There has been a lot of talk about the lack of goal scoring in today's NHL and whether or not changes should be made to increase scoring.
In this edition of the hotstove we discuss whether the NHL should increase net size to help get scoring up.
Todd Cordell I wouldn't mind seeing a little more offense but I don't have as big of a problem with the decrease in scoring as most people.
In saying that I think they should increase the size of the net; although marginally. Nothing more than an inch or two in height and/or width. This would lead to an extra goal here and there but at the same time it wouldn't turn today's NHL into the early 80's NHL when there were seven or eight goals in pretty much every game on a nightly basis.
John Jaeckel No.
The league needs to do two other things instead.
First, decrease and/or limit the height of the goalies' pads. When they are in the down position, goalies can now take away the whole bottom of the net and often the 5-hole too, almost without moving.
Second, referees need to start calling the hooking, holding and especially obstruction like they were 8-9 years ago again. Not only will this increase scoring but it will ensure a style of play that is more exciting to watch.
James Tanner Yes they should. I can't even believe this is an argument with people. It's going to happen and it will barely make a difference. Goals are down over 2 per game, and there are a lot of factors, but you can't skate down the wing and score on a slapshot (unless the goalie blows it) and you should be able to.
Goalies cover too much of the net. They should make goalies smaller - that's obvious too - but the nets should get slightly bigger. As for traditionalists, they are a joke. The game of hockey changes more than any other game. At this point, what are you traditionally beholden to? No forward passes? Give me a break.
There are five ways to increase scoring and the NHL should do all of them: 1. Bigger Nets 2. Smaller Goalie Equipment 3. Call more majors (every boarding and high sticking penalty should be five minutes) 4. Go back to ref's discretion and scrap video replay or roll i back heavily. 5. Allow more battles in front of the net (stole this one from HNIC Saturday, but it makes sense).
Michael Pachla If they won't change the size of goalie equipment, absolutely.
Looking back on archival footage from the 70's and 80's era you'll see minimal equipment on goaltenders. Now they look like the Stay-puff marshmallow man in net. It's that ridiculous.
Add in that the goaltender has gotten bigger and has become even more skillful, it's even more difficult for skaters to score. A chart from Quanthockey.com has a regular season high (post Original-Six) of 8.062 goals/game in 1981-82. Last year it was 5.324.
Not sure how they'll do it but 1-2 inches over the next four or five seasons may set up the NHL for success down the road. Perhaps a half-inch over the next five seasons, with a one-year hiatus after the second year, would get the job done.
Ed Stein Absolutely not. There is no reason to change the fundamental dimensions of the game. The size of the goal is fine, the amount of space goalies take up is what has increased. If the NHL wants to make a change, how about reducing the size of goalie pads. Smaller pads would equal more scoring. I'm not talking about compromising safety, just the size of equipment that doesn't directly protect the goaltender.
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