Report: Goalies to wear adjusted pants in 2016-17

Former NHL goaltender & Sportsnet analyst Corey Hirsch breaks down how the NHL can increase scoring by making a few alterations to goalie equipment.

According to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports, NHL goaltenders will wear adjusted (read: smaller) pants in 2016-17.

Renaud Lavoie on Twitter

Renaud Lavoie on Twitter

Calling the move a “done deal”, Lavoie also reported that the NHL and NHLPA are working toward reducing the size of upper-body equipment as well.

Currently, the NHL rulebook states that pants must be “anatomically proportional and size specific based on the individual physical characteristics of that goalkeeper” as decided by the league’s hockey operations department.

Last season, the pants could be up to 10 inches wide as measured from five inches above the bottom of the pant.

Any changes made to equipment sizes need to be done with enough time for manufacturers to be able to produce gear that abides by the new regulations.

Lavoie is saying that both the league and the players’ association are “hoping” new upper-body equipment will be ready by 2016-17.

During the 2015-16 season, the NHL saw an average of 2.71 goals per game, its lowest total since 2003-04.

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