Goalies turn on each other over equipment changes!

We don’t think it is just the National Hockey League goalies getting uncomfortable with the new equipment… Fans are feeling the tension in the goaltender union especially since loud assertive laments have come from Washington’s Braden Holtby and Marc-Andre Fleury, who believe the equipment change is unnecessary and, in some cases, unsafe.

Philadelphia Flyers’ Brian Elliott and Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck have also complained about the shrunken chest protectors and it feels now that something should be done about this. 

“I’ve already sent a couple emails to (NHL vice-president of hockey operations) Kay Whitmore. I’m getting bruised like crazy on my arms,” Elliott said earlier this season. “I think that’s the biggest issue, they take away padding in the arms. It seems like every shot that you take that’s not clean on your blocker or in your glove, it’s leaving a mark.”

In his latest 31 Thoughts column on Sportsnet, along with a devoted segment on the latest podcast with host Jeff Marek, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman tried to dissect the issue and where it could be heading. 

It appears that some goalies are even turning on each other, seeing that not everyone has the same view on the changes. One netminder 
privately said to Friedman that when he declined to say anything to a reporter, others texted him their disapproval: 

“They said we all had a duty to speak out.”

While hard feelings are being felt across the League, one important issue remains front and centre: safety. Earlier this week, Holtby told the Associated Press, “You can deal with bumps and bruises and stuff. It’s when you hope someone doesn’t get a broken bone or some sort out of it.”

Of course, not everyone agrees about making changes again, especially when they are having success in between the pipes with the new equipment. 

“There are those who feel they don’t need bigger equipment to be successful and aren’t sympathetic to those who do. It also is clear that some equipment companies were much better prepared than others, which adds to the frustration and may lead to certain netminders wearing gear they don’t endorse, since no one can see the labels,” wrote Friedman on Sportsnet earlier this week. 

One thing that seems clearer right now is that something should have been said before. Friedman adds that “goalies were warned for years that if they didn’t get ahead of this, they would lose control of the situation.”

And now we are here, with a group of players with the same jobs and responsibilities are going against one another to find a middle ground… 

But let’s not forget: if this becomes a safety issue, why not do something about it?