Somewhere in between Bauer P88 and PM9?

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

I've been a P88 lindros/kane user for years. I love it for shooting, but I've found I can't really keep saucer passes flat with it.

After snapping my X60, I figured I'd see what else is out there and picked up an Easton Stealth RS based on recommendations and it has the Cammalleri curve, which on the Pattern DB is listed with the same specs of the Bauer PM9. What I like about the Cammalleri is that my passes in general are staying flatter and more controlled especially saucers, but I just feel like I can't put shots where I want them or pick corners.

I was curious if anyone has suggestions on which blade from Bauer would be a happy medium? I usually play defense and prefer wrist shots over slapshots. I like to keep shots close to the ice from the point and hope for a deflection or rebound. If and when I skate the puck in, I could and would pick corners with the p88. I'm guessing p89 or p91 would possibly be the closest thing I'm looking for, but I could be off so I'm looking for any feedback on them.

[Kyle Friedman 9]

The Bauer p12 curve could be just what you're looking for. Its very similar to the easton Iginla curve. Its a curve just in between a P88 and a Pm9, its only available retail through the My Bauer program though so you would have to purchase your stick off bauer's website.

I find myself in the same problem as you. I love the Pm9, and i like the p88. I would like a curve i can shoot a little better with than the pm9, but a little less curve than the p88. I found myself adjusting the best i could to the Pm9, and I am happy with it. My next stick will likely be a p12 or easton iginla curve though.

[Scotty 8]

I honestly don't think that either the p89 or p91 are anything close to what you're looking for. The p88 you've used is a mild/moderate mid curve with just a little loft and the PM9 is obviously a very gentle mid-heel curve with little to no loft at all. The p89 is going to be a mid curve again, but it's more of a wedge than either of the other two blades you've already used. The p91 is even more so, almost the perfect definition of a pure wedge with quite the open face. My guess is that if you had trouble controlling passes with the P88, you're going to have even more issues with both them and shooting with these other blades. Wedges are very popular curves, especially among the NHL players, but also very hard to get used to if you've never done it before and can't use a mild mid curve to your liking either.

My suggestion is either:

A) Learn to work on following through lower or snapping your wrists earlier in the passing motion with the P88. If saucer passes are your only trouble spot with the blade and you can otherwise stickhandle, shoot, and pick corners with it, by all means brush up a little on the saucers and stick with it. This is probably your best bet.

B) Work on your shooting with the PM9. This is the pattern I've used since it (basically) originated with Easton over a decade ago. You're likely not used to the fact that there is a slight bit less curve than the P88 and your shooting motion hasn't quite translated into the same velocity or accuracy. Stick with it. I experimented with some bigger curves in an attempt to gain velocity, and I certainly did, but everything else went to hell for me. So I switched back, kept at it, and can now fire rockets with the PM9 whether it be a slapshot, backhand (potential to be great with this curve), and especially my preferred wrist/snap shot.

[HockeySavants 5]

Not a happy medium by any means, but I'd go with the P14, why not lol

[Scotty 8]

Not a happy medium by any means, but I'd go with the P14, why not lol

A fairly aggressive mid-toe curve with fair amount of loft to it. Tremendous suggestion given his two original standards.

MyBoxersSayJoe, did you consider the fact that your shooting may also be a bit different because you switched from an X60 to an RS? That may have accounted for some of your troubles as well.

[wetwilly17 6]

i've used both p88 and pm9 a lot. not sure if this would apply to you since we all have our own shooting styles. but i find that with the pm9, i take much more of a snap style 'wrist' shot than with the p88 which i can snap or do more of a traditional sweeping wrister. its the only way i can shoot the pm9 hard but it works good for me.

[innotastic 12]

you can give the tps nash curve (post-2008) a shot. harrow has a clone and sherwood's plekanec is an exact clone. i forget which is bauer's equivalent (p29?)

it's described as a mid-heel. lie is about the same as the p88. has a bit of loft and not a ton of depth.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

A) Learn to work on following through lower or snapping your wrists earlier in the passing motion with the P88. If saucer passes are your only trouble spot with the blade and you can otherwise stickhandle, shoot, and pick corners with it, by all means brush up a little on the saucers and stick with it. This is probably your best bet.

B) Work on your shooting with the PM9. This is the pattern I've used since it (basically) originated with Easton over a decade ago. You're likely not used to the fact that there is a slight bit less curve than the P88 and your shooting motion hasn't quite translated into the same velocity or accuracy. Stick with it. I experimented with some bigger curves in an attempt to gain velocity, and I certainly did, but everything else went to hell for me. So I switched back, kept at it, and can now fire rockets with the PM9 whether it be a slapshot, backhand (potential to be great with this curve), and especially my preferred wrist/snap shot.

Ironically, my backhand, especially saucer pass on the backhand with the p88 was actually great. I've been with the Cammalleri for a little over a month now, I'll try snapping my wrists more.

MyBoxersSayJoe, did you consider the fact that your shooting may also be a bit different because you switched from an X60 to an RS? That may have accounted for some of your troubles as well.

I very well think this is also part of it. While the RS kicks VERY hard on slapshots, I feel like I've lost my wrist shot. I don't feel the puck on my blade with it and definitely don't have the confidence to keep my head up as much as a result. The stick feels very numb compared to my previous X60's. Unfortunately, the Mako wasn't on sale when my X60 snapped, so I couldn't give that a shot. When the RS bites the dust, I'll probably head to the APX or check out the Nexus line.

i've used both p88 and pm9 a lot. not sure if this would apply to you since we all have our own shooting styles. but i find that with the pm9, i take much more of a snap style 'wrist' shot than with the p88 which i can snap or do more of a traditional sweeping wrister. its the only way i can shoot the pm9 hard but it works good for me.

I've always been more of a sweeper. Very big on weight transfer, and turning the wrists over and pointing the toe at my target.

you can give the tps nash curve (post-2008) a shot. harrow has a clone and sherwood's plekanec is an exact clone. i forget which is bauer's equivalent (p29?)

I'll look in to it. I liked the balance of the Nexon12. Thanks for the suggestions. I guess something like the P88, but ever-so-slightly more open is what I'd be looking for?

[noodle3872 40]

I honestly don't think that either the p89 or p91 are anything close to what you're looking for. The p88 you've used is a mild/moderate mid curve with just a little loft and the PM9 is obviously a very gentle mid-heel curve with little to no loft at all. The p89 is going to be a mid curve again, but it's more of a wedge than either of the other two blades you've already used. The p91 is even more so, almost the perfect definition of a pure wedge with quite the open face.

I have to disagree, I find the P89 to be an almost perfect curve. I've been using the P89 for over a year now. In the past I used the PM9 and P92 which are polar opposites. Ages ago I used the P88. To me the P89 has more curve than the PM9, more open mid-curve the the P88 and a bit of a wedge for delicious saucer passes.

[cgrays12 0]

I use the PM9 (on a pro stock stick, so I didnt have the choice of curve) as well but grew up on the P88 (my original choice) and find that opening the blade ever so slightly works well for picking topcorners and sending the cross ice UFO saucers. It took about 1 ice time to get used to, and now its my favorite stick. SWD has a pp12 curve that is the same is the easton iginla that I have and used a little too but found there to be a little more lift in the pm9.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

I love the lift of the PM9, but just wish it had some more depth to it.

[Chadd 916]

I love the lift of the PM9, but just wish it had some more depth to it.

The Sherwood PP09 has a little more depth and a little more loft, as does the warrior Vanek.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

According to Bauer's Stick Product Manager, P12 would a good compromise for you.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

Thanks, JR. Looking in to it. Is it a pattern I'd have to order through myBauer? Is a 7 lie something I'd have to be concerned about considering I cut my stick down a fair amount already? (5'7")

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

I've checked most of the major online places and haven't seen the Nexus 1000 or APX in Pattern 12. I could order the APX through MyBauer, but is there any intent on the Nexus being released through that program as well? My thinking is that the X60 played very stiff for me in the 77 flex because I cut it out. And from what I've read, the Nexus is pretty versatile for all shots and is a bit more whippy, so that could be a more suitable profile for me.

[bolt91 31]

P12 is not a retail pattern. You'd have to order it through MyBauer.

[chippa13 1844]

The p12 is actually Bauer's 6 lie. It has been wrong on their chart forever.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

Thanks, so now it's just a question of whether or not the Nexus will end up on MyBauer, I guess.

The p12 is actually Bauer's 6 lie. It has been wrong on their chart forever.

Good to know, thank you.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Nexus will be available on myBauer in the fall, along with TotalONE NXG.

[sickwilly 37]

I'd probably go with Option A of Scotty's suggestions.