“It’s hard work to get the players to choose our product,” Mars said. “But we have a great technology that we are confident will take over the hockey industry in time.”
You can see Mars explaining and demonstrating the Marsblade i2 in the video below.
The post Couple Penguins in Camp Using New Skate Technology Marsblade appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now.
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