General Managers in NHL Discuss Goalie Equipment

Earlier this week, goaltending equipment became the hot topic amongst general managers at the second day of their meetings with a focus on streamlining it to help increase the scoring in the league.

NHL goalies should be given new equipment this summer with the thought of introducing it in the 2016-17 season, as GMs also have discussed new ideas for adding offense and Rule 48.

The NHL for a decade has attempted to manage the equipment by adjusting is proportionally to the size of each goalie.

This began last year following a meeting of the competition committee when the league and union agreed things much be done with the goalie pants and the upper body and those changes have been taking place nonstop behind the scenes, said the league office.

The spokesperson said that changes have come from some of the best goalies in hockey, as they want the playing field to be level within the level. They want to see their counterpart at the other end of the rink and know that the equipment being worn is appropriate for his size.

The league says the plan is for the manufacturers to have equipment that is more form fitting delivered to the goaltenders during June so they will have enough time to adapt to it prior to entering training camp. If the Player’s Association in the NHL agrees, it could become mandatory for next season.

The league said it has met many times with the design people from the equipment makers and they are aware of rounding as well as contouring things to make them fit better.

General managers have also discussed Rule 48 that involves hits to the head. There is great concern over concussions, but the GMs have determined the rule that makes head shots illegal will not need to be changed. They unanimously feel after seeing video that the rule is working.

The GMs have seen success with 3 on 3 during overtime and are talking about how they can increase scoring besides just adjusting the goalie equipment.

They talked about preventing icing of the puck when penalty killing and returning to rules such as 4-on-4 when there are coincidental minors and penalized players sitting out the entire time of their penalty even if a goal is scored.