Althouse: "It’s like five, 10 years ago, when it was the True Religion jeans, really baggy. It’s like going from those to skinny jeans."

January 30, 2017

"It’s like five, 10 years ago, when it was the True Religion jeans, really baggy. It’s like going from those to skinny jeans."

"You can’t bend over. I tried it one time, and it felt like it was really restrictive," said Mike Smith, a goalie for the Arizona Coyotes hockey team.

The new tight pants are not a fashion statement or an attempt to get women to watch. It's to make it easier to score. It makes sense: Having giant pants is not an athletic achievement. You want to watch what a man can do, not what big pants can do.

13 comments:

Carol said...: For the life of me I don't see what they're talking about.

But then I don't watch hockey either.

I sure hated the switch to baggy shorts in basketball though.; 1/30/17, 4:21 PM
Curious George said...: They're called pants but are really shorts. I don't think the change will matter.; 1/30/17, 4:34 PM
MAJMike said...: DON'T OBJECTIFY ME!!!!!

Well, maybe a little. Wrangler's jean do make my butt look nice, thus sayeth my Lovely Bride.; 1/30/17, 4:40 PM
rehajm said...: Goaltenders need surface area. It's easier to create surface area if you can stuff your pants with more pants, or pads...

That said if the new pants are restrictive that's a legitimate beef. These are people who have been know to snip a tendon or two for improved mobility.; 1/30/17, 4:45 PM
mccullough said...: The skills of the average NHL forward far exceed those of a generation ago. The quickness and accuracy of the shooting and passing are incredible. Like the NBA, NFL, and MLB, the level of play is astonishing. The best goalies in the league are amazing.; 1/30/17, 5:13 PM
Achilles said...: They are going to start cutting them and making pregame improvements soon.; 1/30/17, 5:47 PM
CJ said...: The NHL was asleep at the switch to have ever allowed the Michelin Man pads. Combine that with a tall goaltender and there just isn't enough scoring. Next step soccer.; 1/30/17, 5:48 PM
Tari said...: I went to a hockey farm of a high school, so I'm embarrassed by my ignorance on this point, but ...

Why on earth would the team or league get to tell the goalie what pants he wears under all that equipment? It seems to be something that would not effect the other players, so why do they care? Tell the man, "black pants, because the rest of the team wears black pants" and let it go at that. These guys have been playing hockey since they were, what, 4 years old? I think they know what equipment works best for them.; 1/30/17, 6:24 PM
Curious George said...: Tari, the league is trying to increase scoring (fans like it). Goalies have been wearing oversize pants to become bigger and fill more of the goal opening. The league wants to eliminate them to hopefully increase scoring. We'll see if it works (I doubt it); 1/30/17, 6:39 PM
Tari said...: Thanks, Curious George.; 1/30/17, 9:24 PM
theo said...: The tailoring of anyone's shorts should be a personal decision.
Goalies need a bit of room to move.; 1/30/17, 11:38 PM
theo said...: Where is the "shorts tag"?; 1/30/17, 11:40 PM
Andy Krause said...: The pants help pad the 90+ mile an hour bullets that fly at the goalie. Show some mercy. Next thing you know they will say the goalie helmets are too big and the decals are distracting. If they want more goals then go 4 on 4.
Signed goalie dad; 1/31/17, 9:14 PM