Scouting The Refs Podcast Scouting the Refs

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 Islanders' Kyle Palmieri is like 'look what you made me do' after a Rangers player pushes him offside, the Pittsburgh Penguins are wondering how did it end after two disallowed goals for interference, the Red Wings' Joe Veleno is fresh out the slammer after only two minutes for a dangerous boarding, Washington's Nick Jensen goes down bad after a hit from Tampa's Mikey Eyssimont, and Ottawa's Shane Pinto hits different - with no call - on the Rangers' Matt Rempe -- who, at 6'7", is definitely not the smallest man who ever lived. Tampa Nikita Kucherov is like 'who's afraid of little old me' after he did something bad with an elbow to the Caps' Tom Wilson, and I think he knows it.

(Sorry, nothing this week about Taylor Hall, the Swift Current Broncos, or Florida!!!)

Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcast
Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcast

The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out.
Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs.
Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 refs as they review a high stick on Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Erik Johnson leaves the penalty box – with the officials’ headset, and Edmonton Oilers’ winger Evander Kane is fined $5000 for slashing Calgary’s Dryden Hunt after a goal. 
Also, do any NHL officials live in Utah? Asking for a friend.

Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcast
Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcast

The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out.
Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs.
Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 fined for diving/embellishment. While both players were ejected from their respective games, no supplemental discipline for a spear from Vegas Golden Knights' Eichel or boarding by Canucks' Zadorov.
You get a misconduct! You get a misconduct! Misconduct penalties to every skater on the ice at Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres. We also saw eight players ejected just two seconds into New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers, thanks to Rule 46.7.
Linesman Ryan Galloway works his final NHL game, while referee Chris Lee lays out Anaheim's Trevor Zegras with a solid check along the boards. Also, over in the OHL, they're giving referees the final call on video reviews for the playoffs.

Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcast
Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcast

The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 (and 17th-century pirate) Angus Crookshank. We've got captain-on-captain violence as New York Islanders' Anders Lee gets ejected for a knee-on-knee hit that injured the New Jersey Devils' Nico Hischier. Vegas Golden Knights' Nic Hague sees a match penalty reduced to a minor after review, but Winnipeg Jets' Mark Schiefele still gets the instigator for avenging the hit.
The Situation Room rules no goaltender interference between Casey Cizikas and Anthony Stolarz at Islanders vs. Panthers, and no hand pass from Vincent Trocheck at Rangers vs. Avalanche. We break down the rules and the calls.
Over in the ECHL, we've got an egregious temper tantrum that ended up in an ejection, but somehow didn't result in a suspension for abuse of officials.


Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcast
Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcast

The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Kulikov, and calls for an in-person hearing with Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson, who's made it three years without a suspension. That streak will end.
National Hockey League General Managers' meetings have resulted in a handful of rule changes, including some significant tweaks to Coach's Challenges which would allow teams to challenge certain minor penalties.

Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcast
Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcast

The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Safety issues fines to the Boston Bruins' Charlie Coyle and Toronto Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe for separate cross-checking incidents.  
Overtime shenanigans ensue after the Buffalo Sabres' game-winning goal is reviewed - and disallowed - for an offside, well after the Sabres and Edmonton Oilers have both left the ice. The Minnesota Wild pull the goalie in overtime against the Nashville Predators, nearly invoking a little-known rule that even the players on the ice weren't aware of.
Also, a pair of officials get mic'd up as linesman James Tobias confesses to some foot-speed challenges while referee Kyle Rehman chooses politeness. 


Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcast
Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcast

The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices