Much has taken place lately in the NHL and I feel obligated to relay over what I think I know thus far. From implementing new rules to potentially decimating injuries, the league has been faced with all it can handle. Have Commissioner Gary Bettman, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, and Senior Executive VP of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell managed to overcome low scoring, poor television ratings (outside of the Winter Classic) to regain the professional sport’s fourth position behind NFL, MLB and NBA? Absolutely not. Yet, I am here today, hoping and praying that one day the league will return to its normal viewing slot.

We have the annual GM Meetings in Naples, Fla. this week. The executives have discussed goaltender equipment, overtime penalty rules and trades among other topics. The Canadian Press reported that the general managers spent a lot of time focused on the goaltender equipment issue. Let me explain.

There are several goalies who rely on larger pads to increase their save production and prevent . Our own blogger Dude Joel, a goalie himself, had already tackled this issue, attacking the enormous equipment worn by many netminders.

He believes that, “One can hold a combination of pad size and the modern-day butterfly style accountable for the decrease in goal output among other factors. Today, hockey instructors teach children the butterfly position for its simplicity and perceived effectiveness (just because it’s used league wide doesn’t mean it’s the best option). Even immobile goaltenders can win games with these oversized pads that block off the entire bottom portion of the net.”

It’s very simple. If I’m a large, I don’t order an extra-small. Or vice versa, in this case. Take, for example, 6-foot-2 Martin Brodeur and Manny Legace, who is 5-9. You would assume they wear different sizes. Instead, Joel completed his homework, revealing a small secret.

Martin Brodeur wears 34 ½-inch pads, which are 3 ½ inches smaller than those of Manny Legace. While Brodeur stands tall at 6’2,” Legace is only 5’9,” and therefore, should not wear pads at the maximum size.

Interesting.

The managers have decided to abolish the protection used by some goaltenders. Does that mean a new law will be passed, preventing smaller goaltenders from gaining the upper hand? I sure hope so. Brodeur is one of the few netminders who still uses the smaller pads. He's had more success than every goaltender other than Patrick Roy. But, people forget how talented Brodeur is. For gosh sakes, he's scored twice as a goaltender.

What's the deal with Peter Forsberg???

Is he returning or not? Make up your mind already. Stop irritating the Flyers, who are in disarray and have a 2-7-1 record in their last ten games. They are in desperate need of help on the blue line, but Modry is not the answer to their problems in that regard (In the meantime, Philadelphia made a small trade, acquiring LA Kings defenseman Jaroslav Modry and his 6 points in 61 games this season for a third-round draft pick in 2008). They have allowed an average of 2.83 goals per game (20th in the league), sinking them from atop the Atlantic to the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. By this time next week, Buffalo or even the Islanders may have overtaken Philly for the final spots in the postseason. Watch out. The road to the playoffs is heating up!!! 

My Thoughts on the matter are also follows: Forsberg cannot become the next Clemens. He cannot bombard the league with un-thoughtful, selfish behavior. Instead of costing the Flyers a boatload of Dollar Dollar Bill Yo, Forsberg should give his pro-rated salary to charity. But, Forsberg's major hindurance is his slew of ankle injuries that have plagued him the past two seasons. He missed a total of 47 games between 2005-2007 and any team that signs him, must have this in mind. Especially with such a tight playoff race.

Meanwhile, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom injured his right knee on Monday. The five-time Norris Trophy winner suffered an MCL sprain and will examine the knee for further damage on Wednesday. The unofficial prognosis is that Lidstrom will be sidelined for 1-2 weeks, according to MLive.com.

Despite lacking their top two producing defensemen, Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski, the Red Wings found a way to blank Colorado 4-0 on Monday night. It was their first win since Feb. 5. After the 3-2 overtime win on the fifth of February, the Red Wings collapsed, gaining one point in the next six games (0-5-1). I am rather concerned about Lidstrom’s knee. It could make or break Detroit’s success this season. I am not sure if they matched New England Patriots’ shoes (18-0, lost in Super Bowl, finished at 18-1), or the New York Mets and their historic collapse in September. But, if Detroit fails to get out of the first or second round of the playoffs, I might consider Patriots level.

At least they didn’t have to cheat to get into the postseason.

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