Sticks for defensemen?

[jazzykat]

IMO, the only thing that matters in the end is what you like and what you can afford however I notice that more and more sticks are low kick and most of the blade curves seem to be optimized for forwards.

My questions:
1. Do D-men primarily still use mid-kick sticks or are they using low kick?
2. Are the 2 Dman blade patterns adequate for playing D or are you guys buying say a Sakic/Hall curve and playing D with it?

The reason I ask this, is that there is a huge shift towards lower kickpoints and the mid-kick selection seems to decrease each season.

 

[AIREAYE]

It's all personal preference, there are no such things as sticks made for forwards or D/"D-man curves" and as such, you won't hear of any trend.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Traditionally, D-men want to use a longer stick with a longer blade to maximize their reach for breaking passing plays and poke checking.
The kick point doesn't really matter, it's all personal preference, although I'd use a mid-kick for optimal power in the slap shot. A quick release from the point is a bit useless.

 

[jazzykat]

Thanks for the replies. I'm still learning and will continue to buy/try different curves but my main stick for now is a low kick point with a sakic curve. It makes clearing the puck easier and hard long passes easier and more accurate.

I am still learning to take a slapshot so it's good enought for that too, since I might take 2 shots a game (maximum) but I make lots of passes and clears.

 

[leftwinger37]

I started out playing D, played forward for a number of years, an I'm now back to playing D a majority of the time. I use the exact same sticks I used as a forward; the only adjustment that I have made is adding between .5 to 1 inch to the length. No matter what your position, I feel you should always choose a stick based on the strengths of your game and the types of shots you take most frequently.

 

[Sean Garrity]

The only thing that I prefer when playing defense is a square toe because I find it easier to pick up pucks along the boards, especially on the backhand side. I prefer the Datsyuk or Hedman curve, but like others have mentioned, it's due to personal preference.

 

[AIREAYE]

Traditionally, D-men want to use a longer stick with a longer blade to maximize their reach for breaking passing plays and poke checking.
The kick point doesn't really matter, it's all personal preference, although I'd use a mid-kick for optimal power in the slap shot. A quick release from the point is a bit useless.

Useless? if you're being pressured from their wing and need to get a quick dump in or shot off?

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Useless? if you're being pressured from their wing and need to get a quick dump in or shot off?

Quick release is only used to deceive the goalie at close range. Dumping the puck is equally done with a mid kick or a low kick. I've never seen someone beat the goalie clean from the blue line with a quick release snap shot.

 

[AIREAYE]

Quick release describes the loading and unloading of a stick to give the puck a greater acceleration right off the motion. This includes sending passes as well as shots and not just solely snap shots on net. Kick points affect more than just the type of shots.

 

[leftwinger37]

If you're not getting off your shots and passes quickly from the point, you're not even succeeding at being a decoy on offense. When you're taking your time to load up a big shot or otherwise give the opposition time, they're going to square up to block and the goalie is probably going to be ready for it if it gets through. This has less to do with kick points than it has to do with fundamentals; defensemen move the puck in the defensive and the offensive zone. If you're not getting shots and passes off quickly then you're slowing down your entire team's flow and severely limiting your own opportunities.

 

[KuralySnipes]

I am a left winger that switched to defense because my coach asked me too. I have a short stick with a light flex because of the LW position, I don't have enough money to buy a new stick, we'll see how it goes.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Quick release describes the loading and unloading of a stick to give the puck a greater acceleration right off the motion. This includes sending passes as well as shots and not just solely snap shots on net. Kick points affect more than just the type of shots.

Trust me, having a mid kick stick won't slow you down enough to make a difference.
Otherwise you wouldn't see any NHL defenseman using mid kick sticks.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

If you're not getting off your shots and passes quickly from the point, you're not even succeeding at being a decoy on offense. When you're taking your time to load up a big shot or otherwise give the opposition time, they're going to square up to block and the goalie is probably going to be ready for it if it gets through. This has less to do with kick points than it has to do with fundamentals; defensemen move the puck in the defensive and the offensive zone. If you're not getting shots and passes off quickly then you're slowing down your entire team's flow and severely limiting your own opportunities.

Exactly what I meant, kick points barely make any difference.

 

[AIREAYE]

Exactly what I meant, kick points barely make any difference.

I'd agree with you if this is really what you meant, but before you said that having a quick release is useless, which sounded pretty ridiculous.

 

[leftwinger37]

Exactly what I meant, kick points barely make any difference.

Not really what you said, but I'm glad we're on the same page.

I am a left winger that switched to defense because my coach asked me too. I have a short stick with a light flex because of the LW position, I don't have enough money to buy a new stick, we'll see how it goes.

Play a couple games and if you still feel like you need a longer stick, consider a composite end plug as a short term solution. I know that playing D with a stick that is too short absolutely kills my back. Not to mention the frustration of trying to swat away a puck or block a pass that is just out of my reach.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Not really what you said, but I'm glad we're on the same page.

Sorry for the misunderstanding, English isn't my first language. I sound confused sometimes