Inside the Sabres: Hutton, Ullmark adjusting to another NHL goalie equipment change
Martin Biron would go to great lengths to make himself as big as possible on the ice. When a new piece of goalie equipment arrived, Biron would stand in front of the mirror to see how much of the net he could take up. He would add padding to address any possible weak spots.
Like goalies across the NHL, Biron, who spent nine years with the Buffalo Sabres, was searching for a competitive advantage. That constant on-ice arms race intensified thanks to the league's most notorious equipment offender, Garth Snow, who was loathed by Sabres fans and Ted Nolan for looking like the Michelin Man in net during the 1997 Stanley Cup playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The league has since cracked down with equipment regulations, beginning with wholesale changes after the 2004-05 lockout when the league decreased the size of goalie equipment by 11 percent.
That continued this season when it mandated all goalies use smaller chest protectors, a move that was met by criticism and backlash from players across the league.
Many have told stories of painful shots to the collarbone and arms. Neither Carter Hutton nor Linus Ullmark has expressed such concerns. Both Sabres goalies said they had no choice but to adjust to how the sport continues to evolve.
"I just think it’s another thing to worry about," Hutton said. "Truthfully, I don’t even stress over it. It is what it is. They’re doing it whether you like it or not, so you just have to buy into it. I don’t mind the way the game is going. It promotes better athletes. You eliminate guys that are just big and block. I’m OK with it as long as we’re protected."