AGENT WORRIES MORE INJURIES ON THE WAY

ing small tweaks to provide them with the proper protection. Fleury is still awaiting replacement parts with preseason already started and the regular season quickly approaching.

“I think it just feels a little bit rushed,” Fleury said. “There are still some complaints about parts, so we’re still waiting for pieces to be signed off on by the league.

“I’m hoping I get the pieces here in time. It would have been nice to get comfortable, make sure it’s safe and wait for parts before the season started,” he said.

The changes include making the shoulder floaters (small pieces that hang on the shoulders) 1.5 inches narrower, and narrower arm pads around goalies’ elbows.

The smaller protectors are designed to make the pads fit the shape of the goalie’s body and not protrude.

Fleury said there had been a small number of shots in practice he thought were going to hit his shoulder but sailed by and into the net.

“Our focus at the (NHL Players Association) has always been the safety of the players and the fairness in the game. As goalies are just now starting to receive their new gear, we are in contact with them to gather their feedback,” Mathieu Schneider, the NHLPA’S special assistant to the executive director, told Ingoal magazine in August.

“This has been a process that has been ongoing for years, and we realize there’s still work to be done to get over the finish line,” Schneider added.

Fleury said he had already felt a few stingers on his arms from shots that normally wouldn’t hurt. It’s why he’s hoping to have different pieces for his elbows before he gets onto the ice for the regular season.

Fleury’s agent, Allan Walsh, commented on the new pads in a tweet, posting that he had “talked to several NHL goalies who feel the reduced padding around the neck and shoulders will lead to more injuries.”

On a positive note, goalies agree that the pads are much lighter than the previous ones.

“I actually feel like once I break it in, it’ll be even better,” Golden Knights goalie Oscar Dansk said. “It’s a little lighter and once it’s broken in, I’ll be a little more mobile in it.”

Teammate Malcolm Subban said he noticed an improvement in his arm mobility as well and didn’t mind the smaller shoulders too much.

Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant said the equipment tweaks wouldn’t change much for him or his staff.

“I’m sure the shooters will see more room so I’m sure they’re talking about it, but we haven’t said anything as a coaching staff,” he said. “Twenty minutes ago, we were looking at a picture of Bernie Parent when he played, and it looked like he had no gear on. It’s amazing how things change.”