Getting ready for the upcoming 2024-25 National Hockey League season with a review of the rule changes, including a big one that will allow Coach's Challenges for puck-over-glass delay of game penalties, along with Ryan Getzlaf joining former teammate George Parros in the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Todd and Josh look back at the retiring officials, the promotions, and the two new hires joining the NHL officiating ranks: Alex Lepkowski and Liam Maaskant. The latest stripes both spent time...
Sep 14, 2024•27 min
Recently retired NHL referee Kevin Pollock picks up a new gig as the Ontario Hockey Association’s Director of Officiating, summer camps are underway including the NHL’s second trip to Europe for a Summer Officiating Combine and the upcoming NHL Officiating Exposure Combine in Buffalo. NHL stripes are keeping busy with their own camps and charitable ventures, like linesman Steve Barton’s charity golf tournament. The AHL hands out some more hardware with Shaun Davis picking up the Michael Condon A...
Jul 19, 2024•24 min
After 259 days and 1,400 games, the 2023-24 NHL season is finally over! We look back at Games 6 and 7 of the Stanley Cup Final: Game 6: The Edmonton Oilers win a critical offside challenge against the Florida Panthers. That one took guts... but should we even be reviewing plays that close? What about 'the spirit of the rule'? Where's the line? Also, Florida's Sam Bennett gets dumped right before an Oilers goal, with no call on the play. Should there have been one? Game 7: With only three penalti...
Jun 28, 2024•25 min
On this week's #RefsPodcast, we roll through Games 4 and 5 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers! Game 4: Edmonton's Darnell Nurse has a kneeing major penalty downgraded to a two-minute minor... but was there embellishment on the play? And can we make a rule change that'll help the refs when there is? No penalty on a hit by the Panthers' Kyle Okposo on Leon Draisaitl - nor should there be. No penalty on an Anton Lundell hit on Edmonton's Cody Ceci - nor sh...
Jun 21, 2024•22 min
Is this the final day for the Stanley Cup Final? Can the Edmonton Oilers stay alive? With the Florida Panthers holding a commanding 3-0 lead in the series, we look back at what's happened thus far in the Cup Final. Game 1: Oilers' Henrique boards Panthers' Ekman-Larsson, Sam Bennett runs over Connor McDavid, and Sergei Bobrovsky gets a whistle with the puck under his pad. Game 2: Edmonton's Warren Foegele picks up a major and a game for kneeing Florida's Eetu Luostarinen, Leon Draisaitl takes ou...
Jun 15, 2024•25 min
Heading into the Stanley Cup Final this week on the #RefsPodcast, with a look at the officials selected to work the championship series between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. Expect things to tighten up as penalty minutes are down and power plays are at a premium late in the playoffs. Did the officials miss a penalty on Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid for closing his hand on the puck in Game 6 against the Dallas Stars? A slew of rule changes are coming to college hockey, with t...
Jun 08, 2024•23 min
This week on the #RefsPodcast, we discuss a pair of major penalties that were downgraded after officials' review. The Panthers’ Dmitry Kulikov had a major penalty reduced to a minor for hit on Rangers’ Alex Wennberg and the Rangers’ Jacob Trouba saw his elbowing major on Florida’s Evan Rodrigues dropped to a minor… neither with any explanation as to why the refs felt neither play deserved a major penalty. Remember, those penalty reviews are handled by the refs – not the Situation Room. Player Sa...
Jun 01, 2024•23 min
This week on the #RefsPodcast, we ask: Where's Wes McCauley? Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid takes an overtime high-sticking penalty that was confirmed via review... but was another penalty missed? Boston Bruins forward Charlie Coyle gives a little 'How do you do' to Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad's undercarriage, with no penalty or fine. Goaltender interference (surprise!) at Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers... and again at Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche... and once more at ...
May 25, 2024•21 min
No goal! We’ve got no goal after Vancouver Canucks goaltender Arturs Silovs saves a puck with his glove that might have been over the line… but a good goal for the Florida Panthers’ Sam Bennett after he cross-checked Charlie Coyle into Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman. We also have some goaltender interference on the Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky. No call! Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid gets away with one after he bloodied Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes with an uncalled high stic...
May 18, 2024•29 min
On this week’s #RefsPodcast, we’ve got big hits, mega misconducts, and… who’s that ref? Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn goes unpenalized for a hit on Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews - even after a ref review, Carolina Hurricanes’ Tony DeAngelo gets two for a hit on Will Cuylle of the New York Rangers, more goaltender collisions at Canes/Rangers, and some poor goaltender geometry for the Edmonton Oilers’ Stuart Skinner against the Vancouver Canucks. We’ve got a no-call for low-sticking,...
May 11, 2024•22 min
It's all about the blue paint as Nashville Predators’ Michael McCarron gets fined for goaltender interference after running over Casey DeSmith of the Vancouver Canucks, and two Tampa Bay Lightning goals get wiped out due to goaltender interference. Los Angeles Kings goaltender David Rittich is in the blue when he catches the puck… but his glove goes over the line. Boston Bruins’ Brad Marchand gets taken out by linesman Andrew Smith… then shoves linesman Ryan Daisy while heading off on a line cha...
May 04, 2024•31 min
Trevor Moore of the Los Angeles Kings gets only two minutes for a low hit on the Edmonton Oilers' Vincent Desharnais, and the New York Rangers' Artemi Panarin sees a major penalty call rescinded after his hit on Washington Capitals' forward T.J. Oshie. Also on the latest #RefsPodcast , we've got two too-many-men penalties -- one at Rangers vs. Caps for six men, and one at Panthers vs. Lightning where Tampa was caught with seven skaters on the ice. We also review the review of the Winnipeg Jets' ...
Apr 27, 2024•24 min
We hereby conduct this week's Scouting the Refs Podcast... The playoff officials working the next fortnight's games are out! Referee Mike Sullivan is... ready for it as he makes his NHL debut; Kevin Shattenkirk is guilty as sin for stickwork from the bench; refs would've, should've, could've called a penalty for Habs' Slafkovsky's stick flip, Flyers fans need to calm down when referee Kelly Sutherland thought 'don't blame me' after he waved off a goal when he lost sight of the puck, the Islander...
Apr 19, 2024•28 min
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby calls out a linesman, referee Steve Kozari is injured in a collision with Tampa Bay Lightning’s Haydn Fleury, two new NHL referees make their league debuts as Graedy Hamilton and Stephen Hiff take the ice, with two more waiting for their starts. We’ve got a goal line stand at Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes, where a shot from the Canes’ Martin Necas just baaaaaarely crossed the goal line… or did it? And why can’t we be sure?! The rulebook fails the...
Apr 12, 2024•23 min
We've got a communication breakdown in Montreal as a Canadiens goal against the Florida Panthers is confirmed - then overturned due to a miscommunication between the Situation Room and the on-ice officials. (At least they got the call right!) Player Safety had a busy week, with Minnesota Wild's Hartman suspended for throwing a stick at a referee, Montreal Canadiens' Guhle suspended for slashing from the bench, Anaheim Ducks' Strome fined for cross-checking, and Philadelphia Flyers' Hathaway fine...
Apr 05, 2024•25 min
Detroit Red Wings broadcaster Ken Daniels joins Todd and Josh to discuss a revolutionary change to the offside rule that would increase scoring, reduce Coach's Challenges, and expand the size of the offensive zone. The NHL's Department of Player Safety issues a six-game suspension to Washington Capitals' Tom Wilson for an egregious high stick - which he reportedly won't appeal - and a $5000 fine to Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram for some egregious interference on Ottawa Senators winger (a...
Mar 29, 2024•27 min
Move, ref! Get out the way! Get out the way! Unintentional zebra hunting this week, as linesmen Tommy Hughes, Steve Barton, and Dan Kelly all find themselves on the receiving end of some unintentional contact; referee Chris Schlenker gets a primary assist; Mark Shewchyk steps up as the EBUL (Emergency Backup Linesman); and an unfortunate collision may be career-ending for referee Kevin Pollock. The NHL's Department of Player Safety hand out a two-game suspension to Florida Panthers' Dmitry Kulik...
Mar 22, 2024•24 min
Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella gets ejected by referee Wes McCauley, then refuses to leave, resulting in a two-game suspension along with a $50,000 fine. New York Rangers' Matt Rempe gets a major, a game, and a four-game suspension for elbowing New Jersey Devils' Jonas Siegenthaler, while Ottawa Senators' Parker Kelly sits for two. Referee Gord Dwyer derails a potential goalie fight between the the Anaheim Ducks' John Gibson and Petr Mrazek of the Chicago Blackhawks. Player Safet...
Mar 16, 2024•25 min
On this week's Scouting the Refs Podcast: Longtime NHL referee Tom Kowal heads to the BC Hockey Hall of Fame, the NHL's Department of Player Safety issues fines to Minnesota Wild's Mats Zuccarello and Nashville Predators' Michael McCarron, and a suspension to Calgary Flames defenseman Martin Pospisil. No call, no fine after Colorado Avalanche's Josh Manson slashes Chicago Blackhawks' Connor Bedard -- or to New York Rangers' Matt Rempe for charging Toronto Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin. Plus, the ...
Mar 09, 2024•21 min
We’ve got coach conflicts as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Sheldon Keefe gets kicked out and Buffalo Sabres bench boss Don Granato puts his team down two men. A power outage at Lightning/Flyers, Hill keeps one skate blade in the crease, review rules a legal check for Trocheck, the PWHL brings back the ref cam – and hands out a major penalty and ejection. Plus, we’ve got a hot @#$%ing mic in Philly! Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and...
Mar 02, 2024•20 min
New York Rangers' Matt Rempe gets ejected for an illegal check to the head of New Jersey Devils' Nathan Bastian, but don't expect a suspension. From the same game, defenseman Jacob Trouba delivers a legal hit, and Bastian gets away with instigating a fight in return. Islanders head coach Patrick Roy fails in his first Coach's Challenge in New York on a possible missed hand pass, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson hits Zach Benson of the Buffalo Sabres, and - whoops - a shorthanded icing...
Feb 24, 2024•22 min
So, Ridly Grieg did a thing. Then Morgan Rielly did a thing. And then Player Safety did a thing. Now Rielly has appealed that thing. DOPS hands out $10k in fines to the Boston Bruins, with Matt Grzelcyk getting a major penalty and a fine for spearing the Caps' Max Pacioretty and goaltender Linus Ullmark picking up a fine for high-sticking Tampa Bay Lightning forward Mikey Eyssimont. Vancouver Canucks defenseman Nikita Zadorov gets a two-game suspension for a hit to the head of Detroit Red Wings ...
Feb 17, 2024•22 min
Breaking down the three-game suspension to Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brendan Dillon for his it on Pittsburgh Penguins' Noel Acciari. Dallas Stars forward Mason Marchment picks up a fine for an unpenalized hit on the Toronto Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe, while Calgary Flames defenseman Martin Pospisil gets ejected for a crosscheck to the face of Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand that drew no further supplemental discipline. Should the NHL's Department of Player Safety build in some 'automatic' or man...
Feb 10, 2024•23 min
This week on the #RefsPodcast : A crazy situation from Canucks vs. Blue Jackets, where it looked like the officials changed the call - and the penalized player - via video review... which they're not exactly allowed to do. Todd and Josh also break down the No Goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs after goaltender interference from William Nylander cancelled out a Tyler Bertuzzi goal. NHL Player Safety has a busy week with a 5-game suspension to Montreal Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher and a 2-game ban t...
Feb 03, 2024•26 min
This week on the #RefsPodcast, a Pittsburgh player is wrongly incarcerated after the Penguins score an own goal while shorthanded -- Todd and Josh break down what exactly happened on this play. Also coming up this week: Player Safety springs into action with suspensions to Seattle Kraken's Yanni Gourde and Florida Panthers forward William Lockwood, along with a fine for Arizona Coyotes' Liam O'Brien on a play that failed to meet the automatic 10-game suspension. Plus, Sens' Vladimir Tarasenko pe...
Jan 27, 2024•25 min
This week on the Scouting the Refs Podcast: Two goals at Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Calgary Flames that required a second look -- one for a missed hand pass and another for a kick to a stick and in. Todd and Josh break down both plays, along with a goal from Edmonton Oilers' Zach Hyman called back for an offside, some mid-air stickwork by Montreal Canadiens' Cole Caufield, officials' All-Star Game jerseys, and the impressive success of the Maple Leafs' video crew on Coach's Challenges. Also on this...
Jan 20, 2024•21 min
On this week's #RefsPodcast: Two too many men on the ice penalties at the same time - something the NHL hasn't seen in over a decade. How does that happen? Plus, the PWHL's first all-female officiating crew, linesman Steve Barton gets bloodied but stays in the game, no goal for the Flyers... but that's okay, it wouldn't have counted anyway. Also, Todd and Josh discuss the NHL's increase in match penalties this season, Connor McDavid's thoughts on offside reviews - including the one on Leon Drais...
Jan 13, 2024•21 min
On this week's #RefsPodcast: Arizona Coyotes' Jason Zucker suspended for boarding Florida Panthers' Nick Cousins, but nothing for the Cousins hit on Valimaki; Minnesota Wild's Ryan Hartman fined for avenging an injury to Kirill Kaprizov with a high stick to Winnipeg Jets' Cole Perfetti, New York Rangers' kickin' old school on a Chris Krieder skate goal, Seattle Kraken's Tomas Tatar plays the puck from the bench, the PWHL's inaugural season gets underway with new rules, closing your hand on the p...
Jan 05, 2024•27 min
It’s a pre-holiday extravaganza on the Scouting the Refs Podcast. Linesmen Chad and Cody Huseby join us to talk about their unexpected NHL debuts one year ago this week. Plus, New Jersey Devils’ Akira Schmid crosses the line, Boston Bruins’ David Pastrnak picks up five, refs get run over, the Detroit Red Wings watch the penalty clock, the Montreal Canadiens avoid losing a goal to a hand pass, and what the Frk was he doing with his skates in the air? Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scouting...
Dec 21, 2023•32 min
Now boarding... a whole bunch of NHL players. Breaking down the past week's boarding calls - and non-calls: Oilers' Kane on Wild's Brodin, Sabres' Robinson on Canadiens' Barron, Panthers' Cousins on Jackets' Gudbranson -- who decided to avenge the hit by taking the law into his own hands. The Wings' Perron took the same approach, picking up a six-game suspension for a crosscheck to the face after an injury to Larkin. Should players answer the bell for legal hits? Why does the NHLPA only seem to ...
Dec 15, 2023•23 min
