imisssergei

The difference between a goaltenders pads and that of a players is that a goaltenders equipment is designed to stop the puck and protect him. Since you are unfamiliar with baseball, I'll let you in on something. Each position does use a different size glove, some even shaped differently. Outfielders tend to use a larger glove to help catch the ball in the air. Third basemen tend to use a very small glove to force them to get 'down on the ball' more. Shortstops and second basemen use a slightly larger mit than the third basemen do as they handle more balls in different situations. The pitcher uses a pretty standard mit. The first basemen uses a differently shaped mit, which allows him to more easily scoop balls thrown or hit in the dirt, as well as provide more protection for his fingers and palm when catching the ball. The catcher uses an even different mit, specially designed to protect his hand. But I realize the point you are trying to make, it just doesn't fit. Until the NHL changes the rules concerning goaltenders equipment, Giggy's will remain completely legal, hence it is impossible for it to create any unfair advantage. And let's keep one thing clear, an unfair advantage is something that not all players can compete with. Something that is only available by breaking a rule. Something that is used illegally.

Let me help you out here, as you seem to lack the knowledge of where the five holes actually are supposed to be located. Upper left corner, upper right corner, lower right corner, between the legs, and lower left corner. All the spots where there is supposed to be room, there is.

How did I contradict myself? I'm all for change, if it is warranted. This assault in Giggy is nothing more than hatred by Wings fans against a rival goaltender. I don't recall anyone saying ANYTHING about Garth Snows equipment, his shoulder pads literally did come up to his ears. As for the comment about the refs, I wasn't changing topics. Merely pointing out something that is a black and white issue, rather than something that is in the gray area.

In the year 2012, the world as we know it will no longer be. Hillary will be President, with BO as VP.

What?

I don't understand your question. I'm not against change, I'm against people saying that the size of goaltenders pads needs to be reduced because they are too big. The only reason anyone would want to do this is to increase scoring. As long as the trap is a legal style of defense, you will never see the high scoring days of the 80's. There are other things in this game that need to be addressed before the size of goaltenders pads. Such as how on back to back night professional refs can blow two calls that lead to goals, one a game winner.

The thing is, Giggy's pads aren't grossly oversized, they meet all NHL standards just like Marty's do. Just because the two guys play a different style, and use equipment that caters to that style does not mean either of them is abusing the system. I gaurantee that the Marty uses the biggest pads that he is comfortable with, as does every goaltender. Gear doesn't make the goaltender, his play does. Just like Chara's extra long sticks don't suddenly turn him into an elite defender. The fact is that the goaltender still has to go out there, and be in the right positions, and Giggy is one of the most positional sound goaltenders in the game, maybe ever. Are his pads bigger than Marty's? Yeah, but Marty's are smaller for a reason, they allow Marty to play his style in net. It seems that the only way to make people like you happy would be to require all goaltenders to wear the exact same size equipment. Otherwise, there will always be some goaltender somewhere who has bigger pads, so that must be what makes him good. I'm done.

It's an off year for the SED. 2 of the last 3 Cups have come from the SED.

You have yet to show how a goaltenders pads, that are completely legal, are in any way, shape or form, an unfair advantage. In that last example, you are saying that because Giggy plays a different style than Marty, large pads create an unfair advantage. That's no different than saying that Marty's smaller pads create an unfair advantage because they cater to his style of play. EDIT: Also, your example of steroid use stated "80's and 90's" that's why I responded with the fact that they were illegal.

It's not the exception. I just used an example that would be easy for all to understand. My point is that a goaltender has to move, a lot. It isn't as easy as standing in front of the net.

Here is something to think about. What if for a Wings 3rd jersey, they also had an alternate logo on the chest, and the Winged wheel on the shoulders?

Just look at the standings right now, EC. Carolina has 75 points, leading the SED, thus seeded 3rd. They have played 69 games. Both Buffalo and Philly sit close enough that they could end up out of the playoffs, but have more points than Carolina. This would take a good run by a few other teams, but it is mathematically possible. As for as scheduling, wouldn't conferences be enough separation for scheduling?

Steroids were illegal. Show me one person who has ever been arrested for having goaltending equipment. Regardless, when ever player has the ability to use the same equipment, it provides no advantage, fair or unfair. Simply because Giggy uses bigger equipment than Marty, doesn't make it unfair. Each and every goaltender has the same access to and ability to use the same size equipment that Giggy does. How does this create any room for any sort of advantage? It doesn't.

Regardless is people would go 'ape s***' in that scenario or not, how would it hurt the game? It would make playoff seeding more relevant.

Nice try, but you forget that stopping the puck isn't as easy as just letting it hit you. A goaltender has to move side to side, back into the net and come out. Next time you are watching a 5 on 3 powerplay, don't watch the puck, watch the goaltender. Wearing larger pads for the sake of having larger pads doesn't turn a good goaltender into a great goaltender. It doesn't turn a great goaltender into an unbeatable goaltender. What it may do is allow a positional goaltender, such as Giggy, to be bigger. This rarely translates into any real difference in play. Don't hate the playa....

True, but how often does a division winner than plays in a weak division not have enough points to make the playoffs? I won't argue, but offer this question, what then would be the point of having divisions?

Seriously, put down the pipe buddy. That comparison is so far off mark, I don't even know how to respond to it. Goaltenders are doing nothing that could be remotely considered in the same ball park as steroid use.

I think division winners should be guaranteed nothing but one of the 8 playoff spots. Why should any of the SEC teams be ranked top 3 in the EC?

They do show some bias, but for the most part they are pretty accurate in their assessments.

How is it cheating if it is legal? If the pads are within the required limitations, they are legal, hence it would be impossible to be cheating by using them. I won't argue that Manny's stuff is huge. My suggestion would solve a few things, such as Chara's stick length issue. Make all equipment size regulations based on player size.

I'll be honest, I don't know where he is playing, and I don't know much about him. However, for a player to be in a team system, he doesn't have to play for the team minor league affiliate. Rather, he just has to be property of that team, IMO. But the reference to Roth being the 5th best defensive prospect in Washingtons system was made by one of the TSN analysts.

If that is the case, then goaltenders should be fair game when they come out of the net. In all seriousness, this would, IMO be more for the protection of skaters than to deter goaltenders from wandering. If the goaltender can do whatever he pleases as long as it's within the rules, it's just a matter of time before it goes bad.

This is my favorite third jersey of all time. I was also thinking about something. I think the NHL could really get some great PR from this. Instead of just using pink sticks to raise money for breast cancer awareness, why not go the whole nine yards and have each team wear a special pink uni? It would obviously have to be something that would allow players to decipher who is on who's team during play, but I think it would be a great way to generate a ton of positive talk about the NHL.

That's laughable. Before EVERY game, an NHL official measures the pads of each goaltender. Stick curves are only measured if the coach of the opposing team requests a measurement. At that, it's only one specific player.

You'd be sad too if you had the best running back to ever play the game, but you couldn't get an O-line that could block. It'd be like having one of the great offensive talents of his era, say Gaborik, but stifling his abilities by placing him in a defensive system.