Why don't more NHLers use wood blades?

[OldNSlow 3]

Maybe this topic shows my ignorance, but why don't more NHLers use wood blades? Pro players don't have to worry about the blade going soft since they have endless supply. That is the only major disadvantage of wood that I know of. It seems to me that a composite shaft with a wood blade gives you the benefits of composite flex and energy transfer, and the benefits of the feel of wood. Modern wood blades are as light as composite blades, and a new wood blade is just as stiff as well. I know composites are more consistent but if an NHLer can chuck a bad wood blade and get another as any time.

Of course, having NHLers use one piece composites allows companies to sell $200 sticks to hockey kids around the world. But, this can't be the answer.

[Chadd 916]

1. they're inconsistent

2. they lose stiffness after just a shot or two

3. it's more work

4. Most shafts don't perform as well as the shafts in OPS

And you only get all the benefits of the composite technology if you use a tapered shaft. Standard shafts do not perform as well as tapered shafts.

[selke71 0]

Also: can I be the only person who prefers the feel of composite to wood?

[OldNSlow 3]

And you only get all the benefits of the composite technology if you use a tapered shaft. Standard shafts do not perform as well as tapered shafts.

Thanks Chadd. I trust that what you are saying is correct, but could you point me in the direction of research on the performance of OPS versus standard shafts? I'm doing some basic research on sticks.

[Chadd 916]

Also: can I be the only person who prefers the feel of composite to wood?

Most likely, yes. The only other people I've ever heard that from are kids who never used a good wood blade/stick.

And you only get all the benefits of the composite technology if you use a tapered shaft. Standard shafts do not perform as well as tapered shafts.

Thanks Chadd. I trust that what you are saying is correct, but could you point me in the direction of research on the performance of OPS versus standard shafts? I'm doing some basic research on sticks.

Mostly it's anecdotal, but tapered will give you more velocity on wrist & snap shots. For slappers, a new wood stick is still the best.

[HattrickSwayze 3]

Also: can I be the only person who prefers the feel of composite to wood?

I'm kind of the same way too. I've used full wood sticks and wood blades, and I just like the pop I get from my composite blades more. I do like how passes tend to stick to wood blades better, but I just look at it as using a composite blade makes you have a little softer hands. I really don't notice a huge difference in puck feel. Atleast not as drastic as some people make it out to be.

[epstud74 24]

Why are so many NHL 2 piece sticks in the standard configuration if tapered is better?

[Chadd 916]

Why are so many NHL 2 piece sticks in the standard configuration if tapered is better?

Why do some guys still use ICMs? They like what they like and don't want to change.

[epstud74 24]

I guess..a tapered OPS or shaft/blade combo seems to give me more kick in my snap shot, but my slappers are better with my standard wood/composite shaft combo

[Chadd 916]

I guess..a tapered OPS or shaft/blade combo seems to give me more kick in my snap shot, but my slappers are better with my standard wood/composite shaft combo

That's exactly what tapered sticks are designed to do. They aren't supposed to make your slappers harder, they make it easier/quicker to load your wrist and snap shots.

[myelinsheath 0]

Why are so many NHL 2 piece sticks in the standard configuration if tapered is better?

because those using tapered usually just stick with the OPS.

[Hawks76 0]

Maybe this topic shows my ignorance, but why don't more NHLers use wood blades? Pro players don't have to worry about the blade going soft since they have endless supply. That is the only major disadvantage of wood that I know of. It seems to me that a composite shaft with a wood blade gives you the benefits of composite flex and energy transfer, and the benefits of the feel of wood. Modern wood blades are as light as composite blades, and a new wood blade is just as stiff as well. I know composites are more consistent but if an NHLer can chuck a bad wood blade and get another as any time.

Of course, having NHLers use one piece composites allows companies to sell $200 sticks to hockey kids around the world. But, this can't be the answer.

Well there are lots of answers.

The surprising one is they do use wooden blades. A lot of guys use wooden blades, they're just painted to match the stick. Spezza, Crosby and lots of others do. Most of the guys that do are more stickhandler wrist shot type players. Because there is a big benefit to composite blades for snap and slapshots. Of course manufacturers trying to sell expensive one pieces don't broadcast this for obvious reasons. Its a very common practice for sticks to be painted to look like the current model if a player prefers and older model. In fact guys use pro stocks of all kinds, they get to choose the finish, kickpoint wall thickness and a bunch of other things. So even though a pro's stick may look like yours underneath the paint it can be completely different.

Just on a side note, composites aren't all that consistent either. On average they keep 3 or 4 of every 10 sticks they get sent. Its better than wood but still not great.

[15yearsofhistory 0]

For slappers, a new wood stick is still the best.

Count me out on that one...

[Megamandan 0]

I heard announcers talking on CBC the other day in the game with Ottawa and Pittsburgh about how Spezza was switching over to a composite stick in that game. Don Cherry had a bunch of clips showing Spezza not handling the puck well because of his trouble with the transition. Composite has the advantage of consistency but wood offers feel like no other.

[Jackal_17 0]

4. Most shafts don't perform as well as the shafts in OPS

Hello Chadd, can you please elaborate more on this? Are you saying the shaft of a one piece is better than a tapered shaft?

Thanks!

[Chadd 916]

4. Most shafts don't perform as well as the shafts in OPS

Hello Chadd, can you please elaborate more on this? Are you saying the shaft of a one piece is better than a tapered shaft?

Thanks!

Manufacturers crank out new OPS every year, many are improvements on previous models. Meanwhile the biggest update you get on a tapered shaft is a new coat of paint and a new name.

[Law Goalie 147]

Stupid question, then: would a cut (or pulled or rebarred) OPS offer the same incremental advantages over a tapered shaft? (assuming both were mated with a high-quality composite blade) Or is so much of the advantage of the OPS tied up in balance and fine tweaks that this kind of crude operation is likely to destroy?

[Chadd 916]

Stupid question, then: would a cut (or pulled or rebarred) OPS offer the same incremental advantages over a tapered shaft? (assuming both were mated with a high-quality composite blade) Or is so much of the advantage of the OPS tied up in balance and fine tweaks that this kind of crude operation is likely to destroy?

With the "true1" style construction you lose a lot of the taper in order to mate a blade to the shaft. One would have to assume that the performance would suffer to some degree. I'm just disappointed that the best stick (for me) is one that was originally release five or six years ago. You would think that the improvements in technology would have resulted in increased performance over that time frame.

[Law Goalie 147]

It's disappointing, I'll grant you - but my suspicion has been that the emphasis has not been on refinement in the sense of improvement to the final product, but in producing similar results at greater profit, and the XN10 materials were just too expensive on the red side of the ledger.

I will say that the few Montreal sticks I've tried with their nanotechnological improvements (both goalie and player) have genuinely felt like magic, which at least bodes well for Warrior's future, but they cost a bloody fortune.

[chippa13 1844]

I guess..a tapered OPS or shaft/blade combo seems to give me more kick in my snap shot, but my slappers are better with my standard wood/composite shaft combo

That's exactly what tapered sticks are designed to do. They aren't supposed to make your slappers harder, they make it easier/quicker to load your wrist and snap shots.

Exactly, and this is why Brodeur was lobbying against them. Guys are able to fire off snappers quicker which gives goalies less time to square up and react.

[OldNSlow 3]

Manufacturers crank out new OPS every year, many are improvements on previous models. Meanwhile the biggest update you get on a tapered shaft is a new coat of paint and a new name.

So, for example, is the OPS Dolomite "shaft" better than the Dolomite "plug-in shaft"?

[chippa13 1844]

Doubtful, Inno.....errrrrrr...........Warrior hasn't changed their shafts in quite some time.

[Chadd 916]

Manufacturers crank out new OPS every year, many are improvements on previous models. Meanwhile the biggest update you get on a tapered shaft is a new coat of paint and a new name.

So, for example, is the OPS Dolomite "shaft" better than the Dolomite "plug-in shaft"?

Obviously not. When they were still calling them the Inno 1100s they specifically stated that there was no difference between their fused OPS and combos. I was referring to manufacturers that release new designs.

[Hawks76 0]

I heard announcers talking on CBC the other day in the game with Ottawa and Pittsburgh about how Spezza was switching over to a composite stick in that game. Don Cherry had a bunch of clips showing Spezza not handling the puck well because of his trouble with the transition. Composite has the advantage of consistency but wood offers feel like no other.

That adds to the confusion..lol they said composite stick but just meant shaft. Heres an article from when he made the switch http://hockeystickexpert.com/spezza-sherwo...ckey-stick-rbk/

[raygunpk 0]

It's disappointing, I'll grant you - but my suspicion has been that the emphasis has not been on refinement in the sense of improvement to the final product, but in producing similar results at greater profit, and the XN10 materials were just too expensive on the red side of the ledger.

I will say that the few Montreal sticks I've tried with their nanotechnological improvements (both goalie and player) have genuinely felt like magic, which at least bodes well for Warrior's future, but they cost a bloody fortune.

When we see Warrior incorporate Montreal technology? 2010?