Shooting with wood VS composite

[Reaper 0]

except tapered wood blades are a bitch to find in the drury pattern unless you go custom :(

Try the Bauer 7500 blade in the P91 pattern. Almost identical curve.

[echi24 1]

thanks. ill keep a lookout, i have a 7500 gagne in my novius right now but its pretty cracked and i didnt enjoy the curve. hopefully i can find the p91 pattern around, all ive seen is gagne and lindros

[Shagel 0]

Al Iafraty im pritty shure holds the record for slapshot speed with 106.7

[Langenbrunner15 0]

Are there any tapered wood blades except for those eastons? Or should i just flip my stick and go with a standard?

[Ranger-#8 1]

I heard for clocking slap shots all the pros try to keep the puck just over the ice. Like because they lose speed if the climb is that tru?

[tyler9 0]

Are there any tapered wood blades except for those eastons? Or should i just flip my stick and go with a standard?

Theres the TPS R2 which i liked quite a bit.

[beaucoup_fish 0]

I think for real high level players the OPS will make a difference, but for a recreational player like me... don't think it makes a bit of difference.

Ogie, I remember the "old age insurance" quote as well. I remember paying real close attention to MacInnis b/c I had always thought that he'd be the last guy ever to switch over. I'm glad he eventually went back to using woodies.

Anyone know if Palffy and Selanne are still using wood? I know that Teemu has flip flopped a couple times...And I've read around this board that Naslund is back on wood (the pictures certainly look like it), any truth to this?

As for benefit, I don't believe that even high level players benefit all that much. It's an ongoing argument and I've been in the thick of it before, but I still don't see shitty players becoming 50 goal scorers with an OPS, and I don't see guys like Sakic scoring gobs more goals since switching, since his best offensive totals came when he was using a 2 piece. That being said, I do notice a difference b/w the stiffness of wood blades and composite blades, and I do prefer the composite's stiffness. However, I still maintain that nothing feels like woodies.

I actually think that a lot of NHLers go with OPS or 2 pieces b/c the consistency is better...

[Chadd 916]

except tapered wood blades are a bitch to find in the drury pattern unless you go custom :(

It looks like there's enough demand here, I may have to start stocking some.

[Langenbrunner15 0]

Are there any tapered wood blades except for those eastons? Or should i just flip my stick and go with a standard?

Theres the TPS R2 which i liked quite a bit.

But i dont really like ther curves, maybe ill go custom. I'll have to look into it since my stealth blade isabout to break.

[twiztidwrista10 3]

I think for real high level players the OPS will make a difference, but for a recreational player like me... don't think it makes a bit of difference.

Ogie, I remember the "old age insurance" quote as well. I remember paying real close attention to MacInnis b/c I had always thought that he'd be the last guy ever to switch over. I'm glad he eventually went back to using woodies.

Anyone know if Palffy and Selanne are still using wood? I know that Teemu has flip flopped a couple times...And I've read around this board that Naslund is back on wood (the pictures certainly look like it), any truth to this?

As for benefit, I don't believe that even high level players benefit all that much. It's an ongoing argument and I've been in the thick of it before, but I still don't see shitty players becoming 50 goal scorers with an OPS, and I don't see guys like Sakic scoring gobs more goals since switching, since his best offensive totals came when he was using a 2 piece. That being said, I do notice a difference b/w the stiffness of wood blades and composite blades, and I do prefer the composite's stiffness. However, I still maintain that nothing feels like woodies.

I actually think that a lot of NHLers go with OPS or 2 pieces b/c the consistency is better...

Actually I think Sakic had a 50+ goal season in 00 or 01 with one of the 1st synergys. Unless he did better than that in previous years then your wrong bud.

[Neo5370 132]

It wasn't due to the one piece, it was due him changing flex.

I remember reading either an interview or an article saying he switched to about an 85 flex and he could get more snap on his wristers.

He was using Tflexes w/ comp blades, and Tflexes w/ wood blades prior to the synergy so the low kick and eventually comp blade technology was there.

[beaucoup_fish 0]

I think for real high level players the OPS will make a difference, but for a recreational player like me... don't think it makes a bit of difference.

Ogie, I remember the "old age insurance" quote as well. I remember paying real close attention to MacInnis b/c I had always thought that he'd be the last guy ever to switch over. I'm glad he eventually went back to using woodies.

Anyone know if Palffy and Selanne are still using wood? I know that Teemu has flip flopped a couple times...And I've read around this board that Naslund is back on wood (the pictures certainly look like it), any truth to this?

As for benefit, I don't believe that even high level players benefit all that much. It's an ongoing argument and I've been in the thick of it before, but I still don't see shitty players becoming 50 goal scorers with an OPS, and I don't see guys like Sakic scoring gobs more goals since switching, since his best offensive totals came when he was using a 2 piece. That being said, I do notice a difference b/w the stiffness of wood blades and composite blades, and I do prefer the composite's stiffness. However, I still maintain that nothing feels like woodies.

I actually think that a lot of NHLers go with OPS or 2 pieces b/c the consistency is better...

Actually I think Sakic had a 50+ goal season in 00 or 01 with one of the 1st synergys. Unless he did better than that in previous years then your wrong bud.

I'm not sure if he was using a synergy in 2000-01, I believe that was too early...it was very likely a T-Flex. If he was indeed using a Synergy, that was his best goal output ever at 54. However, back in the T-Flex days, he put up 51 in the Mid-90s, and 3 goals does not = gobs more.

Or even better, howabout in 90/91 and 92/93 when he potted 48 each season? He was using either wood or Aluminum back then, and my guess is that he was using wood. Check out the old hockey cards if you've (or anyone) has got some lying around...I'm outta the country at the moment.

[twiztidwrista10 3]

I think for real high level players the OPS will make a difference, but for a recreational player like me... don't think it makes a bit of difference.

Ogie, I remember the "old age insurance" quote as well. I remember paying real close attention to MacInnis b/c I had always thought that he'd be the last guy ever to switch over. I'm glad he eventually went back to using woodies.

Anyone know if Palffy and Selanne are still using wood? I know that Teemu has flip flopped a couple times...And I've read around this board that Naslund is back on wood (the pictures certainly look like it), any truth to this?

As for benefit, I don't believe that even high level players benefit all that much. It's an ongoing argument and I've been in the thick of it before, but I still don't see shitty players becoming 50 goal scorers with an OPS, and I don't see guys like Sakic scoring gobs more goals since switching, since his best offensive totals came when he was using a 2 piece. That being said, I do notice a difference b/w the stiffness of wood blades and composite blades, and I do prefer the composite's stiffness. However, I still maintain that nothing feels like woodies.

I actually think that a lot of NHLers go with OPS or 2 pieces b/c the consistency is better...

Actually I think Sakic had a 50+ goal season in 00 or 01 with one of the 1st synergys. Unless he did better than that in previous years then your wrong bud.

I'm not sure if he was using a synergy in 2000-01, I believe that was too early...it was very likely a T-Flex. If he was indeed using a Synergy, that was his best goal output ever at 54. However, back in the T-Flex days, he put up 51 in the Mid-90s, and 3 goals does not = gobs more.

Or even better, howabout in 90/91 and 92/93 when he potted 48 each season? He was using either wood or Aluminum back then, and my guess is that he was using wood. Check out the old hockey cards if you've (or anyone) has got some lying around...I'm outta the country at the moment.

Im just saying his best goal scoring season, he was using a ops. Im pretty sure he was using a synergy at least 1/2 the year if not all of it.

[Reaper 0]

Are there any tapered wood blades except for those eastons? Or should i just flip my stick and go with a standard?

Theres the TPS R2 which i liked quite a bit.

But i dont really like ther curves, maybe ill go custom. I'll have to look into it since my stealth blade isabout to break.

Try Bauer 7500 blades. They're wood and tapered.

[beaucoup_fish 0]

I think for real high level players the OPS will make a difference, but for a recreational player like me... don't think it makes a bit of difference.

Ogie, I remember the "old age insurance" quote as well. I remember paying real close attention to MacInnis b/c I had always thought that he'd be the last guy ever to switch over. I'm glad he eventually went back to using woodies.

Anyone know if Palffy and Selanne are still using wood? I know that Teemu has flip flopped a couple times...And I've read around this board that Naslund is back on wood (the pictures certainly look like it), any truth to this?

As for benefit, I don't believe that even high level players benefit all that much. It's an ongoing argument and I've been in the thick of it before, but I still don't see shitty players becoming 50 goal scorers with an OPS, and I don't see guys like Sakic scoring gobs more goals since switching, since his best offensive totals came when he was using a 2 piece. That being said, I do notice a difference b/w the stiffness of wood blades and composite blades, and I do prefer the composite's stiffness. However, I still maintain that nothing feels like woodies.

I actually think that a lot of NHLers go with OPS or 2 pieces b/c the consistency is better...

Actually I think Sakic had a 50+ goal season in 00 or 01 with one of the 1st synergys. Unless he did better than that in previous years then your wrong bud.

I'm not sure if he was using a synergy in 2000-01, I believe that was too early...it was very likely a T-Flex. If he was indeed using a Synergy, that was his best goal output ever at 54. However, back in the T-Flex days, he put up 51 in the Mid-90s, and 3 goals does not = gobs more.

Or even better, howabout in 90/91 and 92/93 when he potted 48 each season? He was using either wood or Aluminum back then, and my guess is that he was using wood. Check out the old hockey cards if you've (or anyone) has got some lying around...I'm outta the country at the moment.

Im just saying his best goal scoring season, he was using a ops. Im pretty sure he was using a synergy at least 1/2 the year if not all of it.

Yeah, I know you are, and that's cool. I'm just saying that the OPS doesn't really make a difference - a 3 goal improvement is not conclusive evidence that an OPS' makes any difference at all. Now, if he was using wood/2 piece, and then switched to OPS and started scoring 60 goals per season, every season, then I'd say it probably makes a difference...that or they opened up the NHL (like this year!).

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Al Iafraty im pritty shure holds the record for slapshot speed with 106.7

Iafrate hit 105.2. It is still the NHL record.

When I spoke to him, he confirmed my theory about puck release/lag and I didn't even tell him it. He says he shoots harder with wood over graphite.

[Cheechoo 0]

except tapered wood blades are a bitch to find in the drury pattern unless you go custom :(

It looks like there's enough demand here, I may have to start stocking some.

Yeah, you should!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nazzy19 0]

so you guys think it is the blade that makes the difference? or the shaft?

I know you cant beat the feel of the wood, but i just cant seem to get the slapper off because the wood feels like it gives too much.

[NuggyBuggy 0]

I'm just saying that the OPS doesn't really make a difference - a 3 goal improvement is not conclusive evidence that an OPS' makes any difference at all.

You are right that these stats do not say anything definitive about the wood v. comp debate, either way, which means that you also cannot conclude that the OPS does or does not make a difference. We will never know whether he would have scored more goals had he played with a comp stick in his earlier years. Maybe he "only" scored 3 goals more than 51 because he was older.

Barring a real experiment, I think we have to use the players' choices as the best indicators of what works at that level and what doesn't. If most NHLers thought wood sticks would be better for them, they'd use them. The fact that the overwhelming majority of them seem to use composites seems to suggest that most of them think that they are better - but by how much, who knows. All that is clear is that the difference is large enough for them to overwhelmingly choose composite.

[roadrunner 12]

I'm just saying that the OPS doesn't really make a difference - a 3 goal improvement is not conclusive evidence that an OPS' makes any difference at all.

You are right that these stats do not say anything definitive about the wood v. comp debate, either way, which means that you also cannot conclude that the OPS does or does not make a difference. We will never know whether he would have scored more goals had he played with a comp stick in his earlier years. Maybe he "only" scored 3 goals more than 51 because he was older.

Barring a real experiment, I think we have to use the players' choices as the best indicators of what works at that level and what doesn't. If most NHLers thought wood sticks would be better for them, they'd use them. The fact that the overwhelming majority of them seem to use composites seems to suggest that most of them think that they are better - but by how much, who knows. All that is clear is that the difference is large enough for them to overwhelmingly choose composite.

We shouldn't use NHL players as indicating factors because there are a number of different factors why one might use a particular stick. ie, sponsership. They can be painted over different sticks ie. Brett Hull, Tom Potti, Markus Naslund to name a few. Don't forget that mostl people prefer novelty.

I think, like mentioned many times before, its the consistency factor that draw many pro's in, and als on the difference in weight.

The best way to find out for youself is by trial and error. You shouldn't do it because someone else is. Just cause Sakic scores 51 with a Synergy doesn't it will improve your goal totals.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Barring a real experiment, I think we have to use the players' choices as the best indicators of what works at that level and what doesn't. If most NHLers thought wood sticks would be better for them, they'd use them. The fact that the overwhelming majority of them seem to use composites seems to suggest that most of them think that they are better - but by how much, who knows. All that is clear is that the difference is large enough for them to overwhelmingly choose composite.

Faster puck release, weight and convenience is why they use it.

[beaucoup_fish 0]

I'm just saying that the OPS doesn't really make a difference - a 3 goal improvement is not conclusive evidence that an OPS' makes any difference at all.

You are right that these stats do not say anything definitive about the wood v. comp debate, either way, which means that you also cannot conclude that the OPS does or does not make a difference. We will never know whether he would have scored more goals had he played with a comp stick in his earlier years. Maybe he "only" scored 3 goals more than 51 because he was older.

Barring a real experiment, I think we have to use the players' choices as the best indicators of what works at that level and what doesn't. If most NHLers thought wood sticks would be better for them, they'd use them. The fact that the overwhelming majority of them seem to use composites seems to suggest that most of them think that they are better - but by how much, who knows. All that is clear is that the difference is large enough for them to overwhelmingly choose composite.

We shouldn't use NHL players as indicating factors because there are a number of different factors why one might use a particular stick. ie, sponsership. They can be painted over different sticks ie. Brett Hull, Tom Potti, Markus Naslund to name a few. Don't forget that mostl people prefer novelty.

I think, like mentioned many times before, its the consistency factor that draw many pro's in, and als on the difference in weight.

The best way to find out for youself is by trial and error. You shouldn't do it because someone else is. Just cause Sakic scores 51 with a Synergy doesn't it will improve your goal totals.

I agree that consistency is a large part of it (which I think I mentioned in one of my earlier posts). Teemu and Kariya have both indicated this as one of the reasons for their switches (Teemu eventually settled back on wood).

And as for why the large majority of NHLers have chosen to use an OPS now? Aside from the consistency factor, I think it's psychological. It's particularly evident on certain teams - Toronto, Colorado and Detroit for example. Each of these teams' superstars were the first to adopt the new technology (as is always the case, since these are the most desirable endorsers for your co.), and every one else followed - Sundin with TPS, then Domi, Tucker and everyone else. Sakic and Forsberg with Synergies, then Hejduk, then everyone else. Yzerman with Synergy, Fedorov with Inno, then everyone else.

I do believe that the numbers tell the story, and that an experiment isn't even necessary to deem that they don't make much difference. Besides, the point of an experiment is to produce usable quantitative data to show correlation, and what better experiment than that of day to day NHL play?

[McCabe24 0]

Wasn't the first NHLer to play with a Synergy Deron Quint?

I remember reading his name somewhere, definately was the first for something in regards to the Synergy, either first to use it like I said or the first to score a goal with it.

[beaucoup_fish 0]

Wasn't the first NHLer to play with a Synergy Deron Quint?

I remember reading his name somewhere, definately was the first for something in regards to the Synergy, either first to use it like I said or the first to score a goal with it.

Could've been, I haven't a clue...but most early adopters of such technologies are star players.

[McCabe24 0]

To a certain extent, some are stuck on their current gear and are more picky based on what they have performed best with. A fourth liner might actually be more inclined to try that new cutting edge product in an attempt to gain that extra edge, getting the product to them is another story.