Goalies Ready for a Bigger Curve

A new NHL rule means one thing to NHL goaltenders.

“Any time they do something, it’s always about trying to increase scoring,” goaltender Dan Cloutier said. “I guess that’s a reflection on how good the goaltending has become.”

This time it’s about sticks, as the league increased the amount of curve players can have on their blades, from half an inch to three-quarters of an inch. That will mean a few more wicked and unpredictable shots goaltenders will face each game.

But Cloutier preferred a realistic approach when the rule change was announced.

“Guys were already using illegal sticks, they just weren’t getting caught,” said Cloutier, who was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks in July. “It doesn’t matter to me whether the game is 1-0 or 5-4, as long as we win. That’s the only thing I’m concerned about.”

Besides, goaltenders, former and current, are already touting silver linings that will help them do the job better.

“There are tradeoffs,” said Kings assistant general manager Ron Hextall, who was a goaltender for 13 seasons in the NHL. “The curve allows you to get a harder shot, but it’s more difficult to get off backhand shots. Those are actually the ones that are tough on goaltenders.”

The changes follow a season where scoring increased 18% a game, mostly because of referees Draconian application of obstruction rules.

“I can understand the concerns about the curve on sticks in the past, when goaltenders didn’t wear masks,” center Craig Conroy said. “There’s no reason for it now.”

Still, General Manager Dean Lombardi is worried about the larger implications and opposed the suggestion that sticks should have an unlimited curve.

“If the curves get too big, all kids will just shoot from long range, they won’t learn the game the right way,” Lombardi said. “It’s like basketball, all kids want to do is dunk. I’m old school. We have a beautiful game, let’s not mess with it too much.”

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Forward Anze Kopitar has impressed the Kings’ hierarchy to no end, including Jack Ferreira, a special consultant.

“He is as good as Paul Kariya was when he first came to the Ducks,” said Ferreira, who was the Ducks’ general manager at the time. “Paul was 19 then, like Anze is now. He was a faster skater, but Anze is bigger.”

Kopitar was one of the best players on the ice Tuesday, going against San Jose’s Joe Thornton, who won the Hart Trophy last season. He is trying to make the team out of camp instead of being sent to Manchester in the American Hockey League.

“He played in the Swedish Elite League last season, and that was a big step,” Coach Marc Crawford said. “Is that enough to skip the AHL right now? The preseason will tell. Anze has a thirst for knowledge. You got to love that in a player.”

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Forward George Parros (groin injury) skated Friday morning but did not join the team for practice.

chris.foster@latimes.com