Bettman says streamlined goalie equipment 'still a work in progress'

The movement to streamline goalie equipment in the NHL appears to have hit a speed bump.

In March, ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reported the league is "full-steam ahead" in shrinking the gear, but speaking at a World Cup of Hockey press conference Wednesday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the process isn't yet completed.

"It's still a work in progress," Bettman said, according to Sportsnet's Mark Spector. "I know our people in hockey operations are working very hard with the players' association. I am hopeful that we can get it in place because I think it's important."

The goal was to have the equipment ready for the World Cup in September, but Spector reports the NHL and NHLPA have yet to agree on the new gear.

"We're supposed to have everything in play for Game 1 (of the World Cup)," Team Canada and St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. "But my belief on that stuff is, you worry about things you have control over. That's not something (he can control). Either it's going to be there or it's not; we're going to play with it or we're not."

While it's unknown when the new equipment will be implemented, it's clear the transition isn't going as smooth as initially hoped.