P92 / P29 Curve Explained: Hockey's Most Versatile Pattern
The P92 / P29 is the most popular and most versatile blade curve in hockey – the pattern you can hardly go wrong with. It brings together the stars on both sides of the pond: on the Bauer side, Auston Matthews plays a P92, while on the CCM side Nathan MacKinnon and Nico Hischier play a P29 – two names, the same profile. But is this all-round curve the right one for you? In this guide we break the P92/P29 down completely: technique, feel, strengths, weaknesses, comparisons with the P28 and P88 – plus a self-check that tells you in 30 seconds whether it suits your game.
What exactly is the P92 / P29?
The P92/P29 is the classic mid curve with an open face and a round toe. The curve sits in the middle of the blade – not at the toe like the P28. That makes it the ultimate all-rounder: good for shooting, excellent for passing, strong for handling. Good to know: "P92" is the Bauer name and "P29" the CCM name – they mean practically the same profile. At SOYUZ you get the P29 on every model (the P92 not on all of them), making it our most-chosen standard curve.
| Property | P92 / P29 |
|---|---|
| Curve type | Mid curve |
| Face | Open |
| Toe shape | Round |
| Curve depth | Medium |
| Lie | 5.5 |
| Ideal for | Shooting, passing, handling – the all-rounder |
| NHL reference | Matthews (P92); MacKinnon, Hischier (P29) |
The technique behind the curve
To understand why the P92/P29 works so universally, it's worth looking at three features:
1. Mid curve. Because the curve sits centrally, you have a lot of contact surface under the puck – that gives control on shots and passes and makes the pattern far more forgiving than a pure toe curve.
2. Open face. The open face helps you lift the puck quickly and high. Ideal for fast wrist shots and saucer passes – in return, the backhand and pass reception take a little practice.
3. Round toe. The round toe makes stickhandling and small moves comfortable – not quite as extreme as the P28, but very balanced.
If you want to dig deeper into lie, face and curve depth, you'll find everything in our guide "Which blade is right for me?".
How does the P92 / P29 play on the ice?
The great strength of the P92/P29 is that it has almost no weaknesses. It's not a specialist – it's very good at nearly everything. Here's how we rate the individual disciplines:
Rated by the ABSHockey team based on blade geometry and hands-on feedback. 5 = outstanding, 1 = weak.
Who is the P92 / P29 ideal for – and who not?
The honest answer: the P92/P29 suits almost everyone. If you're unsure which curve to pick, it's the safest choice – from beginner to pro, forward or defenseman.
| ✅ The P92/P29 suits you if … | ❌ Probably not if … |
|---|---|
| you want a versatile all-round curve | you prefer a completely neutral, flat face |
| you shoot and pass in equal measure | you play almost entirely on your backhand |
| you're unsure and want to make few mistakes | you're after extreme toe drags & dangles (→ P28) |
| you want a curve available on every SOYUZ | you need maximally hard, flat slap shots (→ P88) |
🏒 Self-check: which type of player are you?
Expand the type that fits you best – and see whether the P92/P29 is your curve:
🎯 "I'm unsure – I just want a curve that does everything well"
Perfect, the P92/P29 is your match. It's the most versatile curve of all and the safest choice. Configure a SOYUZ with P29 →
🎬 "I'm a playmaker – build-up play & precise passing"
Top choice. For saucer passes and precise passing the P92/P29 is outstanding.
🎯 "I'm a sniper & dangler – toe drags & the quickest release"
Borderline. The P92/P29 shoots superbly, but for extreme toe drags and the very quickest release the P28 is more specialized.
🧊 "I'm a defenseman – hard, flat slap shots & a reliable backhand"
Possible, but check the P88. If flat slap shots and the backhand matter most to you, the neutral P88 is often the better choice.
The P92 / P29 compared to other top curves
No curve exists in a vacuum. Here's how the P92/P29 stacks up against the two other most-played profiles:
| Feature | P92 / P29 | P28 | P88 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curve type | Mid | Toe | Mid |
| Face | Open | Open | Neutral |
| Release speed | Fast | Very fast | Medium |
| Backhand | Decent | Demanding | Very good |
| Difficulty | Medium | High | Low |
| Ideal for | All-rounders | Snipers & danglers | Backhand & beginners |
P92/P29 vs. P28
Both have an open face, but the curve sits in a different place: central on the P92/P29, at the toe on the P28. The result: the P28 is more specialized for the quickest release, toe drags and dangles, but more demanding on the backhand. The P92/P29 is more versatile, more forgiving and better at passing. In short: P28 = specialized sniper, P92/P29 = complete all-rounder.
P92/P29 vs. P88
The P88 (Kane) has a neutral face – giving a top backhand and even more control on flat shots. With its open face the P92/P29 is more offensively oriented: a faster, higher release and better puck elevation. If you want maximum control and backhand, take the P88; if you want more offensive threat, the P92/P29.
Advantages of the P92 / P29 at a glance
- The most versatile curve of all – almost no weaknesses
- Excellent for shooting and passing (especially saucer passes)
- More forgiving than a pure toe curve – suitable for beginners too
- Available on every SOYUZ model (as the P29)
Possible downsides
- The open face takes some practice on the backhand and pass reception
- For extreme toe drags & the quickest release the P28 is more specialized
- For maximally flat, hard slap shots the neutral P88 has the edge
How to configure your SOYUZ with a P29 curve
At ABSHockey you build your stick fully to measure – including the P29 curve, available on every model. After the curve you decide on the two other big variables:
👉 Flex: How much stiffness suits your weight and shooting style? Our flex guide explains it.
👉 Length: Find the right stick length in our length guide.
👉 Overview: All specs in a nutshell in the ABSHockey stick guide.
Ready for your P29?
Configure your SOYUZ in Senior, Intermediate, Junior or Youth – curve, flex, length and lettering all up to you.
Configure SOYUZ Senior → Intermediate JuniorOur verdict on the P92 / P29
The P92/P29 is the most popular curve in the world for good reason: it does almost everything very well and hardly makes mistakes. For anyone looking for a reliable all-round curve – from beginner to pro – it's the safest choice. If you have a very specific game, the specialized P28 (toe/dangles) or the neutral P88 (backhand/control) make the better complement. When in doubt: with the P92/P29 you're almost always right.
Frequently asked questions about the P92 / P29
Are the P92 and P29 the same?
Practically yes. "P92" is the Bauer name, "P29" the CCM name for the same mid profile with an open face. At SOYUZ it runs as the P29 and is available on every model.
Is the P92/P29 suitable for beginners?
Yes, very much so. It's more forgiving than a pure toe curve and covers all the basic techniques – the ideal first curve. Only the neutral P88 is even more gentle on the backhand.
What's the difference between the P92/P29 and the P28?
The P92/P29 is a mid curve (central curve, versatile), the P28 a toe curve (curve at the toe, specialized for a quick release and dangles).
Which flex suits the P92/P29?
The curve doesn't change your flex choice – that depends on weight, height and shooting style. Details in the flex guide.
Is the P92/P29 good for slap shots?
Yes, decent – thanks to the central curve it's better than a pure toe curve. For maximally flat, hard slap shots the neutral P88 has the edge, though.
