If you were an NHL goalie would you want
smaller equipment based upon how fast and hard players can shoot the puck, whether
it's a blazing slap shot, or a hard snap or wrist shot?
The talent level in today's NHL is heads
above what it was; not just many decades ago, but within the last 5 years. And
along with that the talent and skill level of goalies has skyrocketed as well.
Going back to the question I asked in the
first paragraph—would you want smaller equipment if you were in the NHL?
I would say they don't want smaller
equipment if they don't want to be injured. The second reason they want to do
this is the lack of scoring in today's NHL. It's entertainment value they're
looking at.
If they want more scoring they better have
better snipers in today's NHL. That's all there is to it. It takes practice, practice,
practice. If they aren't willing to do that then the NHL will most likely have
the major companies who produce goalie equipment, reduce the size of pads, chest
protectors, arm pads and even the size of protective pants.
Ex-NHL player Nick Kypreos chimed in on this
and talked about the glove, and when it was used as a catching glove. He talked
about the goalies in the 70's who actually used the glove to catch pucks. In
today's NHL it seems to be used as a blocker, like the blocker on the other
hand. This I do agree with Kypreos on, but only on this.
I must reiterate what I said before, if you
reduce the size of protective goalie equipment, you risk injury that much more
because of the ability of players to shoot the puck well over 100 miles per
hour, and very hard.
Here is what I think should be done with the
goalie equipment. By the way if they reduce the size of goalie equipment for
NHL goalies that the same will done for minor pro leagues, top junior leagues
and every other league that major goalie equipment makers produce.
Here is what they should do with current
goalie equipment. They should redesign the equipment so it's not as bulky and
more streamlined. Not make it smaller. The same level of protection needs to be
kept.
That way you reduce the numbers of injuries.
The Pet Peeve Of NHL Goalie Equipment: The
Size Of Pads
This has been a thorn in the side of players,
NHL officials and every other person who's against large and bulky goalie
equipment which supposedly reduces the ability of players to get the puck past
a goalie and into the net.
The size of actual goalie pads has decreased
over the years and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, or CBA has lets face it,
dictated that a cap on the width of a goalie pad. That width limit is 28
centimeters. Or for those in the USA, almost 12 inches.
That I don't have an issue width. The pad
width that is. Where I have an issue is the length of the goalie pad. Yes, I
realize there is an actual knee pad they wear underneath the pad to protect
against errant pucks making their way between the goalie pad and the knee.
There has even been some controversy on the size of the internal knee pad being
too big. But goalie pads need to be bulkier in the knee area for protection
purposes. Or streamlined design wise. Not smaller height wise. A goalie can't
win in the NHL anymore.
Protection doesn't seem to be the riding
factor anymore. Entertainment value for the bucks fans shell out does. That's
all fine and good. But where the issue is, is having proper protection.
The Height Limit On Goalie Pads:
Here's some more craziness, or lunacy set
forth by the supposed brain trust of the NHL, limiting the height of goalie
pads. Five years ago the NHL put into place a rule where the pads could only be
55 percent of the distance between the center of a goalie's knee and their
pelvis.
Basically a leg pad can go only halfway up
the thigh, and that's why I think you require more protection from goalie
pants. The powers that be in the NHL don't seem to understand the absolute
necessity of total protection for goalies.
By the way the limit on the height of goalie
pads was reduced another 10 percent, to 45 percent in the last two years. Pure
nonsense.
And at times goalie pads and equipment have
been measured by NHL officials at random. Almost like out of the blue audits by
the tax man.
It's almost like, ”Here I am NHL, come
measure my equipment.”
Next, they'll be measuring the length and
width of a goalie mask and neck protector to see it falls within league
measurements and parameters.
In ending, two things need to happen here.
Players have to be better shooters. They shoot harder than ever, but can't hit
the open pockets of the net a goalie does not cover. That means practice, all
the time.
This may be a bit of lunacy on my part, but
why not have a coach for shooting? Why not?
As for the size of equipment, like I said it
has to be redesigned and streamlined, and not made smaller.
I live in a city where one of the major
manufacturers of NHL goalie equipment is, and I actually should do an interview
with them, and find out their thoughts on all of this.
But one piece of equipment that needs
reshaping and design is the goalie mitt, glove, what ever you want to call it, so
goalies aren't using it mainly as a blocker, and are actually catching pucks.
One other thing as far as streamlining and redesigning goes, it will make it
easier for mobility purposes if pads, chest protector and arm pads are
redesigned as well.
I played goalie in minor hockey in the 70's,
and understand the need for protection even if the NHL wants to keep it's head
in the sand.
Labels: Mark Grove