from Matt Higgins of the New York Post,

The N.H.L. and the players’ union are in the process of overhauling standards governing the size and design of goaltenders’ equipment. They plan to roll out slimmer-fitting pants and chest protectors and beefed-up enforcement during the coming season, which begins next Wednesday.

“It’s basically, we want to have fairness that your gear shouldn’t make you a better player, giving you an advantage over your athleticism,” said Mathieu Schneider, special assistant to the executive director of the players’ union. “The idea is that it creates more goal scoring as well.”

Despite an increased emphasis on calling obstruction penalties to open up the game, scoring has remained flat, and the league and the players’ union continue to tinker with rules. In the meantime, goaltenders continue to get bigger and better at stopping the puck.

Ben Bishop of the Tampa Bay Lightning is 6 feet 7. The only expected No. 1 goaltender on an N.H.L. club who is shorter than 6 feet is Jaroslav Halak of the Islanders, who is 5-11. During the past 10 seasons, only one goalie under 6 feet — 5-11 Tim Thomas, with the Boston Bruins in 2008-9 and 2010-11 — has won the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the N.H.L.’s top goaltender.

“If he’s not 6-foot-1, 6-foot-2, in the draft, you don’t even look at him unless he’s really special,” said Martin Brodeur, assistant general manager for the St. Louis Blues.

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