GM Meetings Flooded With Pressure to Reform Coach's Challenges and Refereeing

At this years' GM meetings, the main topic of conversation is refereeing and coach challenges. Tired of lengthy video reviews, GM's are motivated to find a new solution.

Reviews on the Mind

The NHL has been relying on video reviewing technology for several years to make critical calls such as determining goaltender interference or verifying whether the puck has crossed the goal line.

Additionally, the league has extended the use of this technology to review offside calls and other instances such as major penalties and high sticking plays.

However, the review process implemented by the NHL has been criticized by fans for being time-consuming and cumbersome. Despite the negative feedback from fans, the NHL is exploring options to expand the review process.

In the context of high sticking, officials have the authority to review only double minor penalties to verify if the impact was caused by the stick of an opposing player. This rule does not apply to situations where there is bloodshed.

Had these regulations been in place last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs would have been able to review a play that ended up costing them Game 7 of the Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the third period of that game, David Kampf, a forward for the Maple Leafs, was penalized for high sticking even though his stick did not actually hit Cal Foote in the face.

By implementing these alterations to the rules, coaches would have more opportunities to challenge plays, albeit with the increased possibility of receiving a delay of game penalty if the call doesn't go their way. This has led some fans to wonder where the NHL will draw the line with regards to the number of reviews and challenges allowed, and whether the league has gone too far in permitting them.

In summary, these changes would enhance the role of coaches in challenging calls, but at the same time, raise questions about the potential overuse of reviews and the impact it may have on the flow of the game.

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