Looking for a New Curve

[matt333 0]

Hi everyone. I grew up playing with a PM9 stamkos pattern, 87 flex Supreme 20 (lower end). I play hockey quite often and have worked allot in the past few years so I thought I would start experiment with some other equipment. I am a forward with speed and good hands. I am looking for a stick to compliment this style of play. I have read allot of information on sticks and am looking for your imput to improve my game. I will be taking mostly wrist/snap shots and dekes. Here are some things I like, or am looking for:

-smaller rocker:? (not sure if this will help for dekes, I noticed the rocker is very small on the stamkos, would like some input on what to choose)

-toe curve: (I think I would benefit from a toe curve or possible a mid)

-lie: (I did not like the lie (5) on the PM9, so I would like to move to 5.5 or 6)

-face:? (I am not sure if an open, slightly open or closed would elevate my game)

-grip: (I have never used grip until this year, I don't think I would like a very grippy stick, so if there are any alternatives or other options I would like to hear them)

-flex: (I would choose between 75/77 or 85/87)

I have tried the E3 hall on a RS and noticed the rocker was quite large. I haven't had much time to use it, so I haven't been able to tell if the rocker is what I am looking for.

I will not be taking too many slap shots, so it that is a factor than a stick that plays better on wrist/snap would be great. I understand technique is #1, so I am just looking to find a stick that will play for me. If you have any suggestions on brands, patterns and models that would be great. Thanks!

[Cosmic 178]

I used a curve similar to Iginla, took ALOT of time away from the game, then came back to the Warrior Kopitar, after having been told it is an all around good curve. I am moving away from Kopitar toward Zetterberg/Kovalchuk/Iginla. I would not say I am good- I am passable, but I do not have hards, no deking to speak of. I am big and usually instinctively know where to go, and if given time and space then I can shoot. So, overall, my game is limited, so I cannot have equipment "getting in the way of my making routine plays." In other words, what works for me, or what I find to be important, may not apply to you if you have achieved a higher level of play.

Rocker: The Kopitar has a bit of a rocker. While this is nice for stickhandling and being able to reach and grab pucks from all angles around me, the rocker screws up my passes and wrist shots, because I forget to foll my wrists to accommodate the rocker, and thus I whiff too often on routine passes, and wrist shots for my liking, and the puck sneaks under the toe when I am going heel to toe, and then the puck is behind me and I am skating forward. For someone who shoots from the toe and slaps their passes, this will not be an issue. I am old school in this regard though, it is all heel to toe.

Toe curve- I hear this helps for shooting but I cannot comment as I never has one.

Lie- if you go to a higher lie, then you will be forced to play a little more upright or hold your hands higher.

Face- I allow alot of passes to squirt over the top of the open faced Kopitar. Sure, catch with the heel, roll your wrists down and all that good stuff. But when I am receiving off target passes in traffic, I cannot process 1) who is around me, 2) where I will be going, 3) keep your eye on the pass and just make sure it hits the paddle, let alone where on the paddle and in what angle my wrists are in. However, I do like the open face for banging away rebounds over sprawled out goalies in front, and ease of saucer passes. I grew up though with puck lifting skills because none of our sticks had Ovie type curves, so I stay away from open face.

Grip- I use T1 with Tac spiral, no grip necessary. This does the job.

Flex- There are tons of threads on this. I use 102 flex and sacrifice a bit on my wrist shot, for consistency in stickhandling, slapping the puck away, stick wars (battling for loose pucks with other players, like arm wrestling basically when the puck gets stuck between paddles), and slap shots.

[CTB 32]

Going from a heel to more of a toe curve will probably take a while to get used to.

If you're looking to stay within the Bauer family, I'd suggest maybe trying a more gradual transition and going with the P88 (Kane) which is a midcurve. It won't put extra loft on your shot like the P92 but it's a lie 6 and allows for good puck control.

Grip is certainly a personal preference. Flex preference is affected by more things than just the nominal stiffness based on a few factors such as the kickpoint and even the quality of the stick you're using.

[Stewie 721]

kane might be too much rocker for you, not sure, but maybe the toews pattern?

[SydNap 25]

Datsyuk, p38. Very little rocker, the blade works well for dekes and wristers....

[Stewie 721]

datsyuk could work, its a great curve. you can try it on a 25k or ribcore.

[matt333 0]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I am definitely willing to move outside the Bauer family. I really enjoyed the PM9 curve ( it is the only curve I have used up until this year). The initial reason of looking for a new curve was because of my shots. I found I could deke and toe drag quite well with the PM9. It may be because of the low lie, it looks like warrior may have some sticks with a higher lie and same pattern. I may also try cutting down the bauer PM9 stick I have.

[Zjack38 46]

What's wrong with your shot? If its just not getting op off the ice high enough then all you really have to do is practice with it more.

[matt333 0]

Thanks Zjack. I found the puck was falling off the blade when I would go for a shot occasionaly. Your probably rite, it has allot to do with technique. I found myself very confident when carrying the puck using the pm9. I feel I always know where the puck is sitting in relation to the blade. One note is I never cut the stick down. I just cut it today, down just below my chin. Maybe this will make a difference.