P88 to........ ?

[noupf 43]

P88 user here, been using this curve for 20+ years ( mainly Bauer and CCM sticks ).  I like buying pro stocks, but it seems that P88 is becoming harder and harder to find.   Using the google machine, it looks like P92/29 is the closest thing to a P88, but has a more open face.  Is that correct and is it a drastic difference?  I'm just a beer league defenseman, but I do shoot A LOT from far out and I've always enjoyed how the P88 kept my shots down with its relatively neutral face.  Thoughts and opinions on those who have switched or use P92/29 please.... 🙂  

Edited April 16 by noupf

[MyBoxersSayJoe 134]

Try the pattern database.  Warrior W88 may be more available.  Or True MC.

[Westside 270]

Pro stock hockey had a bunch of P88 curves recently (I bought two QR6 pros) and of course pro stock hockey sticks also had them in various kickpoints. Hockey stick man had a few at higher flex points recently. 
 

whenever I find a stick I like in specs I prefer I’ll buy 2-4 to have as they’re not as easy to find anymore 

[MyBoxersSayJoe 134]

21 hours ago, Westside said:

Pro stock hockey had a bunch of P88 curves recently (I bought two QR6 pros) and of course pro stock hockey sticks also had them in various kickpoints. Hockey stick man had a few at higher flex points recently. 
 

whenever I find a stick I like in specs I prefer I’ll buy 2-4 to have as they’re not as easy to find anymore 

Bought a bundle of Johnny Gaudreau 55 and 65 flex prostocks years ago, I'm still using them.  Bauer P14's aren't too far off from P88, but I'm not sure if those are still around or not.

[flip12 748]

22 hours ago, noupf said:

P88 user here, been using this curve for 20+ years ( mainly Bauer and CCM sticks ).  I like buying pro stocks, but it seems that P88 is becoming harder and harder to find.   Using the google machine, it looks like P92/29 is the closest thing to a P88, but has a more open face.  Is that correct and is it a drastic difference?  I'm just a beer league defenseman, but I do shoot A LOT from far out and I've always enjoyed how the P88 kept my shots down with its relatively neutral face.  Thoughts and opinions on those who have switched or use P92/29 please.... 🙂  

ProStockHockeySticks is a good option if you don't want to switch from the pattern you know.

[start_today 791]

Other people have said it, and this is my answer to way too many stick questions, but buy a p88 curve from prostockhockeysticks.com

And, if you want to experiment with curves similar to a p88, he has an insane number of curve options at retail pricing. (But, speaking as someone who keeps chasing the dream of a curve “like a p88 but better,” just buy a p88.)

If you're not familiar, read through the thread on them on here. Their quality is as good as the big boys’ sticks who cost $300 plus. It’s not some dude selling cheap temu sticks out of his garage. They are a legit brand (with a terrible name) and the owner has done his research and development to make these sticks. A small handful of guys in the NHL use them, including Ovechkin. 

[TheWontonDon24 0]

I like the P28 curve.

[Hills 725]

On 5/12/2026 at 1:46 PM, TheWontonDon24 said:

I like the P28 curve.

Sorry but... how can you even mention the 28 when someone is coming from an 88...

[flip12 748]

4 hours ago, Hills said:

Sorry but... how can you even mention the 28 when someone is coming from an 88...

They both end in 8?

[TheWontonDon24 0]

13 hours ago, Hills said:

Sorry but... how can you even mention the 28 when someone is coming from an 88...

Probably an unpopular opinion but I think the P28 is the best curve on the market. Worth trying it if switching. 

[flip12 748]

6 hours ago, TheWontonDon24 said:

Probably an unpopular opinion but I think the P28 is the best curve on the market. Worth trying it if switching. 

P28's my favorite retail curve at present as well, but it really comes down to personal preference. The P28's aggressive toe rocker and loft give a lot of people trouble, causing puck flutter, and sending shots high, respectively. Both of those pain points are even worse coming from P88, as it has the flattest toe rocker and least loft of the commonly available blades. It could be a few years before P86 becomes mainstream, but it would be a safer bet than P28 for anyone coming from P88.

[start_today 791]

On 5/23/2026 at 12:27 AM, TheWontonDon24 said:

Probably an unpopular opinion but I think the P28 is the best curve on the market. Worth trying it if switching. 

I think you’re giving an opinion “I like the p28,” without paying any attention to the question - “what plays similar to a p88.” 

That’s cool that you like the p28, there are other threads for that. It’s hardly an unpopular opinion, it’s easily one of the top three stock curves regularly available (ahem), and super popular at all levels of play. 
 
When someone asks what curve is similar to X, they aren’t asking you to just name other random curves. This is like if this were alcohol forum, and someone asked for a red wine recommendation, and you said “try and IPA, I love them.” 

[shoot_the_goalie 287]

On 4/16/2026 at 8:20 AM, noupf said:

P88 user here, been using this curve for 20+ years ( mainly Bauer and CCM sticks ).  I like buying pro stocks, but it seems that P88 is becoming harder and harder to find.   Using the google machine, it looks like P92/29 is the closest thing to a P88, but has a more open face.  Is that correct and is it a drastic difference?  I'm just a beer league defenseman, but I do shoot A LOT from far out and I've always enjoyed how the P88 kept my shots down with its relatively neutral face.  Thoughts and opinions on those who have switched or use P92/29 please.... 🙂  

Yeah.  Sadly P88s are becoming less available.  Seems like the demand is for blades with bigger hooks, etc. (funny enough, when I first played back in the 90s, curves like the P88 were considered extreme curves....ha!).   I still have a collection of P88s so I should be ok for a little bit, but I've been testing out a P29 to see if I can eventually switch over to it.  I find shooting and passing, there's a slight difference, but stick handling I find a significant difference.  That's been the biggest learning curve for me thus far.  I also ordered some sticks from Geppetto, so I keep my stock of P88s going.