More space for shooting equals more space for scoring.
That's the thinking of New York Islanders winger Josh Ho-Sang, a proponent of bigger nets in a bid to see more goals in the NHL.
"It's not rocket science. They can literally make the nets wider and not make them (deeper). It's the same game," Ho-Sang told Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "If you want more goals, that's what I'd do."
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In recent seasons, the NHL has toyed with various tweaks to create more offensive opportunities, from a reduction in goalie equipment, to reviews on goaltender interference, to the implementation of hybrid icing, among other ideas.
Bigger nets, an idea championed by Ho-Sang, represents a starker change.
"The goalies are really good. That's reality," Ho-Sang added. "The technology side has to give because athletes are just going to keep getting better. There are goalies who aren't in the NHL that are outrageously good."
| Season | Total Goals | Goals Per Game |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 6704 | 5.45 |
| 2015-16 | 6565 | 5.34 |
| 2014-15 | 6549 | 5.32 |
| 2013-14 | 6573 | 5.34 |
(Information courtesy of SportingCharts.com)
The NHL's goals per game has remained relatively stable over the past four full seasons, and since the introduction of the salary cap, has averaged more than six goals per game just once, reaching 6.05 in 2005-06.
Maybe Ho-Sang is on to something. No doubt he's speaking from experience. After beginning last season with the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Ho-Sang moved up to the Islanders, where he netted 10 points in 21 games.
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