NHL tests prototype goalie gear sizing

[ozmanftw 0]

NHL tests prototype goalie gear sizing

Giggy is screwed! They're testing chest and pants changes soon too

[Yemack 1]

it doesn't look legit at all. It is way way too small.

I know it is supposed to be a prototype but if that is true, not only Giguere but everyone is screwed.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

I like the idea, maybe a little bit bigger though. Like 5% bigger.

[shannyfan1414 0]

Yeah, i have a hard time believing this one. They guy is either a giant or those are youth sized pads. It just doesn't look legit and i hope it is not.

If it is legit, then scoring will go up for sure. I also think that you will not see another shutout ever. GAA will sore and then we will start to hear Buttman complain about how there is to much scoring and that they need to focus more on defense and making the goalie pads bigger.

Would love to get better pics and some more info on this one.

[pucker4fischer 0]

LOL looks like he's wearing a 6 year old's street hockey gear.

[RainingBlood 8]

thats kids equipment

[Duck Guy 86]

lol isnt that the same site that said Drury turned into a zombie....haha

[Izzy24 44]

Maybe they can develop a chest protector to protect goalies from mild slashes.

[Nero 20]

lol isnt that the same site that said Drury turned into a zombie....haha

Yep.

http://22hockey.com/chris-drury-zombie-outbreak/

[Cern 0]

lol isnt that the same site that said Drury turned into a zombie....haha

Or Balsillie's drug-like addiction to pursuing franchises

http://22hockey.com/balsillie-still-desperate-for-nhl-team/

[The Secret 304]

Maybe a hoax but I like what it is insinuating! I'd love to see this happen, it would not only increase the scoring but will put more skill back into the goal tending position and less padding. I used to love watching Grant Fuhr and his acrobatics now-a-days the position has become less skilled and more padded and in my opinion a lot more boring to watch. Montreal fans a swarming around their new goalie Carey Price but not only is he over padded like the rest but damn is he ever a boring goalie to watch relying almost exclusively on the positioning of his overstuffed uniform.... Might as well have him sit in the old goal judges seat using a Sealy Posturpedic attached to a stick, then we can be certain they will never get injured on interfered with!

[wingsfan75 2]

I'd have to say that the blocker and catching glove should be larger for sure. The leg pads look a bit too small but it would definitely help encourage bringing the skill level up for the goalies.

[hallelujahlogic 1]

haha...that site also contains this story: http://22hockey.com/battle-of-pennsylvania-starts-civil-war/

i love this site, it's like the onion, only hockey-specific.

[shannyfan1414 0]

Man do i feel dumb for believing this story.

I have to say that i love that site. It has some funny stuff on it.

[Hank 0]

NHL tests prototype goalie gear sizing

Giggy is screwed! They're testing chest and pants changes soon too

This is awesome news! I love how small those leg pads are.

I've always felt that 11" pads were not needed. The shin guards today provide better protection than what goalies had in the 70's and 80's. There's no need for them to stay at that width.

But the biggest thing is still the chest protection. It MUST be tapered down and I thought the goalie in that picture still had far too much gear uptop. But I'm looking foward to seeing what the prototype looks like.

I can't wait to watch Giggy's GAA balloon like his pads did. There is NO WAY he retains numbers even close to what he had with gear reduced that much. Say hello to the ECHL for me Giggy!

[JayUp88 1]

that site is great.

[Hank 0]

that site is great.

I'm not so sure it's a hoax. They do have an "Onion-ish" spin to a lot of their stories, but they do report on actual events but give their own flavour to the peice.

I hope this isn't a hoax. I like how those pads look.

[vangvace 12]

I'm thinking somewhere in between for the leg pads...

[al48 1]

Leg pads aren't the major issue at the moment. Chest and especially goalie pants are the things that need major overhauls. Funny story though.

[Hank 0]

Leg pads aren't the major issue at the moment. Chest and especially goalie pants are the things that need major overhauls. Funny story though.

Definitely.

[tazzer82 0]

Those can't be legal. No goalie would have a chance at making saves, let alone being protected from being injured. They shouldn't be focused on the pads anyhow, chest protectors are the next thing that need fixed.

[al48 1]

Definitely.

The pants are the one thing that drive me nuts. They've quadrupled in size over the past 15 years. The 5-hole cheaters get bigger, the side panels have foam inserts, they bulk up into the stomach now and extend high up on the hips....they're friggen huge.

Edited May 12, 2008 by al48

[eva unit zero 271]

I hope that story is at least legit at its base.

Nine inch pads are something I have been asking for for years, although I would like to see the length based on the goalie's size; based on height in relation to the knee or something like that.

But absolutely, nine inches should be the maximum width, and hopefully at least this portion of that story is true.

[Hank 0]

I hope that story is at least legit at its base.

Nine inch pads are something I have been asking for for years, although I would like to see the length based on the goalie's size; based on height in relation to the knee or something like that.

But absolutely, nine inches should be the maximum width, and hopefully at least this portion of that story is true.

That's what I'm hoping for too.

They were always 11" because back then you could wrap the old leather pads around the legs.

But with today's technology it's not necessary as the new pads are incredible protective on all 3 sides.

There's no need for the pads to be over 9". I liked the width of those pads. I could live with a bit more height but I'm still not going to complain.

And how are the goalies expected to stop pucks with those kinds of pads? Easy, with talent and athleticism. I'm tired of watching pads do more work than the goalie.

People need to remember that these changes are being made so that the power of the 'tender' isn't as strong and to open the game up. Hockey's always been about good goaltending but the pendulum has swung so far in their favor it's borderline insanity. I've seen so many playoff series' where a team is completely dominated from start to finish and yet they win because a goalie stonewalls them. I don't think I'd have a problem with that if most of the saves were truly based off of agility and talent. But when you watch a playoff game with Giggy and the announcers go crazy from another belly-save, it makes me sick. Let the goalies do the work, not the pads.

And if teams start getting lit up, because they allow teams in their zone to enforce the 'turtle defense', they'll be forced to fight fire with fire. A few long bombs from the boards or snap-shot goals from 15 feet out, will let teams know, you can't just sit back and hope to block everything or let their inflated goalie to act like a billboard in the net.

For me, it's not about the quantity of goals, but rather the quality. I'm tired of seeing the same standard goal over and over again; deflection, rebound, screen. I want to see some sniper-type goals from more than 6 feet out.

Having more net to shoot at will help.

I'd much rather see a 2-1 game that featured 3 goals that resulted from offensive brilliance rather than 3 goals that all came within 4 feet of the crease.

[Duck Guy 86]

honestly i dont see the MAJOR ISSUE with the goalie equipment.. keep them how they are jeez oh weez and if players complain then they just have to learn how to score... they have been doing fine. Why shrink the goalie equipment? Do people want to see 8-7 games on a constant basis? Anyone see Game 6 of stars-SJ series? 1 to 1 games are way better then 8 to 7 games in my opinion. Might as well make the nets bigger also.

Edited May 12, 2008 by Duck Guy