from Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com,

Fourteen seasons ago, in 2003-04, the average weight in the NHL was 206.41 pounds. This season, it has dipped below 200, to 199.54. And though the average height has also dipped, from 6-foot-1.24 in 2003-04 to 6-1.05 this season, it's not enough to account for the weight loss.

In 2003-04, there were 117 players in the NHL weighing at least 225 pounds; 17 of them were at least 6-6. Five years later, there were about the same number, 113, weighing 225. But by 2013-14 the number had dropped to 81, and this season it stands at 41, with seven of those players at least 6-6.

"I do believe there's been a movement away from a boxier-type build in a player," Boston general manager Don Sweeney said. "The game is so fast. If you can't move, you get left behind."

Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning said, "It's going to be harder and harder going forward with the speed of the League to find big-bodied guys that can keep up with the pace."

more