Scouting The Refs Podcast

On this week's #RefsPodcast:

• Stripes getting set for the Stadium Series... will we get a Michigan or Ohio official in the house?
• Referee Justin Kea stays in the game after getting his 'bells rung' after a clearing attempt catches him in the undercarriage.
• Minnesota Wild winger Ryan Hartman has his suspension reduced by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, serving two fewer games and retaining nearly $100k in salary as a result of his appeal.
• Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras gets three games for headhunting despite no penalty call in the game. 
• It’s a tale of two goal sticks on dueling goaltender interference calls. We get a Seattle Kraken goal restored after a challenge that Blues defenseman Colton Parayko bumped Jordan Binnington’s stick, along with another lost stick after Florida Panthers’ Jonah Gadjovich swats away the stick of Nashville Predators goaltender Jusse Saros for no goal. 
• We also take a look at a high stick from Los Angeles Kings forward Warren Foegele. Fans were up in arms asking why the Vancouver Canucks challenged for goaltender interference instead of challenging the high stick.

There’s a very simple reason… on this week’s #RefsPodcast.

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On this episode of the Scouting the Refs podcast, Todd and Josh discuss various topics related to hockey officiating, including the ever-increasing effectiveness of Coach's Challenges, some penalty calls from the recent Beanpot tournament, and the differences between NCAA and NHL rules. They also delve into the dynamics of fighting in the Four Nations tournament - which is not exactly an international event as it's played under NHL rules - and provide an update on Ryan Hartman's suspension and appeal. The conversation highlights the evolving nature of officiating in hockey and the importance of understanding the rules across different leagues.

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Breaking down the ten-game suspension for Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman, and what comes next with his appeal to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and potentially an independent arbitrator. Hartman’s ban is the longest since Washington Capitals’ Tom Wilson was suspended for 20 games - reduced to 14 upon appeal - back in 2018-19. We dig into the appeal process – how Wilson’s was reduced and what might happen for Hartman.

Double-review at Sens vs. Preds as an Ottawa Senators goal is first reviewed by the Situation Room for a continuous play and then challenged for goaltender interference by the Nashville Predators.

A rare ‘offensive’ coach’s challenge from the Winnipeg Jets overturns a goal disallowed due to goaltender interference, actually putting the goal back up on the board. 

More reviews at Leafs vs. Flames, as the Toronto Maple Leafs lose their first goal of the game on a high stick from John Tavares, and the Calgary Flames lose theirs to goaltender interference from the stick of Jonathan Huberdeau on goaltender Joseph Woll. 

Colorado Avalanche’s Miles Wood had a rough night with a pair of penalties, including a minor for slashing that should have been a speaking major. No major penalty called on the play, and nothing from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety on that one, despite Rule 62.

Boston Bruins’ Morgan Geekie sends an opposing player’s stick into orbit, picking up an interference minor on the play under Rule 56.2. It's a call every time, even when opposing players pull a .38 Special and 'Hold On Loosely'...

Plus, the NHL’s upcoming Four Nations tournament only has two nations represented in stripes… Missed opportunity?

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Minnesota Wild’s Ryan Hartman gets a match penalty for intent to injure after he slams the head of Ottawa Senators’ Tim Stutzle into the ice on a faceoff; Hartman will have an in-person hearing - allowing the league to suspend him for five games or more - with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. .  More head contact at Devils vs. Sabres, as New Jersey’s Stefan Noesen catches Buffalo’s Tage Thompson up high, earning a match penalty but no supplemental discipline.

Should the NHL institute a multiplier for suspensions and fines to really up the stakes for repeat offenders?

New Jersey Devils’ Brendan Dillon got away with interference against Philadelphia Flyers’ Owen Tippett, Vegas Golden Knights’ Mark Stone picks up two for tripping after he crashed into Dallas Stars’ Miro Heiskanen - thanks to some stickwork from Roope Hintz.  Edmonton Oilers’ John Klingberg is juuuuuuust a bit offside, but a bit is all it took to wipe out Leon Draisaitl’s goal and foil the Oilers’ comeback against the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

St. Louis Blues’ Oskar Sundqvist dives, Tampa Bay Lightning’s Emil Lilleberg gest suspended, and Chicago Blackhawks’ Ryan Donato gets a little help from a ref… 

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Episode 231 / January 25, 2025:

It's a jam-packed week with tons of National Hockey League action.

We're also joined by the North American Hockey League (NAHL)'s Keith Kaval and Kendall Hanley to discuss their upcoming NAHL Officiating Exposure Camps to help develop referees and linespersons. You've still got timt to sign up and join them - more info at NAHL.com or check out our post at scoutingtherefs.com.

A pair of cross-checks to the head result in a pair of three-game suspensions at Oilers vs. Canucks, with Connor McDavid and Tyler Myers both sitting out. We break down the penalties and revisit McDavid’s comments on consistency in officiating. The Predators’ Cole Smith ejected for a hit to the head of the Stars’ Ty Dellandrea that was upheld after ref review. 

Stick shenanigans as the Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews gets whistled for playing with a goal stick, while Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins picks up a minor for playing with Matthews’ stick. A few days prior, Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick got away with one when he attempted to play with Canadiens’ Juraj Slafkovsky’s stick upside down.

Rule 63 is in play as nachos cleared the glass and entered the attacking zone without a whistle, leading to an Oilers goal against the Capitals.

We’ve also got some choking in Boston thanks to Brad Marchand, that somehow avoided a penalty and even a fine. 

In National Hockey League zebra action, we’ve got linesman Jonny Murray injured at Jets vs. Avalanche and referee Kyle Rehman with the fighting penalty call of the year from Preds vs. Sharks. Let's chuck some knucks!

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