Increasing scoring in the NHL is a subject of debate every offseason and they decided to make some changes for this season. Instead of making nets bigger they’re decreasing the size of goalie equipment again. The rule will mandate the goaltenders will wear pants that are more fitting to their size. The problem, they waited until February 4th to enforce these new rules.
The idea is to have goalies wear equipment that fits their body type properly. Guys with skinny waists will have pants that fit closer to their waist and guys with long legs will have pants that don’t hang as low(insert jokes here).
Players have been known to go to the limit on sizes because they could. Tighter pants could reduce a goalie’s width by as much as six inches, some say, increasing open shooting areas.
Tendies would also let the laces of their pants hang off but now all the laces have been removed. Seriously, these guys took advantage of everything given to them.
So, it’s not just Corey Crawford and Scott Darling that will have gaping five-holes. It’s the whole league. Let’s just hope that this increases the Blackhawks scoring in the lead up to the playoffs.
NHL has issued memo to all clubs/goalies saying all netminders must be wearing the "new" re-designed/size appropriate pants by Feb 4.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 17, 2017
