Petr Mrazek-Glove.jpg

Some believe the NHL should reduce the equipment size for goaltenders, like the Red Wings' Petr Mrazek, in order to increase scoring.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

The NHL has been seeking ways to increase scoring for several years but hasn't had much success.

Last season, teams averaged 2.67 goals per game. In the past five seasons, the average has ranged from 2.65 to 2.67 goals per game. In 2003-04, clubs averaged 2.57 goals per game, the lowest output since 1955-56. That preceded a lockout that canceled the season and led to a slew of rules changes that increased offense significantly in 2005-06, when teams averaged 3.03 goals per game.

But they've been in a steady decline since, in large part to better defensive systems and bigger and better goaltenders.

Scoring was one of the main issues for the Detroit Red Wings last season, when they averaged just 2.55 goals per game, down from 2.82 the year before. Generating offense has been a problem the past three playoffs, contributing to first-round exits.

Many changes have been discussed in recent years in an effort to boost scoring, including widening the ice surface (not a realistic option, removing so many lower-bowl seats) and enlarging the nets (doubt this will ever happen). They're not going to four-on-four play during regulation. They're not going to make players serve the duration of minor penalties even if the opposition scores on the power play (this might not be a bad idea).

So what can be done?

One MLive reader believes he has the solution.

Q: The NHL has become harder to watch. Not enough goals scored, too much of the trap and goalies are getting bigger. I fear this trend will continue and hockey will be like World Cup soccer with mostly 1-0 and 2-1 games. Why doesn't the league crack down on goalie equipment, make pads smaller? I guarantee that would solve the problem. - Derrick

A: One thing that really stands out watching highlights from the '70s and '80s is the smaller goalie pads and the overall size of goaltenders. There are so many goalies today that are 6-5, 6-6, 6-7 and there's just not as much room for the puck to get through.

The NHL has reduced the size of goalie equipment in recent years, shortening the length of pads in 2013. This year they are streamlining the chest, upper body and pants areas.

The league has always cited safety concerns in its reluctance to further shrink equipment, so they'll never go back to the look from 30-40 years ago.

A little more scoring would be nice, but many low-scoring games are exciting to watch, too, as long as the pace is fast and scoring chances plentiful.

Q: Pair one or two defenseman Kyle Quincey has not signed yet. Does that indicate just how weak the Wings' defense was last season or is it a reflection of his talent and performance level? - Kurt

A: It's surprising Quincey hasn't signed yet. I had a feeling he wanted to return to Colorado, where he lives in the off-season, but the Avalanche appear set on defense. New Jersey has only five defensemen on its NHL roster. Maybe he's had offers but is holding out for more money or term.

I don't think it's a reflection of Quincey's ability. He had been one of the Red Wings' steadier defensemen the past couple of seasons. The Red Wings' defense wasn't good enough last season - we didn't Quincey to still be on the market in August to validate that point.

Q: I recall the Wings were interested in James Wisniewski over the summer of 2011. They eventually signed Ian White to a more affordable deal, while Wiz secured a rich, long-term contract with Columbus. Wisniewski is a right-handed shot, has produced a high volume of points over his career (particularly on the power play), has averaged over 20 minutes per game, plays with an edge, and is a Michigan native. Given he has been bought out after missing the past season, is there any chance the Wings might actually take a flier on him? He could represent a low-risk, high-reward type of signing. An incentive-laden contract for a 32-year-old defenseman might be better than surrendering young assets for (Kevin) Shattenkirk or (Cam) Fowler. -- Anthony

A: I don't think they'd be interested in Wisniewski anymore, even though he has some qualities they can use (puck-moving ability, power play QB, right shot). Ken Holland said he doesn't want a No. 4-6 defenseman, he wants a top pairing guy or at worst a No. 3. If they make a move for a D-man I think it'll be a younger guy with upside. Also, they can't sign a free agent without shedding salary.

Q: Clubs can protect seven forwards and three defensemen or eight skaters (forwards and defensemen, for the 2017 expansion draft). What teams have four quality defensemen that they need to protect? - Kurt

A: Winnipeg, Minnesota and Nashville, to name a few. The Jets have Dustin Byfuglien, Tyler Myers, Tobias Enstrom and Jacob Trouba. The Wild have Ryan Suter, Jared Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin, Marco Scandella and Matt Dumba. The Predators have P.K. Subban, Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis.

The Rangers might be another, with Marc Staal, Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi and Kevin Klein.

Q: Do you know why Ryan Sproul has not signed with the Red Wings? Do you think he has a future with the Red Wings and how good is he? -- Ford.

A: Some restricted free agents don't get signed until just before training camp.

Hard to say at this point whether Sproul has a future with the Red Wings. Right now, he's no higher than eighth in the pecking order and they're likely to carry seven defensemen. If they were high on him they would have wanted to get a better look at him before his waiver-exemption status expired at the end of last season, but his lone NHL game was the season finale in 2013-14.

Sproul, 23, is a good-sized (6-4, 206), right-shooting offensive defenseman who can quarterback the power play. He needs to improve defensively. He struggled in 2014-15 with the Grand Rapids Griffins but is coming off a decent season, with 12 goals and 35 points in 75 regular season games and nine points in nine playoff games.

An injury to one of the top seven defensemen in training camp or the preseason could buy them some time.

I think Sproul would be claimed if waived, but you never know.

Q: What are the chances the Wings move (Johan) Franzen's contract, being he is likely on LTIR for the remainder of it. I think most people forget the LTIR cap relief formula, and that you only get the relief if you are at the cap, which from my understanding can make mid-season moves more difficult. - Nick.

A: Pavel Datsyuk was attractive to the low-spending Arizona Coyotes because they got his cap hit ($7.5 million) without having to pay him a dime.

No team will want to take Franzen's cap hit ($3.95 million the next four seasons) while having to actually pay him, at least not the next two seasons, when he's due $3.5 million and $2 million. Maybe there will be interest in the final two years, when he'll make only $1 million per season.

Thanks for participating. If you have a Red Wings or hockey-related question, email me at akhan1@mlive.com.