Curve: Spezza/Bouchard (Same except Spezza is more open)
Description: This is a very slight heel curve. It is slightly open, with a round toe. Advantages: This curve is excellent for passing. It is also good for deflections (tipping) and backhand shots due to its large flat area. The slight curve also makes it good for catching and giving passes on the backhand. Drawbacks: This curve makes it more difficult to raise the puck from in close near the net. Most players also prefer a bigger curve than this for shooting. In addition, controlling the puck is harder with the PM9 because it really does not cup the puck at all. Similar Curves:Bauer PM9, Warrior Fedorov/Savard, Reebok Madano/Hamrlik, CCM Steen, Mission Boyes/Elias, TPS Tkackuk, Easton Zetterberg (underlined curves are most Similar) Bottom Line: This is the playmakers' curve. If passing and feeding is your game, go with one of these curves. |
Curve: Lidstrom
Description: Deep heel curve with an open face and square toe. Blade length - Long Advantages: This curve has many features that benefit defensemen. The square toe is excellent for pulling pucks off the boards that have been rung by forwards. The long length is excellent for getting the puck deep, as well as shooting one-timers and poke-checking. Long blades like this one are also good for getting the puck on net quickly. Lastly, the Lidstrom curve is great for slappers. Drawbacks: Most players prefer a round toe for pulling off moves (toe-drag etc). This is also a pretty big curve, which makes passing and shooting on the backhand difficult. Similar Curves: Bauer P02 (Samsonov), Warrior Jovanowski/Lidstrom, Reebok Phaneuf (P32), Sherwood Lidstrom, CCM Lecavlier, Mission Hainsey/McCauley Bottom Line: This curve is great for defensemen. The long length and square toe will have you playing D like Nik Lidstrom |
Curve: Iginla
Description: This is a slight mid curve with a slightly open face. Advantages: The Iginla is neither deep nor small, and is neither open nor closed. These moderates give you the best of both worlds, so to speak. This curve will be good for puck control, raising the puck on shots, backhands, one-timers and deflections. Drawbacks: The moderates of this curve give you a great range of functions, but it isn't great for any specific action. Similar Curves: Bauer P88, Warrior Vanek/Weight, RBK Datsyuk, Mission Hossa/Hull/Leopold 2, CCM Rechi/Tavares, TPS Bergeron, Sherwood Iginla (underlined curves are most similar) Bottom Line: This is a great curve for an all around player. It won't give you any strengths, but it won't leave one area of your game vulnerable. |