NHL tests prototype goalie gear sizing

[Hank 0]

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.

Huge surprise coming from a Ducks fan. You all know that if Giggy was forced to wear anything that didn't resemble a loveseat his GAA would be in the double digits.

And I love how it degrates to the same old 'I don't want to see 8-7 games'. It will never, ever get back to that.

For DECADES, the NHL had an average goals-per-game around 7.00. It's 5.5 now. That's a HUGE dip.

What I, and so many other fans are tired of, is non-talented goalies who rely on artificial means to reduce scoring - SEE J.S. GIGUERE.

What I really want to see is not the quantity but quality. There are so many classic goals that no longer exist in the NHL. We have to remember that the NHL is an entertainment business. And watching 3-5 goals per night scored the same way is not as entertaining as some of the tallies we saw in the 60's, 70's, 80's and early 90's.

Besides, my whole thinking behind it is still that I want the return of athletic goalies. People always assume those who are pro-goalie shrinkage, hate the position. Quite the contrary. I grew up watching some incredibly entertaining netminders. Now, for the most part, they all move the same - make yourself big, cut down the angles. Boring!

Basically, I want to see cheaters like Giguere out of the league. To me, he's no different than Barry Bonds. Steriods were legal in baseball when Barry hit 73 HR's, just like Giggy's laughable gear is 'legal' now. Just because it's legal in the leagues rulebook doesn't mean it's not bad for the game or cheating on some other levels.

Goalies like him are a mockery to the history of the game and a complete slap in the face to sports entertainment. I won't hide the fact that I took great pleasure in watching him get lit up by the Stars. He was atrocious because his defense was bad. Giggy is only as good as his defense. Obviously all goalies rely on their D to get wins, but most top-flight tenders will make those big saves that they shouldn't be making. Giggy never does. He's either in position and the puck hits his pads, or it's in the net. There's no inbetween like you see with Brodeur, DiPietro or even Osgood.

Edited May 12, 2008 by Hank

[Duck Guy 86]

Huge surprise coming from a Ducks fan. You all know that if Giggy was forced to wear anything that didn't resemble a loveseat his GAA would be in the double digits.

And I love how it degrates to the same old 'I don't want to see 8-7 games'. It will never, ever get back to that.

For DECADES, the NHL had an average goals-per-game around 7.00. It's 5.5 now. That's a HUGE dip.

What I, and so many other fans are tired of, is non-talented goalies who rely on artificial means to reduce scoring - SEE J.S. GIGUERE.

What I really want to see is not the quantity but quality. There are so many classic goals that no longer exist in the NHL. We have to remember that the NHL is an entertainment business. And watching 3-5 goals per night scored the same way is not as entertaining as some of the tallies we saw in the 60's, 70's, 80's and early 90's.

Besides, my whole thinking behind it is still that I want the return of athletic goalies. People always assume those who are pro-goalie shrinkage, hate the position. Quite the contrary. I grew up watching some incredibly entertaining netminders. Now, for the most part, they all move the same - make yourself big, cut down the angles. Boring!

Basically, I want to see cheaters like Giguere out of the league. To me, he's no different than Barry Bonds. Steriods were legal in baseball when Barry hit 73 HR's, just like Giggy's laughable gear is 'legal' now. Just because it's legal in the leagues rulebook doesn't mean it's not bad for the game or cheating on some other levels.

Goalies like him are a mockery to the history of the game and a complete slap in the face to sports entertainment. I won't hide the fact that I took great pleasure in watching him get lit up by the Stars. He was atrocious because his defense was bad. Giggy is only as good as his defense. Obviously all goalies rely on their D to get wins, but most top-flight tenders will make those big saves that they shouldn't be making. Giggy never does. He's either in position and the puck hits his pads, or it's in the net. There's no inbetween like you see with Brodeur, DiPietro or even Osgood.

So basically what your saying is that ANYONE can put on giggy's gear and win consistently? yep giggy won a Stanley cup and a playoff MVP with his pads only no talent at all... ok.. . And him using legal sized gear is cheating what kind of sense is that? And i cant believe you or anyone would say a goalie that plays by the rules is a mockery to nhl.And i especially like how everyone assumes if the pads go down giggy will be s***ty goaltender. Giggy is always in position to make a save how is that a bad thing? maybe he will be better if he flopped around like Hasek (which ussualy means he was out of position to begin with) and look at the stacked team Oz and Hasek play on they are good goalies but when teams play the wings they hardly get any shots on goal because of their D. I dont want to be a jerk or start crap but i am just tired of this assumption that giggy is only good because of his equipment and he "cheats" because he follows the rules. But whateva.

Edited May 12, 2008 by Duck Guy

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

LOL

Original Picture

Fake Picture

Edited May 12, 2008 by Son of a Wing

[The Secret 304]

Huge surprise coming from a Ducks fan. You all know that if Giggy was forced to wear anything that didn't resemble a loveseat his GAA would be in the double digits.

And I love how it degrates to the same old 'I don't want to see 8-7 games'. It will never, ever get back to that.

For DECADES, the NHL had an average goals-per-game around 7.00. It's 5.5 now. That's a HUGE dip.

What I, and so many other fans are tired of, is non-talented goalies who rely on artificial means to reduce scoring - SEE J.S. GIGUERE.

What I really want to see is not the quantity but quality. There are so many classic goals that no longer exist in the NHL. We have to remember that the NHL is an entertainment business. And watching 3-5 goals per night scored the same way is not as entertaining as some of the tallies we saw in the 60's, 70's, 80's and early 90's.

Besides, my whole thinking behind it is still that I want the return of athletic goalies. People always assume those who are pro-goalie shrinkage, hate the position. Quite the contrary. I grew up watching some incredibly entertaining netminders. Now, for the most part, they all move the same - make yourself big, cut down the angles. Boring!

Basically, I want to see cheaters like Giguere out of the league. To me, he's no different than Barry Bonds. Steriods were legal in baseball when Barry hit 73 HR's, just like Giggy's laughable gear is 'legal' now. Just because it's legal in the leagues rulebook doesn't mean it's not bad for the game or cheating on some other levels.

Goalies like him are a mockery to the history of the game and a complete slap in the face to sports entertainment. I won't hide the fact that I took great pleasure in watching him get lit up by the Stars. He was atrocious because his defense was bad. Giggy is only as good as his defense. Obviously all goalies rely on their D to get wins, but most top-flight tenders will make those big saves that they shouldn't be making. Giggy never does. He's either in position and the puck hits his pads, or it's in the net. There's no inbetween like you see with Brodeur, DiPietro or even Osgood.

I loved watching Fuhr and Moog... How about little Billy Smith or my fav goalie Pellie Lindburg! Hank is right the position has gotten soooo boring. The only goalies that will complain about smaller pads are the one that are worried they won't have enough talent to overcome the pad differential. I doubt you will hear a Kipprusoff complain as he has talent and makes saves that his pads alone can't.... or Hasek, same deal!

I have an idea... let them wear the oversized pads but force them to wear oversized head equipment as well... like a big inflatable duck head in anaheim... so that they have to guess at their positioning!

[Redwingsfan18 1]

LOL

Original Picture

Fake Picture

Hahaha wow, good job!

[The Secret 304]

So basically what your saying is that ANYONE can put on giggy's gear and win consistently? yep giggy won a Stanley cup and a playoff MVP with his pads only no talent at all... ok.. . And him using legal sized gear is cheating what kind of sense is that? And i cant believe you or anyone would say a goalie that plays by the rules is a mockery to nhl.And i especially like how everyone assumes if the pads go down giggy will be s***ty goaltender. Giggy is always in position to make a save how is that a bad thing? maybe he will be better if he flopped around like Hasek (which ussualy means he was out of position to begin with) and look at the stacked team Oz and Hasek play on they are good goalies but when teams play the wings they hardly get any shots on goal because of their D. I dont want to be a jerk or start crap but i am just tired of this assumption that giggy is only good because of his equipment and he "cheats" because he follows the rules. But whateva.

Giguerre himself said he is not the most athletic person! The fact Giguerre found holes in the rules and exploited them doesn't bother you as to his reasoning for doing so? And you have to be smoking crack to even compare Hasek and Giguerre. Hasek is exciting to watch becuase his style is his own and requires a hell of alot more talent and athleticism then just remaining square to the puck... and he didn't always have a good team in front of him either.

I'd be worried too if I were you! You'll see very quickly how talented he is without his stuffing! Not only him but alot of goalies... IMO Carey Price will be in the same boat!

[Rivalred 630]

thats kids equipment

Yeah, no doubt... Even when I played I used 32" pads....

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.

Everything looks too small...

Can you say Mini Mites?

[Yemack 1]

LOL

Original Picture

Fake Picture

hahaha

but I think NHL should consider using the glove in second picture

[Hank 0]

So basically what your saying is that ANYONE can put on giggy's gear and win consistently? yep giggy won a Stanley cup and a playoff MVP with his pads only no talent at all... ok.. . And him using legal sized gear is cheating what kind of sense is that? And i cant believe you or anyone would say a goalie that plays by the rules is a mockery to nhl.And i especially like how everyone assumes if the pads go down giggy will be s***ty goaltender. Giggy is always in position to make a save how is that a bad thing? maybe he will be better if he flopped around like Hasek (which ussualy means he was out of position to begin with) and look at the stacked team Oz and Hasek play on they are good goalies but when teams play the wings they hardly get any shots on goal because of their D. I dont want to be a jerk or start crap but i am just tired of this assumption that giggy is only good because of his equipment and he "cheats" because he follows the rules. But whateva.

You're right. Hasek was winning Vezina trophy after Vezina trophy on a 'stacked' Buffalo team.

Giggy has great positioning. I'm not going to take that away from him. But my point is, if Giggy isn't in absolutely perfect position, or his defense lets him down where it won't matter, he'll never, ever make that desperation save that can turn a game around. He's too slow, unathletic and bogged down with too much equipment to do that. Essentially, if his equipment weren't so big, he'd take up less net and be even easier to beat.

Remember Lilja's goal from last spring in Game 5? He wasn't screened and it was from 40 feet out. Chelios rang one off the post from the same position on an unscreened Giggy. ECHL goalies could make those saves. But Giggy is all pads and positioning. Nothing else. And it's an afront to the history of the game that a goalie with no athletic ability is able to succeed today based on gear alone.

And yes, even if it's 'within the rules' it's still an insult. Steroids weren't illegal when Bonds hit 73 dingers and yet his drug use drags the history of baseball through the mud because he was allowed to do it.

Giggy is a useless peice of crap and if the gear is reduced by even 20% he'll be the biggest waste of a giant contract since Bobby Holik. Anyone with half a brain could tell you that he'd be nothing without big gear. It's like saying Bonds would have still have hit 73 homeruns without steroids. Sure he would have. And OJ's innocent.

And if you don't like my Giggy bashing, who f**king cares. Go back to the Ducks board so all you Ducks fans can pretend Giggy's not an artificial goalie. If you honestly believe Giggy would still be in the league if he and all the other goalies were forced to wear Ken Dryden sized gear, give me some of that koolaid. I'd love to go comotose and live in la-la land once in a while too.

Besides, the coaching staff deserved the Conn Smyth in '03. Jason Krog had as many goals as Kariya that spring. Who else you going to give the award to?

Edited May 12, 2008 by Hank

[Duck Guy 86]

You're right. Hasek was winning Vezina trophy after Vezina trophy on a 'stacked' Buffalo team.

Giggy has great positioning. I'm not going to take that away from him. But my point is, if Giggy isn't in absolutely perfect position, or his defense lets him down where it won't matter, he'll never, ever make that desperation save that can turn a game around. He's too slow, unathletic and bogged down with too much equipment to do that. Essentially, if his equipment weren't so big, he'd take up less net and be even easier to beat.

Remember Lilja's goal from last spring in Game 5? He wasn't screened and it was from 40 feet out. Chelios rang one off the post from the same position on an unscreened Giggy. ECHL goalies could make those saves. But Giggy is all pads and positioning. Nothing else. And it's an afront to the history of the game that a goalie with no athletic ability is able to succeed today based on gear alone.

And yes, even if it's 'within the rules' it's still an insult. Steroids weren't illegal when Bonds hit 73 dingers and yet his drug use drags the history of baseball through the mud because he was allowed to do it.

Giggy is a useless peice of crap and if the gear is reduced by even 20% he'll be the biggest waste of a giant contract since Bobby Holik. Anyone with half a brain could tell you that he'd be nothing without big gear. It's like saying Bonds would have still have hit 73 homeruns without steroids. Sure he would have. And OJ's innocent.

And if you don't like my Giggy bashing, who f**king cares. Go back to the Ducks board so all you Ducks fans can pretend Giggy's not an artificial goalie. If you honestly believe Giggy would still be in the league if he and all the other goalies were forced to wear Ken Dryden sized gear, give me some of that koolaid. I'd love to go comotose and live in la-la land once in a while too.

Besides, the coaching staff deserved the Conn Smyth in '03. Jason Krog had as many goals as Kariya that spring. Who else you going to give the award to?

how about we agree to disagree

[al48 1]

I happen to semi-agree with Duck Guy here. Goalies these days are much better positionally and athletically than their counterparts 20-30 years ago. Goalie training is also way above and beyond what it use to be. It takes a hell of a lot more skating, athleticism, and work to be in position to have a puck hit you in the stomach consistently than it does to have to make the BIG GLOVE SAVE. That being said, I think Giguere pushes the rules to the max on equipment sizing. I don't blame him for playing within the rule, and I hardly think he'll become a worse goaltender if gear is again reduced. People said the same thing would happen after the last reduction, don't forget. Instead he went on to win a Cup. Giguere is an incredible positional goalie and his rebound control is usually above and beyond that of most tenders. That's why he rarely has to make huge saves. But, it takes a lot more setup work for him to be in those positions.

Edited May 12, 2008 by al48