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Apr 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders goalie Thomas Greiss (1) makes a save against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period of game two of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the New York Islanders 4-1.Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Stuffing their Shoulder Pads

Garth Snow was famous for having huge shoulder pads. Like comically huge shoulder pads. Turns out that Snow was using some sort of Lacrosse hybrid shoulder pads that flared up more than regular ice-hockey goalie shoulder pads did.

So just before the 1997-98 season league disciplinarian and professional I-don’t-know-how-to-tie-a-tie-man, Brian Burke decreed that Snow could no longer wear his custom padding. Stating that the padding was not for protection and thus against the rules.

Did the shoulder pads help? Maybe. In 1996-97 Snow had a career year with a 2.52 GAA and .903 SV%. After he was told to remove them? Snow had a 2.75 GAA and .902 SV% between both Philadelphia and Vancouver. So, maybe, but if so they had a marginal effect.

Because of the directness of the request Snow had no choice but to change his padding. Although Snow was adamant that what he was doing was legal because the league didn’t have specific measurements for the gear.

Just the type of weasely loophole finding stuff you want from your future General Manager.

So shoulder pad inserts for everyone. Why? We need to look bigger, and more intimidating out there. For the goalies. Same. Maybe the extra padding will backstop us to a fifth cup. Just before the league comes in and regulates pad sizes in 2017-18. Genious.

Next: Develope Thin Skin