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Blackhawks’ Crawford stands against smaller goalie pads

Columbus Blue Jackets v Chicago Blackhawks

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 24: of the Chicago Blackhawks of the Columbus Blue Jackets at the United Center on February 24, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Jonathan Daniel

Count Corey Crawford as a member of the goaltending fraternity not in favor of reducing the size of goalie equipment - specifically leg and knee pads.

“Honestly, I don’t think it’s really how many goals are scored that makes the game exciting,” Crawford, the Chicago Blackhawks netminder, told ESPN Chicago on Friday.

“I think it’s the speed and skill, the passing. I think as long as the game is fast, it’ll be exciting. If we get 10-8 hockey games, doesn’t mean it’s going to be an exciting game. Just got to make sure the refs call the hooking and holding penalties and just let the speed of the game continue.”

The topic of reducing the size of goalie equipment was once again a topic of discussion among NHL general managers at their meetings earlier this week.

There were, according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun and citing Kay Whitmore, a former NHL goalie who now works with the league’s operations department, two recommendations made: 1) shortening height of goalie pads above the knee, and 2) make sure the knee pads are less bulky and more conforming.