Hockey Stick Blade Guide 2026: Which Curve Is Right for You?
Hockey Stick Blade Guide 2026: Which Curve Is Right for You?
Your hockey stick blade affects everything – your passing, your shooting, your stickhandling and your shot feel. Many players underestimate this and simply buy what their favourite pro uses. That's often a mistake.
In this guide we show you which hockey stick curve fits your playing style – whether you're a beginner, a seasoned player, or a true stick nerd who knows every curve by heart.
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Table of Contents
- 30-Second Decision: Which Blade Is Right for You?
- Heel, Mid, Toe – What Does It Mean?
- All SOYUZ BC Standard Blades Overview
- Pro Custom Blades – All Models
- Comparison with Bauer, CCM, Warrior, True, Sherwood
- The Right Lie Angle
- The Most Common Mistakes When Choosing a Blade
- Which Blade Do NHL Pros Use?
- FAQ
🎯 30-Second Decision: Which Blade Is Right for You?
No time for the full guide? Here's the short version:
| Your Playing Style | Recommended Blade | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner or unsure | P92 | Versatile, forgiving, most popular blade worldwide |
| Lots of passing, playmaker, backhand matters | P88 | Very controlled, comfortable backhand, Patrick Kane's blade |
| All-round with modern feel | P90TM | McDavid's blade, versatile, slightly more neutral than P92 |
| Sniper, quick release, toe drag | P28 | Aggressive toe, explosive release, Eichel/Giroux blade |
| Between P92 and P28, modern-offensive | P86-B | Hybrid blade, more toe than P92 but more control than P28, Celebrini's blade |
| Defenseman, slap shots, long passes | P91DN | Mid-heel, powerful one-timers, physical play |
| Classic defenseman, old-school slapper | P05 | Heel curve, long blade, Lidström/Kronwall blade |
| More surface for faceoffs / tip-ins | P92M | P92 base with more height, Pettersson/Tkachuk blade |
Our default recommendation if you're really unsure: P92. It's the best starting point for most players and one of the most widely used blades in the world.
Heel, Mid, Toe – What Does It Mean?
Before diving into the individual blades, a quick look at the basics. The blade type describes where on the blade the curve is strongest.
Heel Curve – Curve at the back
The curve starts close to the shaft. Typical for defensemen: powerful slap shots, long precise passes, plenty of surface for stable puck reception. Examples: P05, P91DN.
Mid Curve – Curve in the middle
The curve sits in the middle of the blade. Creates a good balance between passing, shooting and control – which is why it's so popular with all-round players. Examples: P92, P88, P90TM.
Toe Curve – Curve at the front
The curve sits further forward in the toe area. Favours quick releases, toe drags and explosive offensive play – but more demanding on the backhand. Examples: P28, P28M.
All SOYUZ BC Standard Blades Overview
SOYUZ BC offers a wide range of standard blades – available from 1 stick. Here you'll find all models with description, player reference and a clear recommendation.
P92 – The Classic
Type: Mid-Toe | Lie: 6 | Known Players: Matthews, Backström, Sakic
The P92 is the most widely used blade in the world – and for good reason. It offers a balanced mix of passing, shooting and stickhandling. Neither too offensive nor too neutral. Ideal for beginners, still excellent for advanced players.
✔️ All-round players ✔️ Beginners to advanced ✔️ Centers ✔️ Wingers
Comparable to: P92 (Bauer) / P29 (CCM)
P92M – P92 with More Surface
Type: Mid-Toe | Lie: 6 | Known Players: Pettersson, Tkachuk
Same shape as the P92, but with a little more blade height. That gives more surface for tip-ins, faceoffs and deflections in front of the net. If you like the P92 feel but want more blade surface, this is your blade.
✔️ Centers with lots of net-front work ✔️ Faceoff specialists ✔️ Deflection specialists
Comparable to: P92M (Bauer) / P29M (CCM)
P88 – Control and Backhand
Type: Mid | Lie: 6 | Known Players: Patrick Kane
The P88 is the blade for playmakers and technically strong players. Very controlled, comfortable backhand, strong passing. Less explosive than the P28, but significantly more forgiving. Also an excellent choice for beginners.
✔️ Playmakers ✔️ Beginners ✔️ Backhand-oriented players ✔️ Wingers with a technical style
Comparable to: P88 (Bauer / CCM)
P90TM – Modern and Versatile
Type: Mid | Lie: 5 | Known Players: Connor McDavid, John Tavares, Jamie Benn
The P90TM is Connor McDavid's blade – and that pretty much says it all. Very versatile, modern feel, great balance between passing and shooting. Slightly more neutral than the P92, making it especially comfortable for players who work a lot on both hands.
✔️ All-round players ✔️ Modern playing style ✔️ Centers and wingers ✔️ Players who want to combine control and release
Comparable to: P90TM (Bauer / CCM)
P28 – For Snipers and Quick-Release Players
Type: Toe | Lie: 5 | Known Players: Jack Eichel, Claude Giroux
The P28 is one of the most popular offensive blades of recent years. Aggressive toe, explosive release, perfect for toe drags and quick wrist shots. Requires clean technique though – not the first choice for beginners, as the backhand becomes more demanding.
✔️ Offensive players ✔️ Snipers ✔️ Toe-drag players ❌ Not ideal for beginners
Comparable to: P28 (Bauer / CCM)
P28M – P28 with Even More Surface
Type: Toe | Lie: 5
The more uncompromising version of the P28. More height, more surface, even more specialised. Can help with one-timers and certain finishes, but is even more demanding in terms of control. For players who know exactly what they want.
✔️ One-timer specialists ✔️ Snipers ❌ Requires good puck control
Comparable to: P28M (Bauer / CCM)
P86-B – The Hybrid Between P92 and P28
Type: Mid-Toe (Hybrid) | Lie: 6–6.5 | Known Players: Often associated with Auston Matthews and Macklin Celebrini
The P86-B fills the gap between P92 and P28. At the heel it feels like a P92 – controlled, comfortable, familiar. Towards the toe it gets more aggressive and shot-oriented. The result: a modern offensive blade that isn't as extreme as a pure toe curve. For many P92 players, the most natural next step.
✔️ Modern offensive players ✔️ Players who want more than P92 but find P28 too extreme ✔️ Toe drags ✔️ Quick releases
Comparable to: P86 (CCM)
P91DN – For Defensemen and Slap-Shot Artists
Type: Mid-Heel | Lie: 6 | Known Players: Staal, Drury
The P91DN is built for physical, powerful play. Mid-heel blade with a focus on slap shots, one-timers from the blue line and physical defensive play. Gives you lots of pressure on the shot, but less agile in tight situations.
✔️ Defensemen ✔️ Slap-shot specialists ✔️ Powerful one-timers ✔️ Physical playing style
Comparable to: P91A (Bauer) / P06, P15 (CCM)
P05 – The Classic Defender Blade
Type: Heel | Lie: 7 | Known Players: Lidström, Kronwall
Long, flat heel curve with a square toe. Lots of blade surface, stable puck reception, ideal for long passes and slap shots from the blue line. One of the most classic defender blades ever – less suitable for offensive forwards.
✔️ Classic defensemen ✔️ Slap shots ✔️ Long, precise passes ✔️ Taller players
Comparable to: formerly P02 (Bauer) / P20 (CCM)
SOYUZ Pro Custom Blades – All Models
In addition to the standard blades, SOYUZ BC offers over 30 Pro Custom Blades – available from 3 sticks. These blades are manufactured to your exact specs and cover a wide range of playing styles – from rare pro blades to very specific curves no longer available from standard brands.
⚠️ Some models are only available as LH (Left Hand) or RH (Right Hand).
👉 Interested? Write to us – we'll advise you on Pro Custom Blades.
| Technical Drawing | Model | Availability |
|---|---|---|
 |
P78-ST | LH only |
|
P92M-SBT | LH & RH |
 |
P22-ST | LH only |
 |
P29 | LH & RH |
 |
P27 | LH only |
 |
P6SR-ST | LH only |
 |
P19Y-ST | RH only |
 |
P18K | LH only |
 |
P42 | LH only |
 |
P7TK | LH & RH |
 |
P9 | LH & RH |
 |
P90M | LH & RH |
 |
P71 | LH only |
 |
P29M | LH & RH |
 |
P21 | RH only |
 |
P13 | LH & RH |
 |
P8TM-SBT | LH & RH |
 |
P32 | LH & RH |
 |
P33 | RH only |
 |
P35 | LH only |
Hockey Blade Comparison: SOYUZ BC vs. Bauer, CCM, Warrior, True, Sherwood
Already playing a specific blade from another brand and want to know which SOYUZ model matches? This table helps.
| SOYUZ BC | CCM | Bauer | Warrior | True | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P92 | P29 | P92 | W03 | TC2 | PP26 |
| P92M | P29M | P92M | M03 | PP92MX | |
| P28 | P28 | P28 | W28 | TC4 | PP28 |
| P28M | P28M | P28M | M28 | PP28MX | |
| P90TM | P90 / P90TM | P90TM | |||
| P88 | P88 | W88 | MC | PP88 | |
| P91DN | P15 / P6 / P38 | P91A | W05 | HCR | P20 |
| P05 | P20 | formerly P02 | W02 | HCS | PP05 |
| P86-B | P86 |
The Right Lie Angle on a Hockey Stick
The lie angle describes the angle between the blade and the shaft. It has a big impact on whether the blade lies flat on the ice in your natural playing stance – and that's crucial for puck control and passing accuracy.
| Player Stance | Recommended Lie |
|---|---|
| Upright, stick close to body | Lie 6–7 |
| Normal playing stance | Lie 5–6 |
| Deep crouch, stick far from body | Lie 4–5 |
Simple test: Get into your normal playing stance and check whether the blade lies completely flat on the ice. Toe lifts up → lie too low. Heel lifts up → lie too high.
The Most Common Mistakes When Choosing a Hockey Stick Blade
❌ Choosing a blade because of an NHL pro
Just because Connor McDavid uses the P90TM doesn't mean it suits you. NHL pros have completely different technique, skill level and requirements. Choose the blade for your playing style – not for the name on the data sheet.
❌ Going straight for a toe curve as a beginner
P28, P28M and similar toe blades are offensively strong, but more demanding on the backhand and in general control. Start with P92 or P88 – and switch when you know what you want.
❌ Ignoring the lie angle
Even the perfect blade performs poorly if the lie is wrong. If the blade doesn't lie flat on the ice, everything suffers – puck control, passing, shooting.
❌ Not comparing enough
Test different blades with teammates or in the locker room when possible. Often you only discover what really works on the ice.
Which Hockey Stick Blade Do the Best NHL Players Use?
This pie chart shows which blades the top-50 NHL point scorers use. The P92 clearly dominates – followed by P28 and P90TM.
Source: Reddit r/hockeyplayers
Important: These numbers are interesting as a reference – but they should never be the sole reason for your choice. What matters is what suits your game.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Hockey Stick Blades and Curves
Which hockey stick blade is best for beginners?
The P92 is the best choice for most beginners. It's versatile, forgiving and the most widely used blade in the world. The P88 is also excellent – especially if passing and backhand matter to you.
What's the difference between P92 and P28?
The P92 is a mid-toe blade with a balanced mix of shooting, passing and control. The P28 is an aggressive toe blade – better for quick releases and toe drags, but more demanding on the backhand and less suitable for beginners.
Which blade is good for defensemen?
Classic defensemen often go for P05 (heel curve, long blade) or P91DN (mid-heel, slap shots). More offensive defensemen also often play P90TM or P92M.
What are SOYUZ Pro Custom Blades?
Pro Custom Blades are specially manufactured blades to your exact specs – available from 3 sticks. SOYUZ offers over 30 different models, including many rare pro blades no longer available from other brands. Write to us for more info.
What does the lie angle mean on a hockey stick?
The lie angle describes the angle between blade and shaft. If the lie doesn't match your playing stance, the blade won't lie flat on the ice – which hurts puck control and passing regardless of the curve.
Which blade for quick wrist shots?
Toe blades like P28 or P28M are ideal for quick releases and snapshots. The P86-B also offers a modern shot feel with more control than a pure toe blade.
Is the P28 suitable for beginners?
Not really as a first choice. The P28 is offensively strong, but more demanding on the backhand and in control. For beginners we recommend P92 or P88 as a starting point.
Which hockey stick blade for backhand passes?
Flatter mid or heel blades like P88 or P05 offer a larger and more controllable contact surface on the backhand. Extreme toe blades like P28 make backhand passes harder.
Conclusion: Which Hockey Stick Blade Is Right for You?
The right hockey stick blade isn't a question of the right brand name – it's a question of the right playing style. As a rough guide:
- P92 – safest choice for most players
- P88 – control, backhand, playmakers
- P90TM – modern, versatile, McDavid's blade
- P28 / P28M – snipers, quick release, toe drag
- P86-B – hybrid between P92 and P28
- P91DN / P05 – defensemen, slap shots, classic play
- Pro Custom Blades – over 30 models from 3 sticks for every playing style
Still unsure? Write to us directly – we'll help you personally find the right SOYUZ BC blade.
Further info on sticks and blades can also be found at The Stick Guru.
