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New goalie equipment, more cameras coming to the NHL next season

By Leah Smith

Mar 18, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) makes a save during warmup against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) makes a save during warmup against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NHL General Managers met in Florida for their annual meetings to discuss the state of the game and decide on any changes.

This past week, the NHL General Managers met in Boca Raton, Florida, and while much of the attention was on the flashy topic of expansion, there were other important topics discussed and rule changes made. These included goalie equipment changes, and expanded scope for coaches’ challenge.

In the supposed name of safety, the size of goalie pads has been ever growing, leading to less space for scorers to shoot. For years, there has been talk of limiting the size of the equipment to try and increase scoring in a league that has seen offensive numbers decline in the last few seasons. The NHLPA has been dragging its feet on the issue over concerns of increased risk of injury to goaltenders. But now the NHL is ready to pull the trigger on the equipment changes.

A small group of goalies have been working with equipment manufacturers to create more form-fitting pads that are just as safe, but make it so goalies are not just walls in the net. In addition to possibly leading to more scoring, the new equipment is meant to separate the more skilled netminders, from the guys who get away with just standing in front of the puck and letting it hit them. The new equipment rules will come into effect for the start of the 2016-2017 season.

The other big rule change to come out of the meetings was adding cameras to increase the scope of coaches’ challenges. This will mean putting cameras at the blue line boards to better review offside calls, as well as even more angles to review other challenges from. The aim is to install these cameras in the 16 playoff rinks, and then expand to the remainder of the league in the offseason.

Also discussed, was the salary cap for next season which could remain flat at $71.4 million. This could cause major problems for teams that are right up against the cap and have players looking for raises in the offseason.

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