Quote:
Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler
Let me turn that around on you. These goal sizes were thought up when the average player/goalie was 5'5", wore no facial protection, and had form hugging pads. Now the players/goalies are 6'1" (I think goalies are even bigger) and wear "Michelin Man" gear. So, in fact, we have shrunk the nets (by 20-25% - maybe more). All I am saying, the proportion of the goalie to the net area should be restored.
And it would help your 2nd point - the more area a goalie has to cover, the more exciting he becomes and more of a "star"/feature player. I don't recall Bishop making any exciting saves - he is just big. How many teams have been winning with interchangeable journeymen in net? Niemi, Emery, Crawford, Bishop, Andersen (almost). The fact that you can win with average spares in goal argues against your very point. Vernon, Fuhr, Hasek, Roy, Smith, Hextall were all stars (you can debate how good or bad they were, but they were featured and they were exciting). Now you just need a decent goalie. Make the nets bigger ---> goalies become more exciting and higher profile. Just like soccer/football - the goalies are huge stars.
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Just curious, but how high do you think scoring would be if those proportions were restored with the talent level that exists today?
I know people like to think that the good ol' days were great, but the quality of players available today would make the game ridiculous IMO.
I would love to see the NHL stage a few games like that to see. It might not end up like lacrosse, but I don't think it would be far off.