When the NHL/NHLPA competition committee met in June, they once again discussed the possibility of tweaking goaltender equipment. It's been a subject of much debate over the years since scoring has decreased throughout the league.
New Jersey Devils goaltender Cory Schneider was one of many players represented during the discussions in New York. At that time, it was recommended that a committee be formed to research possible changes to make sure the proper decision is made in regard to goalie equipment. That process is ongoing.
"It's a relevant point," Schneider told ESPN.com. "As long as everyone is doing it then it shouldn't really have an impact. You should move up and down if everyone is doing the same thing. I'm very progressive and other guys may not be. I think we should all be on the same playing field doing the same thing and let the talent win out. If you're talented, can move around the net and stop pucks, those are the guys that should be in the league. Not to say there are guys who aren't like that because everyone is an incredible goalie, but you have guys now that at 6-foot-5, 6-foot-6, 6-foot-7 and the net stays the same size. I can see why there's a push to make an adjustment.
"Again, it's without compromising safety or the integrity of the game to a certain point. We should be protected and anything in excess of that is not necessarily needed, so we'll work with [the league] but there are goalies to think about and we'll do what's in their best interest, too."
The 3-on-3 overtime format was one rule change implemented that will affect goaltenders, too. In the past, when a regular-season game ended in a tie, the teams would play 4-on-4 for five minutes. Last month, the Board of Governors approved the new 3-on-3 format.
"It's going to be interesting for the goalies," Schneider said with a smile. "I was a passenger during that discussion. I suggested a side category where a goalie's 3-on-3 stats could be hidden away and not put into your main stats, because it's going to be tough. There's so much talent in the NHL and sometimes 5-on-5 opens up, but 3-on-3 is going to open up and fans are really going to love it. It's going to be up and down the ice. It's going to be hard for us goalies, so we're going to have to be really sharp and ready to go."