P88 Curve Measured: Why the "Kane Curve" Isn't Flat

Last updated: 23 October 2026

The P88 has a reputation online that's only half right. "The balanced, flat blade for beginners" – that's what almost every curve guide says, and until recently so did we. Then we put the CAD files of all 159 SOYUZ blades side by side. The result: the P88 isn't flat. It's closed. And that explains exactly why it feels the way it does.

The P88 at a glance

Measured: P88 vs P29, P92, P28, P90TM and P86

All values come from SOYUZ's production files, measured the same way as in our Curve Lab. Curve depth = how deep the blade is curved (mm). Opening = how many degrees the blade face is tilted back – the number that decides how easily the puck lifts.

* In the Lab the P92 is a CLASSIC SPR blade (SBT) and the P86 an SBO file – a slightly different construction, the basic shape is comparable. Lie is deliberately left out of the table because it depends on the blade variant.

What the numbers say

• The P88 is the most deeply curved of the big retail patterns – 13.3 mm vs 12.1 (P29) and 11.2 (P28). Calling it "flat" confuses curve with opening.
• But it's the most closed. 2.0° of opening in the middle is a third of a P29. At the toe it's 4.9° vs 11.2° – less than half. That's why the P88 doesn't lift the puck for you.
• It's short and low. 9 mm shorter than a P29 and almost 2 mm lower. Quick in the hands, slightly less surface to cover the puck.
• The heel is practically vertical (−0.2°). Passes and shots off the heel stay flat – one reason it receives passes so well.

In plain words: the P88 wraps around the puck (depth) but doesn't point it upwards (opening). That's exactly the feeling players describe as "control".

P88 vs P92 (and P29): the most common question

The two blades are compared constantly, and they really are different – not just a little.

• Shooting: The P92/P29 is three times as open. Wristers and snapshots lift on their own, top shelf comes almost for free. With the P88 you have to lift the puck yourself – in return low shots and rebound shots stay on the ice.
• Backhand: Clear win for the P88. The closed face is more predictable on the backhand.
• Passing and receiving: P88. The deep, closed blade "catches" the puck instead of letting it bounce up.
• One-timers and slap shots: Rather P92/P29. The longer, more open blade is more forgiving when the puck isn't perfectly placed.
• Switching: Going from P92/P29 to P88 usually takes about a week. Your shots get lower at first – that's not you, that's the blade.

→ Compare P88 and P92 in 3D · Compare P88 and P29 in 3D · Everything about the P29 / P92

P88 vs P28

Similarly short (276 vs 273 mm), similarly high – and still two different worlds. The P28 opens up to 11.6° at the toe and pushes the puck forward and up on release. The P88 stays at 4.9°. If you shoot quickly off the toe and love dangles, the P28 is the better fit. If you pass a lot, use your backhand or have to secure pucks in your own zone, go P88. → Compare P88 and P28 in 3D · The P28 in detail

Does Patrick Kane actually use a P88?

No – and that's why the name "Kane curve" confuses more than it helps. We had Kane's real pro stock blade in our hands: it carries the code PRO1088, descends from the old retail P10 and has a square toe, while the retail P88 is round. → The full story with photos of the real blade

In our shop the P88 is listed under the player name Quinn Hughes. As with every retail pattern, the name describes a direction, not a copy. Buy the P88 because it suits your game – not because of the name on the label.

Strengths and weaknesses

Which type of player?

• Defencemen: Low shots from the blue line that get through traffic instead of sailing over the net – plus safe outlet passes.
• Two-way centres: Faceoffs, backhand passes, protecting the puck along the boards.
• Players with strong wrists: If you can lift the puck yourself, you get the full benefit of the P88's accuracy.
• Players coming from extreme curves: Those who never got along with a P28 often end up here.
• Less suited: Players who mainly want to finish high and fast from the slot – a P29 or P28 does that more easily.

P88 +1/4 – the taller version

The P88 +1/4 measures 77.2 mm in height instead of 72.4 mm – almost 5 mm more blade surface with practically the same length, curve and opening. You feel it when covering the puck, receiving hard passes and finishing on the backhand. Brand equivalents: Bauer P88 Max · Warrior W88 Max (there is no CCM version).

With us the P88 +1/4 is a Pro Custom blade (minimum 3 sticks). → Compare P88 +1/4 and P88 in 3D · What taller blades really do

You use a CCM P40? Here's what to order

The CCM P40 is CCM's equivalent of the P88. At SOYUZ these blades come closest:

1. P88 +1/4 (Pro Custom, minimum 3 sticks)
2. P88 (Custom from 1 stick and in stock)
3. P97 (Pro Custom, left-handed only)
4. P80 (Pro Custom, left-handed only)

For most P40 players the regular P88 is the right choice because it ships right away.

When the P88 almost fits – but not quite

The most common pattern: players love the control of the P88 but want more bite when they shoot. There are two ways to get it.

• More toe: The PRO71 ("Malkin Pro") is largely a P88 from the heel, but has a toe hook in the last quarter. In the SOYUZ range the closest match is the P114 (Pro Custom). → Malkin's stick in detail
• More opening: The step to the P29 or P90TM – same mid idea, but three times as open.

Don't mix them up: the SOYUZ P71 is a pronounced toe curve (20° open at the toe) and has nothing to do with the PRO71.

The P88 compared with PM9, P92 and P28

How often do our customers order the P88?

Honest number: less than its reputation suggests. Of 270 SOYUZ player sticks between July and October 2026, 26 % were P29, 24 % P28, 11 % P86 and 9 % P92. The P88 doesn't make our top 7 – it shares the remaining 10 % with all other blades. That's not a verdict on the blade but on the market: most players today want height without effort. If you're deliberately after control, the P88 puts you in very good, small company.

Which SOYUZ suits the P88?

We offer the P88 on all seven SOYUZ models as Custom from 1 stick (production 4–6 weeks) and on the AURORA in stock.

• Ships immediately: SOYUZ AURORA in stock with P88 – low kick, 365 g, CHF 204, left and right (flex depending on stock). Order by 2 pm and it usually arrives the next day in Switzerland.
• Quick release, lots of play around the slot: ARCANE, RAPID or AURORA (low kick).
• Defencemen with lots of slap shots: MASTER FRST (mid kick) or CLASSIC SPR (high kick). The P88 fits especially well here because the low shot path gets through traffic.
• All-rounders: HIT GRIT (hybrid kick) – comparable to a CCM JetSpeed.

Flex rule of thumb: flex ≈ body weight in kg, go lower if in doubt. → Flex chart · Kick points explained

Not sure which model? Take the 2-minute Stick Finder – or look at the P88 from every angle in the 3D Curve Lab first.

👉 P88 in stock · Configure a custom stick with the P88

P88 FAQ

Is the P88 a flat curve?

No. With 13.3 mm of curve depth it is curved more than the P29 and P28. It looks flat because the face is barely open (2.0° in the middle).

What is the difference between P88 and P92?

The P92/P29 is about three times as open (6.2–6.4° instead of 2.0° in the middle) and about 11 mm longer. With the P92 shots lift on their own; the P88 shoots lower and more accurately and is stronger on the backhand.

Which CCM blade is the same as the P88?

The CCM P40. There is no CCM P88.

Does Patrick Kane use the P88?

Not the retail P88. His pro stock blade is called PRO1088 and has a square toe.

Is the P88 good for beginners?

Yes, because it doesn't hide mistakes and rewards clean handling. But if you want high shots quickly, a P29 gets you there more easily.

Is the P88 available in stock?

Yes, on the SOYUZ AURORA (low kick) in left and right, while stocks last. As a custom stick from 1 piece on all seven models.

Conclusion

The P88 isn't a flat blade, it's an honest one. It curves deep around the puck but doesn't point it upwards – so you shoot exactly where you aim, not where the blade sends you. If you value accuracy, backhand and passing over automatic lift, there's hardly a better choice.

Related guides

• The big curve guide – all patterns at a glance
• P29 / P92 measured – the same blade?
• P28 – the toe curve
• P90TM measured
• PM9 – maximum control and backhand
• Does Patrick Kane really use the P88?
• The PRO71 – a P88 with a toe hook
• Lie on a hockey stick

Andri

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Andri is a hockey stick nerd, active hockey player, and co-founder of ABSHockey.
He plays inline hockey in the National League A and ice hockey in the 4th league, sharing practical, player-driven insights on hockey sticks, materials, and performance in his articles.