The hockey stick is one of the most important pieces of equipment for a hockey player. Don’t get me wrong, the weight, grip, length, and shape of the stick matter, but the curve of the blade has an actual impact on how the puck releases off the player’s stick.
Overall, the curve you choose as a player influences how and where you shoot, pass, and control the puck. That’s why choosing the right curve (or blade pattern) is crucial for your game.
In this guide, I start by adding a full hockey stick curve comparison table, then list every hockey stick curve individually going into detail about each type of curve.
Hockey Stick Curve Comparison Chart:
Please feel free to share my comparison table by sharing this article!
The hockey stick curve comparison chart shows all the different curves by their brand name. It is very important to understand that a curve name for one brand can be named differently for another brand, but the curves can be the same!
Now let’s take a look at each curve individually to learn more about them. I am listing the curves by their BAUER name and will provide all brand/curve comparison names for each. If no Bauer name is available, I will list the curve name by brand popularity.
P92 Curve
The P92 curve is one of the most popular blade patterns used in hockey. You may know it as the Sakic curve, Matthews curve, or Crosby curve. The CCM name for this blade pattern is the P29 curve (Bauer is P92).
It has a mid-curve with an open face, perfect for taking slap shots, snap shots, and wrist shots. It’s an extremely versatile curve because its great for stick handling and passing the puck too.
The round toe is what I like most about this curve; it’s great for stick handling because it makes those quick moves like toe dragging the puck feel easier. If you are planning to transition from a closed-face curve, or slightly opened like the P88, this is the curve I recommend you move to first. It’s a great way of easing into a much more open-faced curve that isn’t huge like the P28.
Many NHL players use the P92 curve, whether its the exact P92 or a similar customized curve designed for their personal preferences. You may see the P92M, which is the same curve, but the blade height is taller; the “M” stands for MAX height.
Some NHL players that use the P92 curve are:
- Auston Matthews
- Nathan Mackinnon
- Jason Roberston
- Matthew Tkachuk
- Elias Petterson
- Mitch Marner
Read my full post on the P92 curve here.
P88 Curve
The P88 curve is another super popular hockey stick blade pattern. This curve is famously called the “Kane curve” or “Lindros curve” because Patrick Kane and Eric Lindros use/used it, and they both wore the number 88.
It has a slight open-faced curve, but it’s just about a closed-faced curve; that’s how close it is. The curve is pretty small in size because its toe doesn’t open and curve a lot like the P28 or P92. The toe shape is different than others; it is still round, but it has more of a flat top in comparison to other round toe curves.
I like to consider the P88 as a classic blade pattern suited for all players, but it makes for a great defenseman curve option. Why? Well, defenders are not always snipers looking to take score or do toe drags around other players. This curve is best for taking lower shots, where defensemen can purposely shoot low on point looking for a rebound or a sneaky goal.
A reason why it’s great for all players is because it’s a great curve for puck control, passing, and backhand control. Some curves with larger open faces make backhand shots challenging, but the P88 is barely open-faced so the backhand can be used to your advantage.
Some NHL players that use the P92 curve are:
- Patrick Kane
- Johnny Gaudreau
- Cale Makar
- Quinn Hughes
See my full post on the P88 here.
P28 Curve
The P28 is a rapidly growing blade pattern in terms of popularity and for a good reason. You may know this curve by its retail name “McDavid”, although McDavid doesn’t actually use this curve.
It is a big mid-toe curve that has an open face. The toe curves a lot, and the shape of the toe is very round compared to other curves.
If you are searching for a curve designed for sniping snap shots, unbelievable dangles, and quick saucer passes, I recommend testing out the P28.
I decided to buy this curve simply to try it out, and I absolutely love it. My snap shot was always a weak part of my game; when I switched to this curve and worked on my snapper, I could release it so close to my body. Also, releasing the puck from off the toe of this stick is magical…
I was surprised by how quick it feels for stick handling too, my toe drags feel simplified, and my saucer passes are so easy to make.
I was a defenseman when I played competitive hockey, I am not sure if I would use this curve during my competitive years only because my slap shots are a bit on the wild side. However, it may have improved my quick release from the point, increasing scoring chances.
If you are looking for a fun and exciting curve this is the one for you. It may not be the best selection for a beginner, but players looking to up there shooting, mainly snap shots, this is the curve you should test out.
NHL players that use the P28 are:
- Jack Eichel
- David Pastrnak
- Nikita Kucherov
- Erik Karlsson
P90TM Curve
This is a somewhat newer curve that is becoming a more popular blade pattern each year. It is called a P90TM under Bauer and CCM.
Basically, it’s a combination of the P92 and the P28 curve designed for players looking to shoot the puck more off of the toe. You may know the P90TM curve as the “Tavares curve”. It can be called the P90T when its not max blade height. TRUE calls it the T90T, previously the TC6.
If you are looking to transition from the P92 to the P28, you can test this curve out to see if you like the larger curve feel.
The P90TM is a mid-toe curve; you can see it open quickly from the heel but opens up significantly at the toe. The toe is round like the P92 and not as round as the P28.
Choosing this curve is great for all levels of players, and a beginner may be better off starting with the P92 and transitioning to this curve when their puck skills grow a bit. However, if you are looking to start practicing toe release shots, this P90TM is a good place to get things started.
P02 Curve
The P02 curve is not as popular as it once was, but it is still an option that is available. The P02 is commonly known as the Lindstrom curve or more recently the Kronwall curve.
What makes the P02 hockey stick curve so unique is the toe shape, it is squared instead of round like most stick blades. The pros of a squared toe on your stick blade is that it makes picking up pucks around the boards easier.
This curve may be a good option for wingers for an easier breakout when defensemen ring the puck along the boards during a breakout. Also, the toe being flat can be nice for toe dragging the puck, but it will feel slightly different than a rounded toe.
It can be a good option for defense too as a defender works along the boards behind their own net often and also to keep the puck in at the opponent’s blueline when on offense. The P02 is famously known to be great for slapshots for d-men too.
PM9 Curve
The PM9 curve, also known as the “Stamkos curve” is a popular closed-face blade pattern option. Having a closed-face curve helps keep shots low on net. This can be a pro for defense taking slap shots on point to make sure it gets through low and hidden from the goalie’s vision. Plus, when it’s low you are not shooting over the net and a low shot has more rebound opportunities.
It can also be a great option for a player who takes one-timers often. This can be for players who often set up on the powerplay for the one-timer on the tops of the circles.
Overall, the curve is for all levels of players because it allows comfortable stick handing, easy pass pickup on both sides, and it makes backhanding the puck much easier. A beginner may find it more of a challenge to get the puck off the ice with this curve though.
P91A Curve
The P91A curve, also known as the Staal or Drury curve, is a small mid-heel curve with an open face. It’s not as popular anymore as you will not typically see this curve at your local hockey store.
The P91A curve itself is pretty straight compared to others like the P92. It’s known as a heel curve, so you can expect shots to come off the heel nicely and elevate easily (due to the open face). Snap shots off the toe aren’t best with this curve.
Saucer passing the puck is known to be pretty easy with the P91A because of its design. Since the curve isn’t huge, receiving a pass on both the forehand and backhand is easy too. Backhand shots are easier too with this curve because the toe doesn’t curve much; this gives you more space on the blades backhand to elevate and control your backhanders.
Many forwards who are good at deflecting the puck choose this curve because it’s not too big, which helps you control the deflection quite well.
P14 Curve
The Bauer P14 curve, well-known as the Toews curve, is a blade pattern that is not as popular as it once was. The curve is great primarily for its shooting capabilities.
It is a mid-toe curve, which provides a visible hook at the tip of the blade that helps with elevating and lifting the puck for top-shelf shots. Players using the P14 curve might find they can achieve a quick release and a lift on their shots with greater ease, which can put you at an advantage for scoring in tight spaces.
However, the curve’s design may lead to some trade-offs in play. The toe curve can possibly reduce accuracy and make it more challenging to keep the puck flat on the ice when making hard passes. The P14’s blade is relatively short compared to other patterns like the P88 and P92, which can impact puck control and handling.
I like to consider the P14 the older option for a toe curve that is good for toe release shots, and the P28 is the new and improved toe curve that feels all around better for control and accuracy. But it always comes down to personal preference.
P106 Curve
The P106 is a blade pattern that you don’t really see in other brands besides Bauer. There are some curves that have some similarities, like the PM9, but nothing retail compares directly to it. The P106 is not available anymore retail, but you may still see it around on custom twigs.
It is a heel curve with an open face, making it great for shooters who prefer releasing off the heel/mid of the blade. It can also be a good option for one-timer slap shots because the curve isn’t too big so the one-timer accuracy would be increased.
The P106 is a well-known curve for saucer passes, picking up hard passes, and rising the puck to pick corners with wrist shots.
PP77 Curve
The PP77 curve is a popular blade pattern by Sherwood, some call it the P77 as the Fischer brand called it this. It is most famously known as the “Coffey curve”.
The PP77 is a huge curve when it comes to total curve depth measuring at 0.75″, the largest offered by Sherwood.
The large curve size makes it great for cradling and controlling the puck from opponents. The open face allow you to shoot higher. The best type of shots with this curve are the wrist shot and the snap shot.
W16 Curve
The W16 curve is a Warrior blade pattern and is not found in retail by other popular brands.
It has a mid-heel curve that slightly opens and a square toe. It is great for shooting the puck from the mid-heel area of the blade and is good for all types of shots including writers, snap shots, and slap shots. Backhanders can be trickier on the toe area, but only because its slightly open on the front.
The square toe is an advantage for defensemen and wingers for playing the puck directly on the boards.
- Are you looking for information on a specific curve? Ask me in the comments below, and I will get the info to you.
- Have information about a different curve we missed? Please add it to the comment section below.
- Any mistakes? Please let me know and I will fix it ASAP!
Jamie is the founder of Hockey Response and he is the chief writer/ lead editor. Jamie has been playing hockey for over 20 years. He was the defenseman of the year in NL and has played Jr A level hockey. Jamie has coached several kids hockey camps and he was the assistant coach of the Western Kings.