For some time now I've been critical of the size of goaltending equipment and the role it plays in reducing goals-scored. 

The NHL to its credit legislated changed restricting the size of goaltending equipment both prior to and following the lockout, but I've still believed that it could do more.

Fortunately, I'm not the only one who believes this. Here's what future Hockey Hall of Famer Brett Hull did to drive home this point during his debut on NHL on NBC this past weekend (courtesy of William Houston of the Globe & Mail):

"Another Hull commentary addressed the proposal to enlarge the nets to increase goal scoring. He called it, "one of the dumbest ideas I've heard in an awful long time."

Using a net and goalie equipment in the studio, he demonstrated how changes -- softening the corners of the pads, narrowing arm pads, getting rid of the wide "cheater" at the base of catching glove and reducing the thickness of the posts -- would provide more room for the shooters."

The Golden Brett is right on the money with this one.

Now obviously goaltenders are far better conditioned and trained than they were 15, 20, or 30 years ago, and that's made them more adept at blocking shots than their predecessors. Still, as Hull pointed out, those goalies still have the advantage of their equipment (and the thickness of the goalposts, something I never thought of until Hull mentioned it) to gain an advantage over shooters.

Neither Hull or myself are suggesting that a goalie's safety should be sacrificed by further equipment reductions, but obviously further changes can be made that can improve scoring chances and still protected goaltenders.

I hope the NHL, or the new rules committee, were paying attention.