The latest narrative on the NHL’s scoring woes has centered once again on goalie equipment, but what’s important to note is that the NHL Players’ Association is in step with the league in the current effort to shrink the armor.

Which is not to suggest necessarily that the NHLPA wasn’t interested in goalie equipment before; it was, but the point here is that from the get-go this new effort has been a partnered approach.

Specifically, star netminder Cory Schneider has been part of the discussion via his membership on the NHL-NHLPA Competition Committee.

Schneider, with the support of the other players on the Competition Committee, has had a healthy dialogue with the NHL hockey operations department’s Kay Whitmore -- aka the goalie sheriff -- in trying with manufacturers to streamline gear in the chest and pant area.

"It’s something we’ve discussed pretty much every year since I’ve been on the committee and it’s been one of the main six or seven focal points we’ve talked about," Schneider said over the phone Wednesday. "Two years ago we had the pad height changes. I feel like we’ve been in pretty good agreement as to where we want to take it. It was brought up again this past summer basically for next season [2016-17]. Because it does take a while to get the wheels moving and get the manufacturers on board and kind of make sure everyone is happy with what we’re doing. If we want to do something we have to act now as opposed to waiting for the summer again when it’s too late."

The latest wave of debate was sparked from last week’s GMs meeting in Toronto, where renewed discussion of the game’s lackluster scoring -- we are almost back down to pre-2005 lockout scoring levels -- zeroed in as it almost always does on two main subjects: reduced goalie equipment and/or bigger nets.

It also put goalies around the league on record yet again. Jonathan Quick said bring it on, he can live with smaller equipment, whatever is good for the game.

And Ryan Miller came out swinging the other way.

"I’ve read some of the comments," said Schneider. "With goalies it’s funny, it’s an inherently insecure position, you’re always being challenged, you always have someone trying to take your job. But the main thing is that guys want to know that it’s a level playing field. It’s peace of mind knowing the guy at the other end isn’t doing something to get an advantage that you’re not. I don’t think it’s a rampant issue, I don’t think guys are cheating left and right, trying to add stuff or get away with bigger gear.

"But as a goalie you’re always like, 'Man, he looks bigger, why does his upper body look bigger? Do I look that big?' Those are the kind of things that go through your mind sometimes," chuckled Schneider.

"What we all want is an equal playing field."

And so the current effort is to streamline the gear in the pant and chest area in time for next season. Essentially what they’re looking at with manufacturers is to round out the equipment and make it less square.

"I think the key word we used is 'contoured,'" said Schneider. "Again, we want to make sure guys are protected, that’s No. 1, that’s what we talked about. They’re making things out of Kevlar now and reinforced plastic. I get the odd stinger or bruises but I’m not sure how many games have been lost to puck-related injuries from goalies. Safety is paramount but I think we have the materials now where we can create smaller, lighter and faster and guys can still be protected."

If all goes well, there will be new equipment to show at the GMs meeting in March; plus the players via the Competition Committee will also need to look at it with the hope it all gets approved in time for next season.

The point, obviously, is to find more areas for the puck to go through.

"There are no holes on goalies anymore," said Schneider. "And if a puck goes through a guy it’s considered a bad goal these days. I don’t know if it’s an equipment issue or goalies are just that good, but I think you can reasonably ask the question: If a guy has a 32-inch waist, does he really need a 42-inch waist pant? Is that protecting him or is that just taking up area? So I think we’re just trying to take that middle ground between protection and taking up space."

And remember, the pads were shortened before the 2013-14 season, on average about two inches depending on a goalie’s height. So this current effort wouldn’t be the first measure taken.

Plus, Schneider doesn’t think this is the be-all, end-all solution to the game’s current scoring problems.

"I think there’s a lot of other issues at play, too," said the well-spoken Devils netminder. "Smaller goalie gear is not going to increase shots on goal. I also think defensive systems now, the way teams are blocking shots and limiting time and space, I think that’s probably the biggest part. And secondly, I think goalies are just so good these days. Teams are easily two or three goalies deep now. You get a guy in the minors who could easily be playing in this league. It’s pretty incredible how far goaltending has come."

But bigger nets? No thanks, said Schneider.

"I think that would be a little extreme. That would be like making a smaller puck," chuckled Schneider.