Matt Duchenes stick

[60PlusWinger 82]

I know he uses a Reebok Ribcor dressed as whatever because of the ribs. I would like to know however what flex he's using and how much he's cutting it down. I know he used to use a much longer stick but I'd like specifics.

http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_24415029/avalanches-matt-duchene-is-getting-long-results-shorter

[Cavs019 710]

Aside from a number of incorrect facts about stick tech in that article, isn't all of the information you need there?

80 flex, higher lie to compensate for the shorter stick. His curve is something P92-ish.

[steelnation248 102]

He uses a Drury curve with some toe added

[jgp799 2]

I have a Duchene CCM 40k Ribcore and it is 75 flex. I have seen a pic recently that shows he is using a 70 flex. That is before he cuts approximately 6 inches off.

[jgp799 2]

http://hfboards.hockeysfuture.com/showthread.php?t=1725779

There is a pic in the link above that shows his cut stick next to some uncut sticks.

[flip12 717]

I just saw an auction on eBay that had game used sticks from Skinner, Fedorov (Nike-Era: before he went super short with his sticks), and Kessel. Fedorov's stick was the shortest of the three even though at 188 cm he's taller than both Kessel, who's 183 cm, and Skinner, 180 cm.

Picture link.

It seems sticks are generally much longer today with a few exceptions.

[60PlusWinger 82]

I've seen that cut hockey stick whatever site and it goes on and on about what the "correct" length of a stick should be (super short) and highlights players like Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque, Crosby, Ovechkin etc but if you look at the length of most players sticks in comparison their size they are considered long. Stamkos doesn't cut his sticks but he's only 6'1, Seguin adds probably 2 inches to his, Perry and Getzlaf sure don't seem to have short sticks but maybe they look long because of how big those guys are.

[flip12 717]

Lots of players today show they can handle a longer stick just as well as the best from back in the day. I think it was due to how heavy a wood stick would have been if it were nose height. You generally didn't see danglers use such long sticks because it was prohibitively unwieldy. Then you have the transition period of guys who started playing with the heavier materials and started using composite later. Some have lengthened their sticks considerably on this side of the divide, like Datsyuk and Jagr. Crosby and Duchene are just fun throw-backs to have, but I'm positive Duchene could go back to longer sticks and still have those insane hands and shot, Crosby too of course.

I'm wondering if longer sticks would affect their attack styles though. It seems having the shorter sticks allows both of those guys to actually attack in close to defenders because, while the defenders they're attacking usually have longer sticks, that also leaves more of this space between their reach and their body where the puck can go, and since both C+D skate so powerfully, they can confidently drive to the middle with the puck in tight to their bodies, thanks to the NHL's rule enforcement changes. Whenever I watch some good old 90's hockey, it's appalling how much obstruction they get away with. They look like their uniforms are double sided super sticky tape, and they just can't break free of one another.

[sbecks72986 51]

I think its just personal preference for both shooting and stick handling. Ive always used sticks ranging from chin or a lil longer to about a inch below the chin and i think the inch below the chin is most comfortable for me. Theres guys with sick hands that use longer sticks like Datsyuk and if you guys are familiar with Pavel Barber, i asked him how long does he like his stick and he said bottom lip with skates on.

[60PlusWinger 82]

The strange thing for me is that Ived used -2 inches cut all the way up to adding an inch with an extension and if I compare my best games to what stick I was using itd go to either one. I guess it depends on how you feel