Hockey Stick Curve Guide for 2026: P28, P92, P90TM, P88, and What the M Actually Means

May 10, 2026

By Alex Malecha

If you've ever stared at a pro stock stick listing and wondered why one says P28 and the one next to it says P28M, you're not alone. The retail world keeps things simple. The pro stock world has more curves, more flex options, and a few markings that aren't explained anywhere on the box.

This guide breaks down the four curves that cover almost every adult player in 2026, explains what the M actually means on a blade, and walks through the cross-brand translations between Bauer, CCM, Warrior, and True. We'll point to specific sticks we have in stock right now in each curve so you know exactly what your options are.

The Four Curves That Cover Almost Every Player

P28 (Toe Curve, Open Face)

The P28 is a toe curve with an open face. The hook starts late in the blade, and the face angles upward to make it easier to elevate the puck on quick releases.

Best for snipers, players who shoot off the toe, and anyone whose game is built around fast wrist shots and snap shots. The toe hook helps with toe drags and tight in-close puck handling.

Worst for backhands and big slap shots. The open face costs you accuracy on the backhand, and the curve isn't ideal for loading up a slapper from the point.

Cross-brand translation: Bauer P28 = CCM P28 = Warrior W28 = True T28.

P28 curves we have in stock right now

P92 (Mid Curve, Slightly Open Face)

The P92 is a mid curve with a slightly open face. It's the most versatile pattern in hockey and the safest pick if you're not sure what you want.

Best for all-around forwards, players who pass and shoot equally, and anyone returning to hockey after time away. The P92 is forgiving on imperfect passes, accurate on wrist shots, and still gives you enough loft to lift the puck.

Worst for players who want a single specialty. It's the pattern that does everything pretty well and nothing perfectly.

Cross-brand translation: Bauer P92 = CCM P29 = Warrior W03 = True T92.

P92 curves that we have in stock right now

P88 (Heel Curve, Closed Face)

The P88 is a heel curve with a closed face. The bend is deepest near the heel of the blade, and the closed face gives you more control on passes and low shots.

Best for defensemen, two-way forwards, and players who shoot from distance with slap shots. The P88 keeps the puck low, which helps on board passes, breakout outlets, and clearing attempts.

Worst for snipers. The closed face makes it hard to elevate the puck quickly, which is the opposite of what most modern forwards want.

Cross-brand translation: Bauer P88 = CCM P88 = Warrior W88 = True T88.

P88 curves we have in stock right now

P90TM (Hybrid, Now Retail)

The P90TM is a hybrid that combines elements of the P92 and P28 with a slightly taller blade profile. It started as a pro stock pattern and graduated to full retail availability over the last few seasons. As of 2026, you can buy it new at Pure Hockey on the Bauer Vapor FlyLite ($369.99), Bauer Nexus Tracer ($349.99), CCM Jetspeed FT8 Pro ($389.99), CCM Ribcor Trigger 10 Pro ($389.99), and several other models.

Best for centers, two-way forwards, and players who want versatility with a little extra toe action. The P90TM gives you most of the puck control of a P92 with more help on quick releases like a P28.

Worst for pure snipers who want maximum lift, and pure passers who want a flatter blade. It's a compromise curve, and like all compromises it's not the best at any single thing.

P90TM curves we have in stock right now

What the M Actually Means: Max Height Blade

The M on a blade like P28M, P92M, or P88M means max height. Same curve shape, taller blade.

A standard retail blade is around 60 to 62 millimeters tall from the bottom of the blade to the top. A max height blade adds height to that, often pushing 65 millimeters or more, with less rocker in the heel and toe so the bottom edge stays flatter against the ice. The curve depth, lie, and toe shape stay the same as the base curve. Only the height changes.

What that gets you on the ice:

More puck contact area when receiving passes. A taller blade gives you a bigger target, which matters more than people realize at the rec level where passes aren't always perfect.

Better board play. When you're battling for a puck along the wall, more blade height means more chances to pin and lift it.

A small edge in faceoffs. More blade contact with the puck on the draw is exactly what centers want.

A heavier feel. Max height blades are slightly heavier than standard, and some players love that for stability while others find it slows their stickhandling. There's a tradeoff.

Pro stock supply tends to have far more max height blades than retail because pros, especially defensemen and net-front forwards, request the extra height constantly. Bauer and CCM do offer some retail max height options (a few P28M and P92M sticks at Pure Hockey, for example), but the supply is overwhelmingly pro stock. If you want a max height blade in a specific flex, kick point, and curve combination, pro stock is usually the only realistic way to get it.

What we have in stock right now in max height variants:

Gear Guyz Sticks With P28M Curves

Gear Guyz Sticks With P92M (or P29M) Curves

Pro Stock Player Curves Worth Knowing

Beyond the standard retail patterns and their max height versions, pro stock supply also includes one-off custom curves built for specific NHL players. These don't have retail equivalents and they don't behave like a standard P28 or P92, so read the spec carefully before buying.

We currently have a few of these in stock:

Sidney Crosby pro stock curve: New CCM Ribcor Trigger 8 Pro 100 flex left (six available). Crosby's actual pro pattern.

Macklin Celebrini curve: New CCM JetSpeed FT8 Pro 80 flex right (six available). One of the newer pro patterns we've seen, becoming popular among younger players.

Nathan MacKinnon curve: New Bauer Twitch (Flylite Dress) 60 flex right intermediate. A custom MacKinnon pattern built into an intermediate stick.

These are the curves where the player attribution actually matches what's on the ice at the NHL level.

How to Pick a Curve Without Overthinking It

If you've never thought hard about your curve before, here's the simplest decision tree.

If you're a sniper or shoot off the toe: P28. Add the M variant if you want more blade height for board play and faceoffs.

If you're a balanced forward who wants reliability: P92. Add the M variant if you want more contact area on passes and shots.

If you're a defenseman or rely on backhand passes: P88.

If you want versatility with a hybrid feel: P90TM.

If you've been playing the same curve for years and want a meaningful upgrade: try the same curve in a max height variant. Same shape, more blade. Most players notice the difference within a few skates.

A Quick Note on Lie

Lie is the angle between the blade and the shaft, usually labeled 5, 5.5, or 6. A lower lie suits players who skate in a deep crouch with their hands away from their body. A higher lie suits more upright skaters with their hands closer in. Most retail sticks come in lie 5 (P28) or lie 6 (P92, P88).

FAQ

What does the M mean on a hockey stick blade?

The M stands for max height. The blade is taller than a standard retail blade with less rocker in the heel and toe, which gives you more puck contact area on passes, in faceoffs, and along the boards. The curve shape itself (toe, mid, or heel) stays the same as the base pattern. A P28M is still a P28 toe curve. It's just on a taller blade.

Are P28M and P92M curves available at retail?

In limited supply. Bauer and CCM both offer a small number of retail sticks in P28M and P92M, but most of the supply lives in pro stock. If you want a specific flex, kick point, and finish in a max height curve, pro stock is usually the only practical way to get it.

What's the difference between P28 and P28M on the ice?

The curve shape is identical. The blade is taller and slightly heavier on the P28M, with less rocker so the bottom edge stays flatter. You get more contact area for passes and board work, plus a small edge in faceoffs. Some players find max height blades feel slightly slower in tight stickhandling because of the extra weight. It's a tradeoff most rec players decide they like or don't within a few sessions.

Is P90TM still considered a pro stock curve?

No. P90TM started as a pro stock pattern and is now a fully retail curve. As of 2026, Bauer and CCM both build retail sticks in P90TM across multiple model lines. Pro stock P90TM still exists, but it's no longer locked to pro stock supply.

Why are pro stock max height sticks cheaper than retail?

Pro stock supply comes from college teams, junior teams, and individual players turning over equipment. The cost structure is different from a Pure Hockey or Hockey Monkey channel, so the markup is lower. You can usually find a brand new pro stock stick in a max height curve for 30 to 50 percent less than what you'd pay for a comparable retail build, when retail even carries the spec at all.

Where can I find pro stock sticks in the M curves?

We carry pro stock sticks across most of the major M variants on a rolling basis. Inventory changes weekly as we get fresh shipments from college and junior programs. Check our Bauer pro stock collection or CCM pro stock collection for what's currently in stock.

Bottom Line

For a recreational or beer league player, your curve choice matters more than your flex, more than your kick point, and more than which model you buy. A great stick in the wrong curve is a worse stick than a cheap one in the right curve. Spend time figuring out what works for your game, and once you know your base preference, max height variants give you a meaningful upgrade without changing the fundamentals of your shot. Pro stock supply gives you access to those builds at a lower cost than retail, when retail even stocks them.

If you want help picking a curve, send us a message through thegearguyz.com or browse our current pro stock stick inventory. We grade every blade by hand and list the curve, flex, and grip openly, so you know exactly what you're getting before you buy.

Hockey Stick Curve Guide for 2026: P28, P92, P90TM, P88, and What the M Actually Means

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