The Hockey News: Headlines: Commissioner says moves to decrease size of goalie equipment to accelerate

Commissioner says moves to decrease size of goalie equipment to accelerate

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman addresses the media before the start of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals in Detroit, Saturday, May 24, 2008. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Keith Srakocic

2008-05-24 20:30:00

DETROIT - Goalie equipment will keep shrinking if NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has his way.

In his annual state-of-the-sport news conference prior to Game 1 of the championship series on Saturday night, Bettman said he expects greater progress will be made now that the NHL Players' Association in-house problems appear to have been remedied. The association's assent is needed for major equipment alterations.

With scoring slightly down this season, Bettman said a recently-struck committee will restart the effort to make goalies' pads smaller. He left no doubt where he stands on the issue.

"I wouldn't mind if there was a little more open space to shoot at," he said.

Bettman clearly is delighted that "two highly-skilled powerhouse teams" in Detroit and Pittsburgh are meeting in the final. The matchup is a stamp of approval on efforts since the lost 2004-2005 season to accentuate skill and speed.

The NHL surpassed for the first time the 21 million regular-season attendance mark, which represented 84 per cent capacity of the 30 league arenas.

Bettman said revenues will be a record $2.5 billion for 2007-2008, which means the salary cap will once again increase.

Hits on NHL.com are way up, NHL Network cable is continuing to find its way into more homes, and hoped-for growth in U.S. TV ratings is happening, too, said the commissioner, who never fails in these annual sessions to present a multitude of reasons why his league is in good shape.

Besides moving to reduce the size of goalie equipment, a decision is expected soon on the site and teams to be involved in Winter Classic 2.

Each team will play 18 interconference games next season. That's up from 10, and it means each team will play ever other team at least once. A full interlocking schedule isn't in the cards though, and inflated travel costs due to fast-increasing fuel prices is a big reason why.

For the second straight season, the regular-season openers will be played in Europe - Stockholm and Prague this time. Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and the New York Rangers will be the teams making the trips. Last year, the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings opened the season in London.

Bettman was asked why NHL and NBA playoffs games and a major-league baseball game were all schedule for the same city on Saturday night. Couldn't the NHL have started the championship series earlier and tried to avoid scheduling conflicts with other leagues?

No, said Bettman. TV commitments were made long ago, and the league didn't want to rush the Red Wings and the Penguins to begin the final because several days were required to organize events leading up to the first drop of the puck.

"I'm not happy about it but...that's life," he said.

No talks on expansion are foreseen, he added.

Regarding recent announcements of stepped-up Olympic drug testing, Bettman seemed secure in his league's system of testing athletes.

"I don't believe we have a problem," he said. "It hasn't been an issue."

Stricter doping control?

"Bring it on," said Bettman.

On ticket prices, which have priced big-league hockey out of the budgets of many Canadians, Bettman said that NHL prices are reasonable when compared to those in other pro sports.

COMMENTS (7)

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mac Posted
(2009-04-30 06:21:41)

bettman should be set adrift on an ice flow. that guy doesnt know whats good for the sport any more than lindros used to know bout concussion protection. maybe bettman out to hop out there in a set of pads and take a puck in the chest before talking bout making smaller equiptment.

anthony d Posted
(2009-04-30 06:21:29)

I wish big Gary would have addressed the diving epidemic, I know I'm sick of it, it's downright embarrassing.

Wings Fan Posted
(2009-04-30 06:21:29)

Bettman's an idiot, goalie equipment size is fine as it is. And what do they mean by scoring being down this year, there were 2, 50 goal scorers (Kovalchuk 52, Iginla 50) and Ovechkin is the first player in 12 yrs to get 60. They should leave the size's alone...

lew zucker Posted
(2009-04-30 06:21:26)

Goalie equipment was made smaller a year or two ago and scoring declined even more. Goalies have gotten that much better. Larger equipment helps prevent goals in that it takes up that much more room however, smaller sized gear allows for that much more flexibility and movement as well which in turn, reduces goals. I supposed at some point there will be a break even and increase in scoring. I hope it's not to the detriment of goalie safety. I think that eliminating the two line pass opened the game up more and now makes for faster end to end plays and a more explosive game.

Web Posted
(2009-04-30 06:21:24)

I've never had a problem with Gary Bettman. Maybe there could be someone better, but then maybe we could have another Gil Stein. Many fans, especially the so-called "purists" or "traditionalists", who only seem to exist in Canada, resent Mr. Bettman because he doesn't have a hockey background. I won't deny the NHL has some problems, but as long as the NHL is in good shape and providing a good product for us to watch, who cares who's at the helm!!

KevinC Posted
(2009-04-30 06:21:22)

Bettman's job is the make money for the owners. Period. As long as they want him in the job and as long as he wants to do the job, he'll be there.

Mike Yetter Posted
(2009-04-30 06:21:21)

I wish Bettman would go back to the NBA. His arrogance is nauseating. Great that revenue is up, and I can see why. He doesn't care about ticket pricing, tradition (original six), or for that matter anything that hockey fans hold dear. If the Wings win, I can't wait for the chorus of boos as the little man steps on the ice.