Some more news and notes to pass your way from Wednesday’s NHL general managers’ meetings in Toronto...
Goalie equipment
GMs have recommended to further reduce the size of goaltender equipment, according to NHL Director of Hockey Opreations Colin Campbell (courtesy ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun).
It should be noted this review will only pertain to specific pieces of equipment -- leg and knee pads.
Kay Whitmore, the former NHL goalie who currently works in the league’s operations department (specifically with goalie equipment), first began implementing pad regulations in 2011, as seen in this video:
According to LeBrun, Whitmore says there are two recommendations on the table: 1) shortening height of goalie pads above the knee, and 2) make sure the knee pads are less bulky and more conforming.
The NHL confirmed this news via Twitter, saying goalie equipment recommendations would be put in front of the Competition Committee.
Here’s more, from the Canadian Press:
“Every little piece of goaltender equipment is now a project for a goalie to get bigger,” said Campbell.
Campbell said the instructions to Kay Whitmore, the NHL’s goalie guru, are “Do what you have to do within reason to make sure they’re still protected to reduce the stopping area.”
Current rules allows goalie pads to go 55 per cent of the way between your knee and your pelvis, says Whitmore.
“The feeling of the managers today was that that seems to be a little bit too generous and if we can find maybe a number that is a little lower that provides adequate protection then we’re willing to take a look at that,” said Whitmore.
High-sticking video review
Another proposal that sounds like it’s on its way to the Competition Committee: Video review of four-minute high-sticking calls, to determine who’s stick -- an opponent’s, or a teammate’s -- hit the player in question.
The high-sticking double minor (or, “extra two for bleeding”) results in a four-minute power play, which be a real momentum swinger, so it makes sense GMs want to ensure the calls are correct.
Shootouts
According to the NHL’s Twitter account, there were some discussions regarding certain aspects of the shootout:For shootouts GM’s want heightened awareness on goaltender interference & ability to use video review to determine if puck stops.
— NHL (@NHL) March 20, 2013
It’s unclear if the video review idea will go to the Competition Committee.
One final thing to note regarding shootouts -- according to Yahoo!'s Nick Cotsonika, Campbell said the Kaspars Daugavins spin-o-rama move would have been called no goal if he scored.
Why? Because he was interfering with Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask and in the crease before the puck was.