Rather than leave it up to you to use Trial-and-Error to find an optimal stick and Blade Pattern, I’ve taken much of the guess work out of the process for you. Here are the current Blade Patterns being mass produced, along with the Puck Control and Shot Benefit information pertinent to each:
The SF91 (Lie 4/Lie 5, Closed Mid Curve, 3/8” shallow pocket)
Also Known As: Easton P4 (Forsberg/Zetterberg/Cammalleri), Bauer Nike PM9 (Stamkos/Malkin/Hossa), Warrior Savard/Fedorov/Burrows, Sher-Wood P96 (Bouchard)
Puck Control Rating: 5 Stars
Shot Benefits: Slap Shot Accuracy, Passing/Saucer Passing Accuracy, Backhand
Shot Detriments: Makes shot very straight, which allows goaltenders to stop high Wrist-Shots fairly easily. Not at all ideal for roofing the puck or players who like to shoot high.
The SF91 is named after Sergei Fedorov. It could alternatively be called the PF21 (after Peter Forsberg) or the EM71 (after Evgeni Malkin).
The Blade Pattern is ideal for the Playmaking Center, or the pass-first player who frequently carries the puck before distributing. The shallow Mid pocket ensures optimal Puck Control in-traffic, and allows the user to put terrific touch on saucer passes. Passes and Shots go in a very predictable and straight trajectory. The gentle nature of the curve also maximizes a player’s backhand shot.
Additionally, an offensive-oriented Defenseman could benefit from using this pattern, as it aids Slap Shot Accuracy and allows for an accurate, low Point-Shot. The Passing benefit works well for Defenders who frequently start the Break-out and need more finesse than a standard Defenseman’s pattern (such as the Easton Lidstrom/Getzlaf) allows.
The nature of the Blade Face to Centralize Passes and Shots does not make this ideal for a Sniper or a shoot-first player; the tendency of the shot will be to hit the goaltender in the chest or in the middle of his leg pads. Also, if you’re a player who likes to shoot pucks over the gloves and blockers of Butterfly goaltenders, you’ll find the Blade Pattern fights you every time you try to shoot high.
The shallow pocket and the short blade, while allowing a quick release for passing, do not allow for the Shot Power of a deep Heel curve.
This Pattern is the closest the major manufacturers offer to a straight blade. I think this Pattern is a good starting point for the novice player, as it allows optimal Passing and Puck Control while helping a player cultivate preferences regarding Shooting.
The JS19/SC87 (Lie 5/5.5/6, Open Mid Curve, ½” Moderate pocket)
Also Known As: Sher-Wood Stastny P26/Crosby P6087, Easton P3 (Hall/Sakic), Bauer Nike P92 (Backstrom), Warrior Draper/Toews, RBK P87A (Crosby), RBK P38 (Datsyuk)
Puck Control Rating: 3 Stars
Shot Tendency: High, with Tail toward Off-Side (Left Shot bends right, Right Shot bends Left)
Shot Benefits: Wrist Shot Accuracy
Shot Detriments: Open Face not ideal for Slap Shots or One-Timers, but better than an Open-Wedge.
The Pattern is named after Joe Sakic, an extremely talented all-around player perhaps best known for his laser Wrist Shot.
The Pattern is ideal if you’re a frequent Puck-Carrier, a forward, and equally prone to Pass or Shoot. It’s designed for the classic goal-scoring Center, like Steve Yzerman, Mike Modano, or the aforementioned Sakic.
This is a fairly well-rounded Pattern, with the primary benefit being for the player who likes to rip Wrist Shots over the glove of opposing goaltenders. The higher pocket allows for better Deking and in-traffic Puck Control than the average Heel curve, and the curve is gentle enough as to not be a major detriment to Backhand Shots. The Pattern works well for tips.
While the Pattern does everything well, it’s not the best Pattern for anything but Wrist Shots. The Moderate pocket depth does not allow for the Quick Release a player ideally wants on Snap Shots or One-Timers, and the curvature of the Blade does not allow for the effortless passing or Backhanded shooting of the SF91.
The primary drawback is that the location of the pocket leads to inconsistent Slap Shots, especially One-Time Slap Shots. Additionally, the Open face leads to well-struck Slap Shots sailing high; defensemen looking for a low, heavy shot will not benefit from using this Pattern.
The Kova-Launcher/AK27 (Lie 4/Lie 5, Open-Wedge Heel Curve, ½” Moderate pocket)
Also Known As: Warrior Kovalev, Easton P6 (Drury/Parise), CCM Ovechkin, Sher-Wood Spezza P19/Ryan PP09, Bauer Nike 91A (Staal)
Puck Control Rating: 2 Stars
Shot Tendency: Very High; Shot Rises rapidly, but very little Horizontal Movement
Shot Benefit: Wrist Shot Power, Deflections, Snap Shot Power
Shot Detriments: Slap Shot Accuracy, Backhands, One-Timers
This Pattern is named after Alex Kovalev, as it was initially his Innovative Pattern and was eventually adopted by Easton. Warrior currently releases it (albeit a tamed-down version) under his name.
This Pattern works best for the Do-it-Himself forward, who wants to barge into traffic and create his own shot time after time. Picture Alex Oveckin’s style, and you’ll see the benefit of the Kova-Launcher.
The Kova-Launcher is pure power. If you want to smoke the puck past the goaltender, this is what you want. While Wrist Shots/Snap Shots are quite true horizontally, the tendency of the shot will be to rapidly ascend. If you like go Bar-Down on goaltenders, again, this is your Pattern.
Unfortunately, the Open-Wedge makes Puck Control a chore. Because the Blade Face twists so dramatically, the Puck Carrier tends to lose a lot of pucks in traffic if he isn’t precise. Additionally, the twist of the Blade Face does not allow for very consistent Slap Shot Accuracy, especially on One-Timers. The user has to strike the puck on the perfect spot to ensure a crisp Slap Shot, and rotating Heel-to-Toe does not help.
Furthermore, the user must fight to keep the puck below the Crossbar. Players who like to consistently shoot low or Five-Hole should stay the hell away from the Kova-Launcher. The twist of the Blade Face does not make Backhands a treat, either.
Notice in the picture above just how short Kovalev cuts his stick to drive down the Lie and get as far underneath the puck as possible. Bear in mind Kovy is 6’2, and notice how he hunches over a stick that probably checks in at about a Lie 3. Using such a short stick definitely aids in controlling and lifting the puck, and you may be inclined to cut the shaft to well below chin-level if you opt for the Kova-Launcher.
(UPDATE: 3/26/13 – In honor of Alex Kovalev’s retirement from the NHL, I used a Kova-Launcher/Heel Open-Wedge Pattern this past week. I have recently been using a Sher-Wood PP77 Pattern, but I used the Kova-Launcher for a number of years, including a few years of college hockey. I am eerily comfortable with the Pattern.
I used the KL for one game and one practice, and here are my notes:
The drop in Puck Control from a PP77 to a KL is brutal. In my ratings, I gave the KL a 2-star for Puck Control and the PP77 a 3.5-star. After last week, I firmly stand behind those ratings. My comfort with the KL from long-time use helped, but I still lost a lot of pucks on routine plays.
However, my Wrist Shot and Backhand suddenly reappeared, with a vengeance. I was absolutely rifling pucks, as the Heel Curve of the KL suits my natural Shot Mechanics, which are not surprisingly based on Alex Kovalev’s. The Flex Ratings on the respective sticks I use are very similar, so I do not believe Stick Flex accounted for the difference in Shot Power as much as the Blade Pattern.
As reported earlier, taking One-Timers or Slap Shots with the KL is a waste of time, but if you are a player who likes to create your own shot in the Offensive Zone, the KL is pretty spectacular.
Surprisingly, I have to report that the PP77, with its obnoxious Big 3/4″ Curve, is actually a more well-rounded Pattern than the KL. While it cripples Backhand play, the PP77 does everything else pretty well, so much so that I switched back to it mid-game after using the KL for a period. Again, my comfort level with both is equally-high, and the issue is that the KL Heel Open-Wedge Pattern allows you to do a few things really, really well and really hurts you on a few others. Worth remembering.)
The Nike ML66 (P91, Lie 6, Slightly-Open Mid-Heel Curve, 1”2 Moderate pocket)
M. LEMIEUX
Shot Tendency: Moderate-High, with slight Tailing
Shot Benefits: Increased Wrist Shot Accuracy/Power, Backhands, Passing and Saucer Passing
Shot Detriments: Not ideal for Slap Shots, but not horrid
This Curve is what prompted this article. I used this Pattern exclusively for about five years, by which point Mario signed with CCM and Bauer gradually phased out P91 in lieu of the more-aggressive P91A.
Pittsburgh Penguins fans will immediately recognize ML66 as Mario’s call numbers. This Pattern was in production from the time Mario signed with Nike/Bauer (around the time of his comeback, circa 2001) until after the lockout (around early 2006) when CCM bought Mario’s endorsement rights. None of the major manufacturers currently produce an identical match to the P91, as it sits directly between the JS19 and the Kova-Launcher.
The Pattern offers a reasonable compromise between the JS19 and the Kova-Launcher. The Blade Face does not open as drastically as either of those Patterns, and the Pocket Location allows for a premium blend of Wrist Shooting, Passing, and Puck Control. The Slightly-Open face allows a broad striking range and large margin for error on Slap Shots and One-Timers, as well as aiding in Saucer Passing. The long blade adds a Tail to Wrist Shots.
This chart may help you differentiate between the ML66 (P91) and the more-aggressive AK27 (P91A), as well as other common Manufacturer’s Patterns:
You can tell I have extreme affection for the ML66 Pattern.
The drawback is that Nike P91 was only offered by Nike. None of the other major manufacturers offered a true comparable; the TPS Frolov and the Sher-Wood PP19 were reasonably close until both became more of an Open-Wedge Pattern, ramping up Shot Power but decreasing Puck Control and Wrist Shot Accuracy.
The PC77 (Lie 5.5, Open Big Heel curve, ¾” Deep pocket)
Also Known As: Easton P33 (Chara), Sher-Wood P77 (Coffey)
Puck Control Rating: 3.5 Stars
Shot Tendency: Moderate
Shot Benefits: Slap Shot Power, Slap Shot Accuracy with Tail
Shot Detriments: Backhands, Deflections
Often imitated but never duplicated is the Sher-Wood Coffey P77 has in some ways single-handily kept Sher-Wood viable in the marketplace. While the bigger manufacturers (Easton, Bauer/Nike, Warrior) have tried with mixed results to replicate the Blade Pattern, loyalists who have used the Pattern for years or even decades insist on buying the genuine article.
Obviously named after smooth-skating Defenseman Paul Coffey, the P77 offers you a hammer-shot from the point, while allowing above-average Puck Control for the player who spends a lot of time moving the puck up the ice himself on the forehand.
The Blade Pattern is designed for the goal-scoring gunner or the Offensive Defenseman. If you like to set up for Slap Shots in space or find yourself receiving a lot of passes at the point, this Pattern will go a long way toward optimizing your abilities. The Blade Face is flat enough to leave a wide margin for error upon striking the puck, while the Deep Heel pocket maximizes Puck Control and puts exceptional spin on well-struck shots.
My biggest gripe with this pattern (though I currently use it) is the detriment it provides to all play on the Backhand. Both Backhand shots and escape moves to the Backhand are woefully-consistent due to the aggressive curve. Defensemen will likely have no problems with this pattern, but a puck-carrying forward may want to re-evaluate her or his options.
This Pattern also isn’t great for the close-to-the-net player. The Pattern fights the user on both Backhands and Deflections, so if you’re a Tomas Holmstrom/John LeClair type, you probably want to look elsewhere. While the Pattern is not intended for Wrist Shots, it doesn’t provide a major detriment to them, either. The depth of the Heel pocket allows for greater Puck Control than a standard Heel curve, though the Pattern is not ideal for the Toe-Dragging Dangler.
The IGGY12 (Lie 5.5, Closed Mid face, 1”2 Moderate curve)
Also Known As: Easton P7 (Iginla), CCM Lecavalier
Puck Control Rating: 4 Stars
Shot Tendency: Low-Moderate
Shot Benefits: One-Timers, Slap Shot Power, Slap Shot Accuracy
Shot Detriments: Closed Face fights the user if he tries to lift the puck. Not ideal for Deflections.
This is named after Jarome Iginla, which should be fairly evident.
This Pattern is for the player inspired by Iginla, i.e. the Sniper/Power Forward. It has a bit more bite than an SF91, as the slightly-deeper pocket allows the user to locate the puck away from the center of the net. The Closed Face and flat striking-surface makes it ideal for those who like to rip One-Timers from either Wing or go downstairs on goaltenders.
The Blade Face is not a detriment to those who like to Deke, but the Face is intended more for substance than style. This is not the Pattern for Danglers or players who like to finesse the puck. It offers similar properties to the PC77, but the gentler, shallower Pocket is more suited for Finishers who set up away from the puck and players who need to release the puck in a hurry or in traffic. It offers a benefit to Snap Shots and Wrist Shots that the PC77 probably does not.
The Closed Face is not good for Deflections or roofing the puck. This is also not the ideal Playmaker’s pattern, as it does not offer the optimal Puck Control or minimal Pocket Depth of the SF91.
The Nike P88 (Lie 6, Slightly Open Mid face, ½” Moderate Curve)
Puck Control Rating: 4 Stars
Shot Tendency: Moderate-High
Shot Benefits: Passing, Saucer Passing, Wrist Shot Accuracy, Deking, Puck Control
Shot Detriments: Pocket location does not allow for optimal Shot Power.
The Bauer/Nike P88 is, like the Sher-Wood Coffey, a unique pattern that has survived several generations of copy-cat stick production due to its enduring popularity. Certain players insist on using the P88, and Easton, Warrior, et al. do not currently produce a comparable Pattern.
The Pattern was introduced as and known for a long time as the Lindros P88. Recently, Bauer has changed the name to the Kane P88.
The Pattern offers many of the same benefits as the ML66, as the Slightly-Open Face offers the best blend of touch on passes and Tail on Wrist Shots. It differs from the ML66 in that it’s shorter and the Pocket is slightly closer to the toe.
The P88 is ideal for the pass-first finesse player. It is more a scalpel than a hammer, optimal for precision. It allows for equal touch on Saucer, Backhand, and Forehand passes, and offers a bit more zip and less traceable trajectory on Wrist Shots than the SF91. The 6 Lie works well for players who wish to keep the puck close to their body, and keeps the puck in a good slot for Passing and Wrist Shots.
The downside is that it’s not an overly-powerful Pattern, and that it’s only offered by one company. While the Pattern allows for deft Puck Control in-traffic, it does not offer a ton of benefit to the player looking to unleash a variety of different shots. This is the Dangler’s Pattern, as far as current mass-produced Patterns go.
The NL05 (Lie 5.5, Moderate-Open Heel face, ½” Mid curve with Square Toe)
Also Known As: Easton P5 (Lidstrom/Getzlaf), RBK P36 (Phaneuf), Warrior Lidstrom/Jovanovski, Bauer/Nike 02 (Kronwall)
Puck Control Rating: 3 Stars
Shot Tendency: Moderate, Rising
Shot Benefits: Crisp passing, Slap Shot Power, chipping pucks up the boards
Shot Detriments: Not a precise Pattern. Not an ideal Pattern for most forwards, as it offers sub-par performance benefits on most types of shooting and many precise Puck Control skills, such as Toe-Dragging and in-traffic control.
The NL05, named after “The Perfect Human” Nick Lidstrom, is Easton’s stock defenseman’s pattern. The Pattern offers the standard benefits for the meat-and-potatoes defenseman, such as a broad Blade Face for striking Slap Shots, a Heel pocket for Puck Control, and a Square Toe for picking pucks off the boards.
The Pattern is a sensible alternative for defenders who prefer the increased Shot Release that an Easton or Warrior Composite stick allows over the Sher-Wood PC77. Defensive defensemen tend to favor this Pattern.
While Easton currently markets the stick as a Getzlaf, the Pattern offers none of the primary benefits a forward would desire that aren’t better represented on other models. For example, while the Heel curve and Open Face allows for a hard, rising shot, the Kova-Launcher’s Rounded Toe makes it more desirable for in-traffic Puck Control.
Conclusions
There are many reasons that goal-scoring at higher levels has taken a hit since the early-1990s: better shot-blocking, better goaltending, better conditioning, better coaching, etc. The list goes on and on. But the fact is that advanced stick technology has not remedied the dearth in goal-scoring the way that many thought it would.
Check out this list of 50-goal scorers in NHL history:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NHL_players_with_50-goal_seasons
Omitting the year after the Lock-Out (2005-06), in which there were an inordinate number of Power Plays issued as players adapted to the obstruction rule changes, notice how the league has gone from having 14 50-goal scorers in 1992-93 to one 50-goal scorer in 2010-11.
I could not find statistics detailing 30-goal scorers from the past twenty years, but I suspect they would be even more skewed.
I don’t think most hockey players, especially younger ones, have considered that composite sticks are as much a part of the problem as they are part of the solution. Composite sticks could reasonably be compared to steroids in terms of what they do for the shooter.
This is not to go on a witch-hunt against Composite sticks. But the rough data suggests that Composite sticks, though they undoubtedly allow a player to shoot faster, have not improved goal-scoring the way modern goaltending equipment has helped goaltenders stop the puck.
My suggestion to the modern player is that he spends as much time working on his creativity, hockey IQ, and Offensive Awareness as he or she does rifling pucks. As written above, I also suggest he or she purchase a good wooden stick, and use it to check his personal Shot Mechanics. A composite stick certainly lessens a player’s need to rely on Weight Transfer, Puck Location, and proper rotation of the core and trunk.
