from Kevin Woodley of InGoal Magazine,

Henrik Lundqvist isn’t worried about the impending changes to goaltending equipment in the NHL – as long the New York Rangers’ star gets enough time to adjust to them.

“If they change it, as long as I have the new gear early August it should be fine,” Lundqvist wrote in an email to InGoal Magazine from his native Sweden.

It’s no longer a question of “if” when it comes to goalie equipment changes.

According to several sources close to the ongoing equipment talks, the NHL Players’ Association informally approved a reduction in the overall height of its goaltender’s pads at its meetings last week after an internal survey showed strong support for change. Unfortunately, that polling – and therefore the approval – wasn’t specific enough for the NHL, leaving questions about interpretation and implementation of the new pad height restrictions, while also failing to address the League’s request for smaller kneepads.

It set up a potentially contentious meeting between the two sides in New York late this week. Meanwhile equipment manufacturers, many with goalies already wanting new gear for summer skates, await final measurements so they can start producing next year’s equipment.

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