Larmi Ditches the Dark Pads, Has Bright Future (PHN+)

Pittsburgh Penguins prospect goalie Emil Larmi is already a champion. Last season, he lifted the Finnish Elite League championship before signing a free-agent deal with the Penguins. He’s fast. His ever-present smile in the locker room belies cat-quick reflexes and a chance to be an NHL goalie.

But in the most disappointing development of the Prospects Challenge thus far, he ditched the very cool all-black pads in favor of dual-colored yellow and white pillows. They’re OK, I suppose. But the intimidating Darth Vader (or Doug McKenzie) look is gone.

They may have been old hat to Larmi, but they were new to North America in the Penguins June rookie camp as he proudly showed them off, including the subtle red stitching to a few reporters including Pittsburgh Hockey Now.

“I went the whole year with those black pads. I just wanted something new,” he laughed.