NHL ready to police goalie equipment

[Shell]

NHL ready to police goalie equipment
Canadian Press
6/20/2003

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CP) - The NHL and its 30 general managers emerged from a three and half hour meeting Friday agreeing that something must be done to control the increasing size of goalie equipment in an effort to open up the game.

They then got a rousing endorsement from the game's greatest player.

"Until they change the goaltending equipment we will still have 2-1 games in the NHL," Wayne Gretzky told a group of reporters Friday. "They really have to look at goalies' equipment. The good goalies will still make the saves with smaller equipment."

Gretzky, who had just arrived in Nashville for Saturday's entry draft, wasn't present at the GMs' meeting earlier in the day.

But the managing partner of the Phoenix Coyotes hoped the league would indeed follow through with its ideas of cracking down on goalie equipment, a measure Gretzky said that would have a much more dramatic effect on raising goal-scoring than the crackdown on obstruction.

"I think it's almost impossible to score now," said Gretzky. "I'm not taking anything away from the goalies, they're great athletes. But I just don't think they need all that equipment, I don't think they need to be that big.

"And I think (making goalie equipment smaller) would open up the game more than anything."

The NHL put a system in place five years ago that measured goalies' equipment mostly at training camp. But the system has been easy to cheat, with goalies simply changing their pads and chest protectors when the NHL's goalie police came through town. Even those who have been caught have never been fined for it in the entire five years.

Colin Campbell, the NHL's executive vice-president and director of hockey operations, listened to the GMs' concerns on Friday and sounded like a man ready to take action.

"We feel it is a real problem - the size of goaltenders," Campbell said. "The question is, what kind of teeth are we going to put into this? We have the ability to fine and suspend teams and goaltenders and we haven't.

"But probably at the end of the day that's what we're going to have to do."

Whether the NHL will actually follow through with those tough words remains to be seen. Can you imagine J.S. Giguere getting suspended in the middle of playoff series for having too big a chest protector?

While Anaheim's Giguere and Garth Snow of the New York Islanders are the most-often mentioned culprits, there's more than a few goalies who have beefed up their equipment over the years.

"It's all of them, it's not just one guy," Gretzky said.

The recently retired Patrick Roy is a great example.

"You look at when Montreal beat Calgary to win the Stanley Cup in 1986 and the pads that Patrick was wearing that year," Gretzky said. "Those pads got bigger and bigger over the years."

New Jersey's seven-game win over Anaheim in the Cup final earlier this month was met with some of the lowest TV ratings in over a decade as two defensive teams battled for the championship.

But Gretzky said it's as simple as blaming the goalie's equipment.

"I think the New Jersey-Anaheim series was pretty good skating but you just can't score (on the goalies)," Gretzky said.

Campbell said the league has a written agreement with the NHL Player's Association that allows it to get tough on goalies and that includes suspensions.

"We have to go to the NHLPA and the goaltenders and tell them where we're going to go with this. It's not going to be easy," Campbell said. "But if we're going to be serious, when we find goalies taking this equipment to areas where they shouldn't, then we're going to have to do what we have to do as far as fining the teams and the goaltenders."

One of the areas the league may look at is increasing the number of visits by the NHL's goalie police.

The league measures the equipment in training camp and once in mid-season and Campbell said there were also measurements taken during the playoffs.

But in between measurements, it remains an easy trick for goalies to change their equipment.

"We have to be more strict in following that because when they change equipment we have to find out what equipment they've changed from when they were originally measured," said Campbell. "This is not an easy process when you have 30 teams across North America.

"We've been exercising some sensitivity there and I think that's our problem. We all know that goaltenders, you don't want to mess with them, they have their superstitions. When (former NHL V-P) Brian Burke was measuring the pads they hauled them (the goalies) right off the ice at the end of the game.

"We may have to go back to that because presently it's not working."

[Ramhorn]

Good Article

Agree 100% the size of goaltending equipment has gotten way out of hand.

[Shell]

The NHL put a system in place five years ago that measured goalies' equipment mostly at training camp. But the system has been easy to cheat, with goalies simply changing their pads and chest protectors when the NHL's goalie police came through town. Even those who have been caught have never been fined for it in the entire five years.

so, they pay these goalie police to measure the pads even though it is not effective and there are no penalties for it. That seems like a good use of money! http://wemissjerry.org/smiles/uhoh.gif

"We feel it is a real problem - the size of goaltenders," Campbell said. "The question is, what kind of teeth are we going to put into this? We have the ability to fine and suspend teams and goaltenders and we haven't.
"But probably at the end of the day that's what we're going to have to do."

suspend teams? can you please clarify? what the hell ya talking about Colin?

"You look at when Montreal beat Calgary to win the Stanley Cup in 1986 and the pads that Patrick was wearing that year," Gretzky said. "Those pads got bigger and bigger over the years."

1986: (the yzerman was already connected, call it a bonus ;))
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3572106/1057037607571_480h.jpg

2003
http://a1708.g.akamai.net/f/1708/110/8h/images.fanbuzz.com/images/thumbs/450x450/NHL-ASTPHOMINT-001.jpg?scale=&color=

I do agree the equipment is too big, however I don't really like the wording so far... just do random checks end of game, and fine the offenders.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Do Roy's pads really look that much bigger in that second picture? The blocker and the leg pads look longer....but I don't see much difference in the rest. They don't look that much wider. But we all know his glove is bigger than a tire. :roll: All you really need to do is show a pic of Garth Snow. For Christ's sakes! His are HUGE! It looks like body armour that KISS would have worn on stage in the 70s!

[Captain Slack]

Do Roy's pads really look that much bigger in that second picture? The blocker and the leg pads look longer....but I don't see much difference in the rest. They don't look that much wider.

Compare the size of his chest protector in both pictures. His leg pads aren't that much bigger, but his chest looks like it's swelled up like a balloon!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Do Roy's pads really look that much bigger in that second picture? The blocker and the leg pads look longer....but I don't see much difference in the rest. They don't look that much wider.

Compare the size of his chest protector in both pictures. His leg pads aren't that much bigger, but his chest looks like it's swelled up like a balloon!

Ahhh....excellent observation. Thanks for pointing that out! I too often tend to forget that whole chest area on a goalie. It sorta looks like there are two of him in that jersey, huh?

[Kat]

I don't know... after seeing some of the chest area bruises on my goalie friend, I can't say they don't need more equipment in the chest area. And she had goalie chest pads, and the shots she faces are far from pro-quality...

The leg pad, shoulder pad, and glove extensions are probably worth policing.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I don't know... after seeing some of the chest area bruises on my goalie friend, I can't say they don't need more equipment in the chest area. And she had goalie chest pads, and the shots she faces are far from pro-quality...


Do you think her chest-pads are even remotely near the quality of Patrick Roy's? I agree that at least as long as they are using composite sticks that allow them to get so much more torque on their shots the goalies need extra padding. But, with all the advancements we've made in textiles it seems to me that they should be able to get the protection they need without all the width and bulk.

[Kat]

No, they are certainly not the quality of Roy's. That is why she has bruises. Which was my point...

[SouthernHockeyChick]

No, they are certainly not the quality of Roy's. That is why she has bruises. Which was my point...

And my point was that the pros should easily be able to have far more quality padding than your friend's without adding the bulk equivalent of another person inside their jersey, like Roy appears to have added. I was agreeing with you in that they need much, much more padding than your average rec-league player.

[Shell]

NHL cracks down on illegal pads

Scorers of the league rejoice, the NHL has restricted the height of goaltender's pads.

NEW YORK - For the first time in League history, limits on the height of goaltender pads will be in place for 2003-04 season, the National Hockey League announced today. The maximum length of goalie pads will be 38". Last season, approximately one-third of goaltenders wore pads that exceeded 38".

Previously, the only restriction on goalie pads was that the width does not exceed 12". This restriction remains in effect.

"Our objective in bringing in a restriction on the height of pads was to create a level playing field for all goaltenders without compromising their protection," said NHL Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. "We intend to strictly enforce this new standard by measuring goaltenders' pads on a regular basis during the season."

For violations of this rule, clubs will be fined $25,000.

The League also announced that former NHLer Kris King will oversee the enforcement of Rule 21 - Goalkeeper's Equipment.

(had to include the pic from the article on this one ;))
http://www.sportsnet.ca/images/sportsnet_story_images/hockey/cechmanek240_189.jpg

[Canesluver]

It seems to me that the length of the pads should be proportional to the height of the person wearing them. Wouldn't 38" pads be more of an advantage to a short goalie, as opposed to a tall guy? Wouldn't it "level the playing field" better to say that pads must not be any more than ____" above the goalie's knees or something? Just wonderin'. . . . . .

[Shell]

Definitely Shawn..I wonder if they thought that through at all???

Imagine Irbe with 38" pads, and then Weekes...
If Chara gets a bigger stick than everyone else, it should be based on proportions for goalies too

[Guyute]

most goalies couldn't wear 38's. I'm just under 6'2", and 38" pads would come almost to my waist.

it's really not much of a rule

[Shell]

that's even stupider then..I hadn't put much thought into the actual size. Irbe is shorter than I am and 38" is above my bellybutton (luckily no one walked by my office as I was measuring myself LOL)

[Guyute]

exactly.

38" won't be 38" straight up (I don't believe)... normally they'll have a slight flex in them. but 38's are probably still around 36" tall when strapped on. they are Big pads.

Bettman is trying to make it look like he's instituting a major policy change here. he's not. not at all.

[nccanes]

Color me confused. Why should smaller goalies be forced to wear smaller pads? They are already at a "disadvantage" because they don't fill up the net as much naturally. If they are able to play/control the 38" pads, having them doesn't put them at an advantage or anything, does it? Or does it? :crazy:

The article said 1/3 of the goalies wore pads exceeding 38 inches, so wouldn't the new rule prevent those 1/3 of goalies from wearing them, thus doing something?

[Guyute]

I've been looking through goalie heights since my post(s).

there are a few that are 6'3"... so they might've gotten away with 39"'s, possibly 40"'s. so yes, there are some players that will have to reduce their pads a Massive inch or two.

I don't understand why you're thinking smaller goalies would be forced to wear smaller pads. i'll be a chunk of change that there aren't any 5'8" goalies wearing 38's. they'd come up to their chest. they wouldn't be able to move. so for most small goalies, there is probably no change at all.
But there's nothing stopping them from TRYING to wrangle a pair of 38's around. I sure as hell don't want THAT goalie though.

a change that would've made a ton more impact would have been to decrease the regulated size of the WIDTH of the pads. that's something that would affect all goalies, and would greatly change how much of them was blocking the net when standing there.

[nccanes]

I don't understand why you're thinking smaller goalies would be forced to wear smaller pads. i'll be a chunk of change that there aren't any 5'8" goalies wearing 38's. they'd come up to their chest. they wouldn't be able to move. so for most small goalies, there is probably no change at all.


My reply was after yours, but I should have quoted Canesluver's that talked about proportion to height. Thanks for the reply and extra info.


But there's nothing stopping them from TRYING to wrangle a pair of 38's around. I sure as hell don't want THAT goalie though.


Agreed!

It seems like I've heard commentators talking about the length issue in the sense that goalies use those extra inches or those extra pads (like Weekes uses) to help close the 5 hole w/o having to bring their knees as close together as those that don't have the longer/extra pads.

Speaking of that, what does this mean about those extra pads (the ones strapped to the shorts)? I got the impression numerous times last season that they would be illegal this season.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Maybe this comment will sound stupid..and feel free to tell me so......... :roll: ...but does the size of the equipment really matter??? Most goalies wear the same pads and some can keep the puck out and some can't to save their lives....I think skill is more of a factor than size of the pads.....even Jiggy with his "big pads" let NJ score on him at will in a few games!!

Am I wrong???? :beatup:

[Kat]

Previously, the only restriction on goalie pads was that the width does not exceed 12". This restriction remains in effect.


They already restricted the width... I suppose they could decrease, but from the arguments way above in this thread, what they really need to do is restrict the height/width (but not depth) of the shoulder pads, no?

-Kat

[nccanes]

Trevor Kidd says he'll get bigger pants....

(and it mentions that Snow's pads were believed to be almost 42 inches long!)


BERNARD WEIL/TORONTO STAR
Regulations benefits short goalies, says Leafs' Trevor Kidd.
League sets height limit at 38 inches


MARK ZWOLINSKI
SPORTS REPORTER

It's official: the NHL says size matters.

The league cracked down yesterday on the rapidly growing height of some goalies' pads, ruling they cannot exceed 38 inches (76 centimetres) and vowing to levy $25,000 fines on teams whose goalies violate the new rule.

But the edict — the first regulation on pad height in NHL history — may anger the league's taller goalies, who feel they'll now be more vulnerable to giving up goals through the legs, known as the five hole.

"Mine were 39 inches, but it's not that big a deal for me to drop down to 38," said Leafs backup goalie Trevor Kidd, who stands 6-foot-3.

"But it creates an unfair playing field," he added. "A guy who is 5-foot-9 to say 6-feet or 6-foot-1, that guy is allowed to wear a 38-inch pad now, so when you're talking about a five-hole advantage, those guys are the ones who will have the advantage over the taller guys ... Because that's all we're talking about here with the height of a goalie pad — the height just covers the five hole better, it doesn't help you when you're sprawled on your back or doing the splits."

Colin Campbell, the NHL's director of hockey operations, said in a statement "the objective was to create a level playing field for all goaltenders without compromising their protection."

The league estimated that about one-third of goalies wore pads that exceeded 38 inches last year.

Islanders goalie Garth Snow became a lightning rod for critics of growing goalie pads in recent years. His pads were believed to be between 40 inches and 42 inches tall.

Taller goalies like Roberto Luongo of Florida and Sean Burke of Phoenix also drew criticism for the size of their goalie pads.

Campbell appointed former Leaf Kris King to enforce the new ruling. While no further details were released, it's believed all pads will be measured before the season.

Teams can also expect regular, unannounced measurements during the season, but it's not known if opposing teams will be able to ask for an in-game measurements as can be done to check the curves on sticks.

Sources said the new ruling has only been approved for use this upcoming season.

The regulation comes five years after rules were instituted limiting the width of pads to 12 inches (30 centimetres) and restricting the size of goalie jerseys, pants and gloves.

"Goalies have basically been complying with rule changes for the past five years now," Kidd said.

"But I'll tell you, now I'll have to beef up my pants. If they're going to take away some of my pads, I'll have to add something to my pants for sure."

The restriction was believed to have been developed by King and presented at the winter GM meetings.

King received a quick go ahead from the general managers, who watched as criticisms mounted over the lack of scoring in NHL games.

The complaints even prompted commissioner Gary Bettman to muse about the possibility of increasing the size of nets.

Since Bettman took over his post in 1992-93, scoring has nose-dived from 7.5 goals per game to 5.31 goals per game.

"I'd have to question it if they're doing this for a higher-scoring hockey game," Kidd said. "I'd think creating more scoring chances should be higher on the agenda than creating restrictions for goalies."

Toronto's No. 1 goalie, Eddie Belfour, could not be reached for comment last night, but it's believed his pads were already shorter than 38 inches.


Bigger pants? Maybe some with a web between the legs would help, but just bigger pants?

[Guyute]

ok. here's the most recent (doesn't include the new height) rule regarding goalie equipment:
http://www.nhlreferees.com/rule21.asp

couple of things. No, you can't just go adding more pads to your pants. nice try Trevor.

yes mona, good goalies still mainly come from skill. here's hoping that doesn't change.

there's really only one rule I'd like to see implemented.... No center line. they want to make the game more exciting, take away 2 line passes. this crap about reducing the size of goalie equipment, or making the net bigger... is just that. crap.

leave the frigging game alone. I understand they're trying to get more fans... but please... I doubt anyone has said that, without a doubt, if there were 6 goals per game, they'd become a fan of the sport. but if it's only 2 gpg, then no, I'm not going to be a fan.
whole thing is stupid.

[StormShaman]

Maybe this comment will sound stupid..and feel free to tell me so......... :roll: ...but does the size of the equipment really matter??? Most goalies wear the same pads and some can keep the puck out and some can't to save their lives....I think skill is more of a factor than size of the pads.....even Jiggy with his "big pads" let NJ score on him at will in a few games!!

Am I wrong???? :beatup:

Here's the amusing thing.

Though lots of people are claiming that this will hamped Giguere, the guy's pads were only 36 inches long.

So perhaps size doesn't matter for everyone. :D

[Shell]

I don't think the leg pads are the main problem anyway.. was just perusing letsgowings.com to see if anyone mentioned if hasek was in the US or CR (doubt we would extradite him) and found this pic which is a good illustration of the shoulder pads..

http://www.center-ice.de/gfx/giguere01.jpg

[Guyute]

quite a picture. thanks

[Jeff O Rocks]

Is there really an advantage to having larger shoulder pads?? I can't recall too many goalies stopping a chip shot or a blast from a sniper with a shoulder.. :roll: With all that equipment that they do wear, it is amazing to me the quickness of how they can turn on a dime and stop that puck.... I hope Weeksey is a brick wall this season!! and Patrick or Arch should we need them!! :)

[Guyute]

well, picture this. marty is on his knees in front of the net. j.s. is on his knees in front of the net.

which goalies takes away more of the upper part of the net?
easy.

yes, shoulder pads make that much of a difference.

[folgersnyourcup]

I believe some of the complaining done about Snow had to do with some sort of contraption that is connected to his shoulder pads that enables them to go far upwards when he goes into the butterfly position. Though I have never played hockey, I'm assuming that this would then leave less of a hole for the shooter to try to shoot the puck through high to beat the goalie. It then makes it very hard to score because the goalie going into the butterfly position pretty much negates the possibility of scoring low and then when excessive shoulder pads actually move upwards when in this position it makes it very hard for the shooter to try and shoot high either.

It was alleged that Giguere had the same contraption though it was never confirmed.

[Jeff O Rocks]

well, picture this. marty is on his knees in front of the net. j.s. is on his knees in front of the net.

which goalies takes away more of the upper part of the net?
easy.

yes, shoulder pads make that much of a difference.

I guess that is true...if the potential scorer sees the hole closed up with shoulders, then he won't even attempt to stick the puck in there.. :roll:

[nccanes]

Amazing pic Shell!

Wouldn't you love to hear what goalies say about each other?

[Shell]

I thought the original article was silly and didn't post it, but here is her retraction..

NHL must enforce new rule on goalie pads
Kara Yorio
July 31, 2003

Sometimes things are written that don't seem so controversial at all. And then the email starts coming in. A few trickle in during the morning, a flood in the afternoon, then another then another. They say the writer is crazy, stupid, incompetent, any number of things. Few, if any, are complimentary. It makes you wonder what it was that sparked such ire. Who knew the punishment for goaltender pads would be such a lightning rod of an issue?

First things first: The Inside Dish item said J.S. Giguere, Garth Snow and Roberto Luongo are expected to be a few of the goaltenders who will need new pads because of the new 38-inch limitation. Consider this a retraction: According to the Ducks organization, Giguere's pads are 36 inches high and he will not require new equipment. That was an incorrect expectation, apparently. Apologies all around.

The other thing that seems to have everyone in a tizzy is the punishment. Perhaps a multigame suspension, as suggested in the Dish, is a little harsh. It probably makes sense to compare pad size to the curve of a stick blade, and that simply brings a two-minute minor penalty. But here is the question: Does the league want teams and their goaltenders to be forced to play by the new rule? A $25,000 fine is nothing. Sure, teams won't want to pay it 82 times in a year, but a few, during big games, wouldn't be so bad.

As for a goaltender's comfort level, it still will be there with his old, bigger pads, which he used for seasons and still could practice with if he wanted to. If this is a rule that the league really thinks needs to be made and enforced to better the game and increase scoring, then do something that really will make players follow it.

One e-mailer's suggestion made the most sense to me. Richard Ranieri of Toronto wrote, "Wouldn't it at least make sense for the NHL to handle this the same way they do with a player caught using an illegal stick? The team gets a minor penalty and the pads are confiscated by the officials every time an infraction occurs!

"If all of those two-minute minors were worth the risk, there would be many more players in the league using wonky blades on a regular basis. And, of course, the $25,000 should be levied for every incident. I might even go as far as to suggest a game misconduct for the goalie as well. Add the cost of the forfeited goalie pads to the fine, and suddenly the financial bite seems a little more painful."

Good so far, Richard. The addition of the pad confiscation and a game misconduct penalty is a great idea. The game misconduct would get the goaltender tossed from that game, and three game misconducts in a season is an automatic one-game suspension. Each subsequent game misconduct incurred adds another game to the suspension. At least there would be a consequence with that, one that could hurt the team's chance of winning and presumably take its best goaltender out of the net at a key time.

The only problem with Richard's logic is that players do use "wonky" blades all of the time. That is a rule that is not taken seriously, and most skaters don't think it should be a rule anymore at all. The majority of skill guys in the league have a stick or two that is curved beyond the limitations. They know that measuring doesn't happen often and in a regular-season game. What's a two-minute minor really going to cost a team, particularly when compared with what can be gained by using the curvier stick?

The players bend the rule on sticks because it is a rule that is winked at, and the punishment is not severe. So that is the point here. If the NHL wants goalies to take this new rule seriously, it needs to put some teeth in the bite.

And now on to the next anger-inducing topic, whatever it may be.

[Shell]

Brodeur blasts brethren over pad issue
Canadian Press
9/23/2003

MONTREAL (CP) - Martin Brodeur of the Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils has taken his fellow goaltenders to task for complaints about new restrictions on the size of their equipment.

Brodeur, in his new weekly column in Le Journal de Montreal on Tuesday, said complaints mainly made by goaltenders from Quebec that the new rules left them vulnerable to injuries were unfounded.

"The limit for the height of goaltender's pads is 38 inches (96 cm), so?" said Brodeur, a three-time Cup winner. "Mine have always been 34 inches (86 cm) and that's enough.

"I've always preferred less bulky equipment so I could move around easier. Certain goaltenders have really gone too far in the last few years and I can understand why the league wants to stop it."

New York Islanders goalie Garth Snow was thought to have had the tallest pads last season and the chief reason why the league took action.

"Garth Snow keeps adding pieces to his pads," said Brodeur. "And his shoulder pads are so big he looks like Goldorak, the robot I watched killing the bad guys on TV when I was a kid."

Some goalies complained that a ban on extra pieces of padding on the knees would lead to injuries, but Brodeur said he suspects they are more concerned with leaving openings for pucks to trickle between their pads.

"I have to point out that I don't use the butterfly style, unlike most Quebec goaltenders," Brodeur said. "With plastic foils attached to their pads, butterfly goalies could completely close the space between their legs.

"I can understand why forwards complained they can't score when they shoot for the five-hole. Jean-Sebastien Giguere was the target of such complaints last year."

Brodeur allowed that while he didn't buy the goaltenders' complaints, it was important that goalies be well protected, especially with modern-day players shooting the puck harder with lightweight composite sticks.

"A few years ago, Mats Sundin would never take a slapshot until he got to the top of the faceoff circle," Brodeur said of the Toronto Maple Leafs captain. "Now, with the new composite sticks, he can fire a bullet from the blue-line - and beat me from time to time."

Brodeur, a Montreal native, began the column last week. He doesn't write it, but speaks to a Journal reporter, who then writes what he says into column form.

[Jillsdad]

Kudos to Marty Brodeur. Forhim to say what he said carries a certain amount of weight. He is a world class goaltender who doesn't need to "cheat" ala Garth Snow to win. Maybe the league will stop that stuff once and for all.

[Shell]

Gear shift in goal
Weekes' pads OK, but DesRochers has to shorten his
By LUKE DECOCK, Staff Writer

RALEIGH -- For Kevin Weekes, his new pads are a style statement in stippled gray and white leather.

They have a panther motif similar to his old set, and a new texture after, he says, too many goalies copied the woven leather he used last season.

He also says they're the same size as his old set, which makes him different from most goalies breaking in new pads this preseason.

In an effort to bump up scoring , the NHL decided this summer to legislate the length of goalie pads and end an equipment arms race that was beginning to approach comical status as goalies strapped on pillows that scraped the crossbar.

The width maximum is still 12 inches, but pads now can be only 38 inches long.

But just because he didn't have to change doesn't mean Weekes likes the new regulations.

"For some reason, they think that the equipment was making the saves, not the goalies," Weekes said. "I dare anybody to put the equipment on who isn't a goalie and stop NHL-caliber shooters and to think that the equipment is going to make the saves for them. That just isn't going to happen, even if [the pads are] 45 inches tall. It's not going to matter. You still have to be able to use them."

Canes backup Patrick DesRochers was one of the goalies affected by the rule change. Because of the backlog, his new pads didn't arrive until the eve of training camp.

He had to chop between and inch and an inch and a half off the toe of his pads to make them conform. He also had to remove flaps that protected the inside of his knees, popular among goalies not only for safety but for closing up the five-hole -- the space between their legs -- when they flopped to the ice.

"They said it was a cheater," he said. "When you did go down, it did stick out a little bit, so that's why they got rid of them. Now I have to find some way to protect the inside of my knee."

The most severe modification was imposed on New York Islanders goalie Garth Snow, the poster child for ridiculous equipment. He saw his 44-inch monsters cut down by almost a half-foot.

DesRochers is 6 foot 4, one inch taller than Snow , which means his new pads barely rise above his knee. He'd prefer to see a sliding scale based on goalie height than the current 38-inch maximum.

"A little short guy could be wearing 38-inch pads that go up to his hips, but a guy like Sean Burke, who's 6-5 or 6-6?" DesRochers asked. "It's kind of an unfair advantage as far as that goes."

But Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, who has played his entire career with moderately sized pads, thinks goalies have taken advantage of the rules for far too long and that much of the outcry is just whining.

"Garth Snow keeps adding pieces to his pads," Brodeur wrote in his weekly column for Le Journal de Montreal , a Quebec newspaper. "And his shoulder pads are so big he looks like Goldorak , the robot I watched killing the bad guys on TV when I was a kid."

Canes goalie coach Don Edwards, who won the Vezina Trophy in 1980, would like to see the league go further: Take the cuffs off of goalie gloves, make the gloves smaller and make the pads narrower.

He thinks too few goalies have the technique and fundamentals that were required to play the position when he did.

"We relied on quickness and reflexes, good positioning," Edwards said. "That's still there, but now guys can just stand there and let the thing hit you."

[VandyCane]

Because of the backlog, his new pads didn't arrive until the eve of training camp.

I'm certainly hoping that was one of the reasons for his performance being off. He seems to be more confident as pre-season has gone along.

[goalie33]

I know I'm coming into this conversation way late, but don't forget that the "new" picture of Roy was taken around 97-98. His later pads (Koho 570-590) were taller and squarer. As for saves off the clavicle floaters (the parts that look like shoulder pads in Giguere's pic), they are built to stand up when you go down in the butterfly, and they do cover a bit of net. On another note, you have to consider the age of the equipment that Brodeur and Giguere are wearing. J-S was wearing a brand new Koho 590 chest protector, while Brodeur's is very old and broken down; it, too, was much larger/taller when it was new. I'm not saying Giguere's equipment isn't too large, but people seem to be picking on his talent by saying his equipment made more saves than he did. Garth Snow and Peter Skudra have the biggest equipment around, and neither of them won a playoff series, not to mention three.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

He also had to remove flaps that protected the inside of his knees, popular among goalies not only for safety but for closing up the five-hole -- the space between their legs -- when they flopped to the ice.


Weekes used those things for part of last season. I assume he had to get rid of them too. Wonder why they don't mention it.

[Shell]

NHLPA files grievance for goalies
TSN.ca with CP Files
9/30/2003

TORONTO - According to a story in the Toronto Sun, The National Hockey League Players' Association has filed a grievance against the NHL for declaring new measurement policies for goaltenders equipment without input from their members.

Two of the changes, which were announced earlier this year, included the height of pads set at a maximum 96.5 centimetres and removal of the plastic flap many goalies had sewn onto the top of the pad. Designed to protect butterfly-style goalies' knees when they drop to the ice, the pad also could be manipulated to stop pucks going through the goalie's legs.

New York Islanders Garth Snow, a goalie who uses 109-centimetre pads, has been among the league's most vocal critics. Snow, who removed his flaps before training camp has complained of being struck on the inside of the knee.

[Shell]

Campbell: Union grievance 'lame'
Canadian Press
9/30/2003

TORONTO (CP) - Colin Campbell rolled his eyes when asked about the NHL Players' Association grievance against the new limits on goaltender equipment.

``That's pretty lame,'' Campbell, the NHL's director of hockey operations, said after league GM meetings Tuesday. ``We worked hard on this, and then you hear about a grievance.

``Is it all the goaltenders? No. It's a couple of guys that don't like it.''

The NHLPA accused the league of declaring new measurement policies for goaltenders equipment without input from its members.

Two of the changes, which were announced during the summer, included the height of pads set at a maximum 96.5 centimetres (38 inches) and removal of the plastic flap many have sewn onto the top of the pad.

Designed to protect butterfly-style goalies' knees when they drop to the ice, the league determined that those plastic flaps could be manipulated to stop pucks going through the five-hole. But some goalies, including Garth Snow of the New York Islanders, already claims to have been hurt by a shot because he can't wear the plastic flap.

``I'm still working on that,'' Snow said. ``I'm still going to make the save, it's just how much pain there will be making the saves.''

Campbell stands by the league's decision.

``We did a lot of research on this,'' said Campbell. ``We certainly don't want to expose goaltenders (to injury) but when you have things hanging down between your legs in the five-hole, what are you supposed to do?

``We only had one other alternative, leave the goalies alone and make the nets 10 feet by 10 feet.''

Snow has gone back to wearing pads that are similar to those he donned while playing for Vancouver and Philadelphia.

``I've gained more mobility, and if anything it's probably made me quicker getting from Point A to Point B and playing pucks,'' Snow said. ``When I had longer pads, I wasn't as active (playing pucks).''

The new equipment rules will be fully enforced until an independent arbitrator who rules on the grievance decides otherwise.

Canucks GM Brian Burke says his colleagues around the league are completely behind the league's goalie equipment crackdown.

``On this issue, clearly it's gotten out of balance between protecting the goaltenders and cheating,'' Burke said. ``And what the league is doing we support 100 per cent.

``The union should, too. It's out of hand, it's out of control.''

As part of the new limits on goalie equipment, the NHL will also revise the way it monitors goalies around the league. In previous years, the league would call ahead and warn goalies of visits. No more warning, Campbell said.

``Now we'll make random checks,'' he said.

Any goalie found to have violated any of the equipment rules will be suspended for one game and his team fined $25,000 US. A second offence will result in a two-game suspension and $50,000 team fine and a third offence would cost three games and $100,000 team fine.

``We have support from a lot of veteran goaltenders who were encouraging us to be more strict with the enforcement and reduction of goalie equipment because goalies don't stop pucks anymore, they just block them,'' Campbell said.

[Shell]

Fri, October 31, 2003
Fuhr spills the beans on goalie pad chicanery
By LANCE HORNBY, TORONTO SUN

Now that he is comfortably retired, Hall of Fame goalkeeper Grant Fuhr feels he can share some of tricks of the twine trade. Weighing in on the dispute about goaltender's equipment, Fuhr said his fraternity will never stop trying to beat the rules and admits he bent a few during his 19-year National Hockey League career.

"You'd carry a second set of pads, because you knew the (league) measured in the mornings," Fuhr said mischievously yesterday in a conference call to promote Monday's Hall induction of himself, Pat LaFontaine, Brian Kilrea and Mike Ilitch. "They have expandable pads with seams that popped out. Guys will always find a way to cheat."

Fuhr said that as long as the NHL employed non-goaltenders to monitor equipment -- former Maple Leafs winger Kris King is in charge this year -- new rules for shorter pads and curtailed flaps could be circumvented. But he added that it's unfair to say this season's reduction in scoring -- 29 shutouts through 133 games compared to seven at the same time in 2002-03 -- all comes down to chicanery.

"Everybody forgets about technology," Fuhr said. "Give better, lightweight equipment to bigger goalies and they'll take advantage."

An opponent of trap hockey, Fuhr would prefer to see the wide open game of his Edmonton Oilers glory days come back. But that seems like wishful thinking in today's coaching mania for defence.

"I was brought up with offensive systems," said Fuhr, whose career record was 403-295-114 with four Stanley Cups on a dynamic Edmonton team. "The 11- and 12-year-olds I coach now get a kick out of wide-open hockey. It was a lot of fun the way we played."

He thinks the high-powered Colorado Avalanche has the best chance of repeating the Oilers formula this year.

"Get the right goalie in that situation and they'll score a pile of goals," Fuhr predicted. "As their goalies (David Aebischer and Phil Sauve) get more comfortable, their offence will get better."

[Guyute]

Fuhr was on NHL Live's broadcast for a bit this afternoon. (also where I heard the breaking news on Gabby. hehe)