Giguere Is OK With Changes

The proposed rule changes, endorsed by NHL general managers, are fine with Mighty Duck goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere. He just has one request.

“Any rule changes they make, I hope they come talk to players directly first,” Giguere said. “We are the ones who will be affected.”

Giguere was not concerned about the proposed rules that would prohibit goalies from handling the puck behind the goal line and would reduce the width of leg pads from 12 inches to 10 inches. He said he was more concerned about input.

“The guys making the changes haven’t played the game in a long time,” Giguere said. “They might think they know, but they don’t. The game has changed. They need to do it the right way and get players involved.

“The handling the puck, that’s not my forte. But it might change how other teams play. Defensemen might get hit more behind the net. They aren’t going to like that at all.”

The proposals -- which include moving the goals back three feet to create more room in the neutral zone -- are being made to boost scoring, NHL officials hope.

“We all want excitement in the game,” Giguere said. “I don’t know if those rule changes will do that. There might be more goals, but I don’t know if that would be more exciting. You want skill players to be able to play, let’s enforce the rules on obstruction.”

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Former goalie and future Hall of Famer Patrick Roy said over the weekend that goalie pads should be reduced to 10 inches, which amused Giguere.

“He never said that as a player,” Giguere said. “I guess when you retire you get better ideas.”

-- Chris Foster