Are broken sticks a problem in the modern NHL?

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

I wouldn’t think so, ya? Players use the best tools available, those are the best tools and they just come with a certain downside- they explode if touched wrong, but they’re good 99% of the time.

But- sticks are $200+ these days, right?

And for players- they get ‘em for free, or they’re actively getting paid, so it doesn’t matter at all.

But for the consumer, the market- bro, I need a stick that’ll last at least one season. I can’t have the whole stick market aimed towards whatever McDavid’s habits are.

There’s also the issue of sticks failing at key moments, but I kinda assume pros use what they use because they’re still best, but it makes me wonder- should the nhl arguably regulate sticks a bit more? Have some kinda break test, at least?

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[Hazy Little Thing]

Top of the line are $400+

Just get a Sherwood 5030 for $35 if you’re looking for bang for your buck.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Anecdotally, I feel like they’re breaking less often than they were 10 years ago?

 

[Magic 8 Ball]

I still use a wooden stick. Much more durable.

 

[Summer Rose]

I still use a wooden stick. Much more durable.

I used a wooden stick for my entire playing career. I finally shelled out for a composite stick that I got on clearance in about 2018 or so, but injuries ended my ability to play and I never got to use it on ice.

 

[Flukeshot]

Obviously it would be impossible to tell, but I am curious how many goals or at least quality chances are lost each year from broken sticks. Or turnovers caused by them.

Then conversely how many goals are scored because of them, as in increased velocity.

I really would guess they've been an overall negative impact.

 

[Norwegianoiler]

Jarret Stoll and Marc-Andre Bergeron broke more sticks in a single game than I've seen a whole team do in a season during recent years. Completely anecdotal and fully down availability heuristic lane, but there it is.

 

[Number8]

I wouldn’t think so, ya? Players use the best tools available, those are the best tools and they just come with a certain downside- they explode if touched wrong, but they’re good 99% of the time.

But- sticks are $200+ these days, right?

And for players- they get ‘em for free, or they’re actively getting paid, so it doesn’t matter at all.

But for the consumer, the market- bro, I need a stick that’ll last at least one season. I can’t have the whole stick market aimed towards whatever McDavid’s habits are.

There’s also the issue of sticks failing at key moments, but I kinda assume pros use what they use because they’re still best, but it makes me wonder- should the nhl arguably regulate sticks a bit more? Have some kinda break test, at least?

Not sure what the NHL should do (except with FOUR officials on the ice - clear the f***ing broken sticks out of the way). But as far as kids go, it's insane.

I think kids leagues should put a cap on what kids can play with. Never going to happen, I know. But it's more the point.

Little chubby Johnny isn't going to be a better hockey player because his parent's drop $250 on a stick -- anymore than he's going to bat .400 and smoke homers every game because he has a $500 baseball bat.

I'm learning to play the guitar. I suck. Need to practice and learn over and over and even then will probably be just so so. If I go out and buy a $2,000 Taylor guitar I suspect the same result.

 

[cptjeff]

Anecdotally, I feel like they’re breaking less often than they were 10 years ago?

They absolutely are. Stick makers are making them more durable instead of chasing every last gram, and NHLers have options for custom sturdier versions as well, similar to the guys in the past who used to get the old Easton STs that were painted as whatever the latest model was. It's really become far less of a problem.

 

[Reindl87]

Not in the NHL, but obviously on the lower lovels. Hockey has simply become incredibly expensive to play.
And the sticks are one element of that.

 

[jaywills1020]

Not sure what the NHL should do (except with FOUR officials on the ice - clear the f***ing broken sticks out of the way). But as far as kids go, it's insane.

I think kids leagues should put a cap on what kids can play with. Never going to happen, I know. But it's more the point.

Little chubby Johnny isn't going to be a better hockey player because his parent's drop $250 on a stick -- anymore than he's going to bat .400 and smoke homers every game because he has a $500 baseball bat.

I'm learning to play the guitar. I suck. Need to practice and learn over and over and even then will probably be just so so. If I go out and buy a $2,000 Taylor guitar I suspect the same result.

Not sure what the NHL should do (except with FOUR officials on the ice - clear the f***ing broken sticks out of the way). But as far as kids go, it's insane.

I think kids leagues should put a cap on what kids can play with. Never going to happen, I know. But it's more the point.

Little chubby Johnny isn't going to be a better hockey player because his parent's drop $250 on a stick -- anymore than he's going to bat .400 and smoke homers every game because he has a $500 baseball bat.

I'm learning to play the guitar. I suck. Need to practice and learn over and over and even then will probably be just so so. If I go out and buy a $2,000 Taylor guitar I suspect the same result.

That $400 stick absolutely makes a difference. You have a better feel with the puck on your stick, your shot will definitely improve etc. If chubby johnny sucks and his parents spend 4 bills on a stick then that’s on them. No reason to cap anything. If the parents can afford it they’re gonna buy it.

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

Obviously it would be impossible to tell, but I am curious how many goals or at least quality chances are lost each year from broken sticks. Or turnovers caused by them.

Then conversely how many goals are scored because of them, as in increased velocity.

I really would guess they've been an overall negative impact.

The year he won the Lady Byng, Ryan O'Reilly lost his bid at a 0 PIM season in game 72 of the season after his stick broke on the faceoff and he played the puck with it before he noticed it had broken.

And I'm pretty sure modern sticks have had an overwhelmingly positive impact for the only people who really matter. More sticks being sold at higher prices = more money.

 

[StrompTroller]

The year he won the Lady Byng, Ryan O'Reilly lost his bid at a 0 PIM season in game 72 of the season after his stick broke on the faceoff and he played the puck with it before he noticed it had broken.

And I'm pretty sure modern sticks have had an overwhelmingly positive impact for the only people who really matter. More sticks being sold at higher prices = more money.

I whole heartedly believe this was when he lost his love for hockey and Buffalo had nothing to do with it....

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

...just go back to wooden sticks...

 

[Neil Racki]

Jarret Stoll and Marc-Andre Bergeron broke more sticks in a single game than I've seen a whole team do in a season during recent years. Completely anecdotal and fully down availability heuristic lane, but there it is.

Ive never ever seen or heard this word before.

What a cool f***ing word and meaning.

Thank you Oiler fan by way of Norway

adjective
adjective: heuristic

1. 1.
   enabling someone to discover or learn something for themselves.
   "a “hands-on” or interactive heuristic approach to learning"
   
   
2. 2.
   Computing
   proceeding to a solution by trial and error or by rules that are only loosely defined.
   

noun
noun: heuristic; plural noun: heuristics

1. a heuristic process or method

 

[Breakers]

Tyler Kennedy former NHL’er did a I guess maybe a TikTok or Instagram video that went viral or something recently.

Just talking about how easy sticks break, but the feel and composite materials are next level
But $400 for stick at the store he showed is flat out insane

 

[Brodeur]

I wouldn’t think so, ya? Players use the best tools available, those are the best tools and they just come with a certain downside- they explode if touched wrong, but they’re good 99% of the time.

But- sticks are $200+ these days, right?

And for players- they get ‘em for free, or they’re actively getting paid, so it doesn’t matter at all.

I remember reading an article circa 2005 (as one piece composites had become the norm) that teams got sticks for wholesale prices but because of durability issues some teams were like $50,000 over budget.

I can't imagine the NHL would do it, but I always wondered what it would look like if they did what the MLB does. In college baseball they use composite bats but MLB you have to use wood.

I'm mostly stuck in net in my beer league nowadays but I always enjoyed getting a good deal on a composite stick. If something was good enough for a pro 3 years ago, it's probably more than I need now.

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

I whole heartedly believe this was when he lost his love for hockey and Buffalo had nothing to do with it....

As someone who has been to Buffalo quite a few times, and whose father and sister both went to UB, you'll have to excuse me for having some questions about your claim...

 

[StrompTroller]

As someone who has been to Buffalo quite a few times, and whose father and sister both went to UB, you'll have to excuse me for having some questions about your claim...

As someone from Rochester who has been to Buffalo more times than i can count, and briefly went to Daemen before going back to Brockport.....well....the bars are open until 4am! And there was a place on Main street that had a 10 dollar cover charge for all you can drink Busch light so clearly I'm a sophisticated expert on matters here. Then again....

He seemed to enjoy the Tim Horton's until it hit back.....

 

[TGWL]

Yes, they're a problem with non-NHL players that pay for $300+ for sticks. No, you can't have a break test. Sticks are made with Carbon fiber. They're lighter and flex better than ever. Adding more Kevlar isn't going to prevent the stick from snapping. Forget pros, most players who used a top of the line stick don't want more weight added. I think we've found a decent spot (at least for a while we did), where you had some lightweight and durability and didn't need to drop down to 325grams.

Wingers get tied up on the faceoff and players get whack happy. Centers have to deal with their sticks getting whacked ever puck drop. They're going to break. Fans only see the break happen on the shot or pass, but that stick was most likely already going.

Some shooters have changed the way they shoot to get the most out of the stick. The approach of using your body weight shifted/activating are became secondary and an added bonus to 1-2 punch/pull method some players are using.

 

[JMCx4]

Ive never ever seen or heard this word before.

What a cool f***ing word and meaning.

Thank you Oiler fan by way of Norway

adjective
adjective: heuristic

1. 1.
   enabling someone to discover or learn something for themselves.
   "a “hands-on” or interactive heuristic approach to learning"
   
   
2. 2.
   Computing
   proceeding to a solution by trial and error or by rules that are only loosely defined.

noun
noun: heuristic; plural noun: heuristics

1. a heuristic process or method

Wait...WHAT???...I thought learning was expressly prohibited by HFBoards Terms & Rules!

 

[DtP5000]

It would be nice to have a sturdier stick available for PK and holding a one goal lead late situations, although watching a player skate around without a stick is occasionally entertaining.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Lower end sticks seem more durable. I’ve broken every top of the line stick I’ve owned except my most recent one, but rarely broke the lower end ones maybe because higher end ones are willing to sacrifice durability for the best performance possible, cheaper sticks are a lot heavier

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

As someone from Rochester who has been to Buffalo more times than i can count, and briefly went to Daemen before going back to Brockport.....well....the bars are open until 4am! And there was a place on Main street that had a 10 dollar cover charge for all you can drink Busch light so clearly I'm a sophisticated expert on matters here. Then again....

He seemed to enjoy the Tim Horton's until it hit back.....

I'd be willing to bet that I probably went to that place when visiting my sister, but can't really remember those trips very clearly for some reason.

I do remember the garbage plates in Rochester though. My wife thinks I'm crazy because I want to try to recreate it at home.

 

[StrompTroller]

I'd be willing to bet that I probably went to that place when visiting my sister, but can't really remember those trips very clearly for some reason.

I do remember the garbage plates in Rochester though. My wife thinks I'm crazy because I want to try to recreate it at home.

you can do it at home but it just never hits the same unless you have a bangin' homemade meat hot sauce recipe....