stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted December 4, 2007 (edited) Everyone always says reducing the size of the goaltenders pads will increase scoring. I think that is an easy copout answer. Today's game is a defense first game. If you reduce the size of the pads, not only do I think it wouldn't increase scoring much if at all, I also think it would create a more defensive system. Here's why. 1. The size of a goaltenders pads isn't the 'problem'. The comparison the original poster made with the picture is laughable. If you are going to use that as any sort of basis for comparison, you must also look at the players equipment. Remember, back then there were no curved sticks, skates were merely sneakers with blades, and shots rarely were lifted. 2. Goaltenders are no longer the guys who can't play a skaters position. Goaltenders are now some of the best athletes. Years ago, the goalie was the guy who couldn't skate. In today's game you have guys like Marty who are incredible athletes. 3. In regards to the more defensive game by reducing pads. There is no doubt that some goaltenders would truely suffer from smaller pads (although I believe this number is very low). However, I think this would give coaches an excuse to play a more defensive system. You would see more blocked shots than ever. I don't think there are any quick fixes to increase scoring, short of those that would harm the integrity of the game. One thing that I think would help the flow of the game is increasing the ice surface to international playing surface size. During the Olympics you see a much more open flowing game than in the NHL. For the most part, the players are the same, it's just the systems that are different. If you have ever played on an international sized ice surface, you know how much more ice there is to use. Guys like Lecavalier, Datsyuk, and Crosby would have more ice to make plays with. Guys like Gaborik, Ovechkin, and Kovalchuk could use their speed to get into better position. If nothing else, it would be something worth trying. I respectfully disagree - I addressed most of those points in the posts above, and like I said in my last post too, to each their own on point of view, but it is something you shouldn't dismiss Also, the IIHF is adopting the NHL sized rink, so why would the NHL change something that has been around since the beginning of it's history, when this format is even going away in international competition? - Research has shown the NHL sized rinks lead to a more fast paced, exciting game- Read the article here this is like making nets bigger - it's messing with the core of the game (not to mention, I'm pretty sure that the BOV wouldn't exactly like the idea of cutting out up to 300 or more lower bowl seats to make the room for this - it would never fly) You gotta work with what you got and think of all angles... Edited December 4, 2007 by stevkrause Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
