Curve: Fedorov/Savard
Description: This is a very slight curve, the smallest offered by Warrior. 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 Fedorov because it really does not cup the puck at all. Similar Curves: Easton Zetterberg, Bauer PM9, Reebok Madano/Hamrlik, CCM Steen, Mission Boyes/Elias, TPS Tkackuk, Sherwood Bouchard (underlined curves are most similar) Bottom Line: This is the playmakers' curve. If passing and feeding is your game, go with the PM9. |
***Note: Pictured is a Bauer PM9, which is nearly identical to the Fedorov/Savard.
|
Curve: Draper
Description: This is a big mid curve with a open face. Advantages: This is the stickhandling curve. Toe drags, dekes, and straight up dangling will be easier with the Draper, because you can cup the puck better. The Draper is also great for snap shots because of the deep mid curve. The open face also makes it easier to raise the puck when you are in tight close to the net. Lastly, this curve is great for saucer passes. Drawbacks: The deep curve and open face makes backhand passing and shooting difficult. Similar Curves: Easton Sakic, Bauer P92, Reebok Datsyuk, CCM Lecavlier, Mission Rafalski, TPS Nash, Sherwood Stastny/Crosby/P6087 (underlined curves are most similar) Bottom Line: If stickhandling and quick snap shots are what you're looking for, the Draper is for you. |
Curve: Kovulchuk
Description: This is a pretty big mid-heel curve with a closed face. Advantages: This curve is good for stickhandling and excellent for shooting. The deep curve and closed face makes it easy to cup and therefore control the puck. As for shooting, the closed face on the P88 makes it easier to control shots and keep them low. Drawbacks: This deep curve makes it more difficult to shoot and pass on the backhand. In close to the net, it is harder to get the puck up quickly than a curve with an open face such as the Draper. Similar Curves: Easton Iginla, Bauer P88, Reebok Bergeron, CCM Thorton, Mission Hossa/ Leopold 2/Hull, TPS Afinoginov, Sherwood Iginla (Underlined curves are most similar) Bottom Line: This is the shooters' curve. The hook on this curve zips the puck off the stick wherever you want, high or low. |
Curve: Lidstrom (Jovanovski)
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 stickhandling 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/Pronger), 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: Kovalev
Description: Heel curve with a very open face. Advantages: The most dominant feature of this curve is it's "big open" face (very open face). This allows the player to get the puck up high in close to the net. It also is useful for wings to chip the puck out of the defensive zone. This is also a good curve for playing in the corners, because it is long with not very much mid curve. Drawbacks: The very open face may have some players shooting higher than they would like. Also, there is not much mid curve to this stick, so wrist and snap shots will not be as hard or quick. Similar Curves: Easton Drury, Bauer P91A (Stall), Reebok Spezza, CCM Doan, Mission Sundin/Carter, Mission Regher Bottom Line: If you like to grind it out in the corners and get dirty in front of the net, the Kovalev is for you |