Ambidextrous players using a flat blade?

[CherryToke]

Will we ever see this in the NHL again?

I know Gordie Howe did it, not sure about anyone else.

It could be a huge advantage for players. I imagine it would completely **** with goalies having players switch hands during the game.

 

[Constable]

Will we ever see this in the NHL again?

I know Gordie Howe did it, not sure about anyone else.

It could be a huge advantage for players. I imagine it would completely **** with goalies having players switch hands during the game.

You wont ever see a amazing offesive player ever do that again. If its perfectly flat its much harder to get lift on it.

 

[authentic]

I would say absolutely not.

 

[1989]

Be the best at one thing instead of above-average at two.

 

[Hansen]

The advantage of the blade curve is moreso than being able to switch at will I think.

Closest you'll get is on dangles when you can make it work, Ehlers did it the best I've seen:

 

[El Travo]

Highly, highly doubt it. Any form of creativity or uniqueness is beaten out of kids at an early age when it comes to hockey.

 

[Master Scheif]

The advantage of the blade curve is moreso than being able to switch at will I think.

Closest you'll get is on dangles when you can make it work, Ehlers did it the best I've seen:

That video was the first thing I thought of when I saw the thread title. Just unreal.

To answer the question, I don't think we'll ever see a player that fits that description. Would be really interesting though.

 

[Hansen]

That video was the first thing I thought of when I saw the thread title. Just unreal.

To answer the question, I don't think we'll ever see a player that fits that description. Would be really interesting though.

Todd Bertuzzi is ambidextrous and was able to play both hands but he focused lefty. Like someone else said its better to work as much as you can with one way rather than trying to balance.

In Lacrosse however being able to play both sides is recommended training once youre able to have the coordination to play properly with one side

 

[AD1066]

I don't think it would be an advantage today. You'd be giving up way more ability on the forehand than you'd gain on the backhand.

 

[Jacob]

I don't think it would be an advantage today. You'd be giving up way more ability on the forehand than you'd gain on the backhand.

Exactly.

A vast majority of plays (passes, shots, chips, deflections, etc.) are made on the forehand. It wouldn't make sense to have a blade that benefits you equally on forehand and backhand when like, 80% of the plays you make are forehand.

 

[ZJuice]

I tried this when I was in tier 4 (the highest you could go without paying more money) and I just could not shoot as hard or accurately

 

[trollytrackz]

Yes, the stone age offered many great benefits

 

[Coily]

Why?

 

[Scrub*]

Crosby's is really flat. Doug Gilmour was the same way, can't recall any others at the moment.

 

[Frosty415]

What if they initiated a league wide rule that would ban curved blades?

Who would be the best on just a straight good ol stick

 

[McNurse]

What if they initiated a league wide rule that would ban curved blades?

Who would be the best on just a straight good ol stick

Crosby, his blade is pretty flat as is

 

[Porn*]

Doug Gilmour had a flat blade. Made for a great backhand

 

[TrillMike]

I don't really see it being an advantage other than rare dangles and daring shootout attempts.

 

[Daz28]

I could be wrong, but I think Gretz didn't have a huge curve on his.

 

[David Bruce Banner]

Can't see a forward using one, but maybe a defenceman.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Will we ever see this in the NHL again?

I know Gordie Howe did it, not sure about anyone else.

It could be a huge advantage for players. I imagine it would completely **** with goalies having players switch hands during the game.

The thing is though, Gordie Howe's career started before NHL players started curving their blades.

Even a fully ambidextrous player in 2016 would just choose a side to play from, and have curved blades accordingly. At most, maybe he keeps both lefty and righty sticks on the bench so he can switch sides from one shift to the next.

 

[Chaels Arms]

I've always wondered if you could ever see a "switch shooter" in the NHL like in baseball. I get the downside of losing the curve wouldn't be worth being able to switch at will but what about switching shooting sides in certain situations or just based on roster need? I watch the Rangers and for a long time Dan Boyle was getting first unit PP time for no other reason than he's a right handed shooter. I just wonder if you'll ever see someone just say hey, I'll use a righty stick and be the one-time threat on the PP even if they usually play lefty.

 

[Mount Suribachi]

Crosby's is really flat. Doug Gilmour was the same way, can't recall any others at the moment.

Yeah Datsyuk looks like he plays with a friggin goalie stick, enormous flat blade. Interesting that the 2 players with the best backhands have sticks like that...

 

[Samuel Culper III]

The advantage of the curve on your preferred side is greater than the advantage of being able to switch hands.

 

[Samuel Culper III]

Yeah Datsyuk looks like he plays with a friggin goalie stick, enormous flat blade. Interesting that the 2 players with the best backhands have sticks like that...

Neither player's curve is actually flat though. What you're referring to is an open toe pattern, not an actually flat blade. Datsyuk very clearly uses the curve of his blade to his advantage on many of his slick dangles. I'm not saying he uses a huge curve by any means but he wouldn't be able to do a lot of what he does with a truly flat stick. An open toe pattern looks flat from about 1/4-1/3 of the way from the heel onward, but there is still a curve and different players have different amounts.