Top scorer's curves...

[Xi Retlah iX 0]

Out of curiosity, has anyone looked up the curves of top scorers/great players? Im just wondering if theres any type of connection between like, Ovies curve, Lecav's, gretz.. u get the idea.

btw I'm not looking for a curve to make me score more goals. :P i live n breath Drury, i just thought it'd be interesting to see if theres a pattern..

[DCott 0]

lotta toe curves

[Hidious 0]

Im just wondering if theres any type of connection between like, Ovies curve, Lecav's, gretz.. u get the idea.

From what i've seen, there isn't.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

I'd say no.

Kovalchuk big toe

Crosby next to nothing

etc

[strosedefence34 175]

I think they are just good hockey players and thats why they score goals. I think you could give them a stick from the 1920's and they probably could put up just as many goals.

[TBLfan 25]

Ovechkin - mid curve wish some toe

Lecavalier - Big heel curve

Gretzky - nearly flat blade

Crosby - nearly flat

Kovalchuk - small heel, curve gets big in toe.

Well that covers the names already mentioned.

[heatley015 0]

Funny how Crosby and Gretzky both have small curves, both good playmakers, but i'd say just a coincidence because Spezza is a good playmaker as well, and he uses a big toe curve.

[camhockey16 5]

i think most of the russian superstars all use borderline illegal curves - with the exception of datsyuk and kovalev.

malkin

ovechkin

kovalchuk

[li7039 0]

Jagr

[-brady2 0]

i think most of the russian superstars all use borderline illegal curves - with the exception of datsyuk and kovalev.

malkin

ovechkin

kovalchuk

semin uses a hook too.

[thegongshow13 0]

i think most of the russian superstars all use borderline illegal curves - with the exception of datsyuk and kovalev.

malkin

ovechkin

kovalchuk

semin uses a hook too.

thats what she said.

[-brady2 0]

wow, that was pathetic.

[chippa13 1844]

Funny how Crosby and Gretzky both have small curves, both good playmakers, but i'd say just a coincidence because Spezza is a good playmaker as well, and he uses a big toe curve.

Thornton has also converted to a much flatter blade the last few years. Modano took a lot of curve out of his blade years ago to help with faceoffs.

[top_shelf_24 0]

i think most of the russian superstars all use borderline illegal curves

Jagr

actually czech republic

[hamstercaster 2]

If the curves had anything to do with it, all the players in the NHL would play with the same curve pattern..

[odp 0]

One way to look at things, although may not be very PC - there's got to be a reason why they have a limit to the depth of curves and size of equipment, etc...

[Super Star 0]

the limit on the curve is because with a very curved stick a slap shot flutters unpredictably so in the days when no rules about the curve existed players would just skate over the blue line and let it rip hoping that goalie will be unable to pick it up and it worked.

+ those shots were usually high so goalies where also afraid of being hit in the head (in those days masks were not very protective)

[habookus 1]

Good stickhandler's tend to go for mid/toe curves, and pure shooters usually choose heel curves. Although it's not the case for all players i.e. Lecavalier is a great stickhandler who uses a Lidstrom curve, and Kovalchuk and Ovechkin are great shooters using mid-toe curves, that's generally how it is. Heel curves are proven to give you a harder shot, and mid curves give you the added puck control.

[TBLfan 25]

Think it has more to do with where you started playing. Toe hooks are normally a euro thing. Heel is canadian. Mid is pretty much random but probably a little more euro.

[Chadd 916]

Good stickhandler's tend to go for mid/toe curves, and pure shooters usually choose heel curves. Although it's not the case for all players i.e. Lecavalier is a great stickhandler who uses a Lidstrom curve, and Kovalchuk and Ovechkin are great shooters using mid-toe curves, that's generally how it is. Heel curves are proven to give you a harder shot, and mid curves give you the added puck control.

WTF?

No curve gives you more power than any other. In fact, different curves requires different shoting techniques in order to get maximum velocity out of them. You even contradict yourself by saying pure shooters use heels and then point out that Ovechkin uses a mid-toe. If AO isn't a "pure shooter" then there aren't any on the NHL.

[habookus 1]

I think WhiskeyTango got it. And I also believe that heel curves do give you a slight advantage in shot velocity, mostly slap shots. Have you ever seen Macinnis' or Souray's curves, both huge heels.

[Chadd 916]

I think WhiskeyTango got it. And I also believe that heel curves do give you a slight advantage in shot velocity, mostly slap shots. Have you ever seen Macinnis' or Souray's curves, both huge heels.

The vast majority of NHL players use heel curves, even the ones that can't shoot. Those guys could launch rockets with Gordie's sticks or with Jagr's, it has zip to do with the curve.

[habookus 1]

I'm implying that in general a mid curve will give you more control than a heel hook would, and that heel curves do give you a slight shot velocity increase due to its increased sweet spot. There are certain individuals whose sole job in the NHL is to find players better curves to suite their games. Case and point, Zach Parise hired some guy who constructed him a perfect shooting blade to match his style of play. He uses a complete heel hook. Again I'm not saying that if you have a heel curve you can't stickhandle, or if you use a mid/toe you can't shoot, I'm simply saying that each curve has its own advantages/disadvantages.

[adam14 182]

chadd is right, its not about the curve, it doesnt effect your shooting. look at guys like ovechkin, he uses a toe curve, why? because when he carries the puck he has it on his toe most of the time, and he uses that small toe curve for his wrist shots, thats where he gets his quick release. guys with heel curves are mainly the ones that carry the puck on their heel, thats what gives them the quick release, and allows them to get it up quicker. they construct their curves around the way they play, they dont adapt their playing style to the curve they use.

[TBLfan 25]

ovechkin uses a heel curve with the majority of the curve in the mid-toe. Similar to the retail sakic, on steroids.