Final answer:
The correct answer is option a. It depends on the initial speed and angle of the shot.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distance a hockey puck slides after leaving the player's stick depends on several factors, including the initial speed, angle of the shot, and the friction between the puck and the ice. Considering these factors, the most accurate answer to the question is a. It depends on the initial speed and angle of the shot.
The mass of the puck and player's skill level may influence how the puck is played initially, but once it has left the stick, its subsequent motion is governed by its initial conditions and the physical laws that apply, such as Newton's laws of motion and the conservation of momentum.