Interesting Read on NHL.com

[the iceman 132]

Interesting read:

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&pa...rticleid=280809

[srv2miker 0]

I thought more guys used a toe curve like Kovalchuk, Naslund etc., but then I'm no expert. Prospal has that crazy "broken toe" curve.

[BK 0]

Good read

[--notorious 0]

I dont think the 1/4 increase will make a difference because people use illegal curves anyway.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

But now they can use them at any time and not have to be scared to get caught.

When will we see lots of retail blades coming out with more curve?

I think some will argue that teaching kids to play with more curve will hurt their overall skills in the long run.

[tom ehrhardt49 0]

I really dont think that the curve on one's stick should really make much of difference in overall skill development...nor do I see the reason for a regulation curve anyway, what are they protecting players from by creating a curve restriction?

[jasper 0]

I thought more guys used a toe curve like Kovalchuk, Naslund etc., but then I'm no expert. Prospal has that crazy "broken toe" curve.

i wonder if he found that curve the same way mikita did.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

Well if you've got a huge curve, kids are probobly less likely to devlop skills using their backhand to pass, shoot, etc. cause its so much harder.

I think the whole protecting players thing is because with more curve players can lift the puck faster, its harder to read where the puck is going to go off the blade face, or the puck is just more prone to shooting off in a crazy direction at times..

[Chadd 916]

Well if you've got a huge curve, kids are probobly less likely to devlop skills using their backhand to pass, shoot, etc. cause its so much harder.

I think the whole protecting players thing is because with more curve players can lift the puck faster, its harder to read where the puck is going to go off the blade face, or the puck is just more prone to shooting off in a crazy direction at times..

A couple guys got hit up high while they were in front of the net. Bigger curves make it more likely that shots from the point will elevate and hit players in the face or head.

[gman 0]

Why not go the complete opposite direction? Make everyone play with flat blades. I wonder how the game would change???

[TBLfan 25]

the nhl wants more scoring, not less.

[gman 0]

Understandably. But it would sure seem to make enforcement easier...

[DarkStar50 680]

When I was a kid, we used to take our Northland Custom Pro sticks, turn on the burner on top of the gas stove, heat up the blade, and make those same Hull banana curves to play with by jamming and bending them under the door. In the late 70s/early 80s Victoriaville also had a great 21 ply laminate wood stick with a huge curve at retail. Those Vic curves made a Coffey curve look like nothing. The 21 ply laminate shaft had great flex, too. Koho 221 woodies also had some huge banana curves back then, too. Today's OPS blades don't allow you to mess with the curve at all. The good old wood blade was fun to screw around with over an open flame.

[The Stranger 0]

Hull played with up to a one-and-a-half inch curve on his stick.

my shanahan is not looking so extreme now...

[opus22 0]

i cant get the common nhl pattern link to work. anyone else having trouble?

[TBLfan 25]

[SickLife 2]

i got stuck playing defense for a few games during a tourney last weekend. i use a smyth curve. the only other stick i had with me was an yzerman. needless to say, i hit my own player in the chest a few times with a wrister from the point.

[kovalchuk71 212]

you give that sucker a shot?

[ktang 34]

Hull played with up to a one-and-a-half inch curve on his stick.

my shanahan is not looking so extreme now...

Theoretically, that puts the puck's centre of gravity in line with the centre of the shaft (the puck's radius is 1-1/2"), so that should maximize the shot speed.

[TBLfan 25]

^^ lol, nope... Actually, it's a picture of a curve that was similar to what hull used(or at least that's what i read about the pic).

[Hidious 0]

I wish i could experiment all kinds of curves in a short amount of time. I feel like i'm using a popular curve and that i'm not sure if it's the best one for me.