NASHVILLE -- While no decisions were made by the NHL general managers Friday regarding possible rules changes, the topic of goaltender equipment was addressed.
The gear is simply too big, many players and general managers say, and that's part of the reason why scoring has decreased in recent years in the league.
"We went around the room and got each individual's view on goaltending equipment and the width of the pad was not a problem," NHL Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell said. "The majority of the group did not want to see the width of the pad reduced. But there are some concerns in other areas that obviously we are going to address."
Certain aspects of equipment size are regulated now, but enforcing the rules has been another issue. Last year, Dave Dryden, who consults the league on goaltending issues, went to each team's training camp and measured equipment. But Campbell said the league has to be more strict in following equipment changes after measurements are made. That could mean fining or suspending teams or individuals found to be in violation.
"Maybe our teams might not like it and the players might not like it and the player's lawyers might not like it, but hopefully we do the right thing for the game," Campbell said. "If someone stands in the way, we have to do what we have to do. Whether it's fine our clubs or fine the goaltenders or fine them both."
The league measured again at midseason plus all the playoff teams' goalies' equipment and four other teams who were close at the end of the season. But changes in gear can still be made because the league has been reluctant to crack down on such behavior.
"When we measured the pads originally, they hauled them right off the ice at the end of games, and we may have to go back to that," Campbell said. "We have the flexibility to do that in the agreement and we may have to go back to that because obviously it's not working."
Campbell said they'll take their concerns to the Player's Association next.
"We have to say look, this is where we're going to go with this area now," Campbell said. "It's not going to be easy, but if we find goalies taking this equipment to areas they shouldn't, we're going to have to do what we have to do as far as fining the teams and the goaltenders."
