Scouting The Refs Podcast

On this week's Scouting the Refs podcast, we've got an Emergency Back-Up Ref getting into the action as Michael Markovic steps in for Trevor Hanson at Nashville Predators vs. Vancouver Canucks, 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low hit on the Edmonton Oilers' Vincent Desharnais, and the New York Rangers' Artemi Panarin sees a major penalty call rescinded after his hit on Washington Capitals' forward T.J. Oshie.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' red-line goal against the Colorado Avalanche that required a second look, a penalized slash by Tyler Bertuzzi on Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand that should get a second look for embellishment, and the rules around stopping play when a goaltender has lost his mask, as New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin did against the Carolina Hurricanes. 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 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 New Jersey Devils get a penalty shot after Anaheim Ducks' Frank Vatrano intentionally dislodges the net, while the Toronto media thought the Maple Leafs should've been awarded one against the New York Rangers. (They shouldn't have.) #RefsPodcast 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 at Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens. Todd and Josh check out the ruling after New York's Artemi Panarin won it for the Rangers in overtime on a dislodged net vs. the Islanders in Sunday's Stadium Series game. Plus, NHL ref Dan O'Rourke dons a neck protector, Peter Laviolette's son openly mocks the officials after an ejection, and NHL referee Garrett Rank steps up to the mic for what just might be the review call of the year! 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 forward Lucas Raymond that Zadorov admitted was "a bad hit." We'll also dive into Rielly vs. Grieg, the five game suspension, and all the strong opinions on both sides of the incident as we await the results of Rielly's appeal to Commissioner Gary Bettman. We review a continuous play goal where the Tampa Bay Lightning scored a goal even after referee Kelly Sutherland blew the whistle. Plus, Todd and Josh check out the latest Down Goes Brown post over at The Athletic on the NHL's unwritten rules. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 mandatory minimum suspensions? Plus, Todd and Josh run through an NHL All-Star video review that wiped out a Pastrnak goal, officials' ASG paychecks, ref milestones for Frederick L'Ecuyer and Francois St. Laurent, and STR makes it on to TNT! 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 to New York Rangers' Jacob Trouba, along with fines to Vancouver Canucks' Tyler Myers and Arizona Coyotes' Michael Kesselring. The PWHL also hands out the first suspension in league history; NHL players name the league's best and work refs; Todd an Josh throw out some proposals to get better explanations for the Situation Room's decisions; and congrats to this year's NHL All-Star officials: Frederick L'Ecuyer, Francis Charron, Brandon Gawryletz, and Trent Knorr. 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! 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 penalized for an illegal stick flip to Brady Tkachuk, the Flyers score after the whistle against the Sens -- only to have the Sens score after the whistle later in the game, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin plays the puck from the penalty box, a whole buch of overtime picks by the Sharks, and the NCAA gives a shout out to their 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! 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 week's #RefsPodcast, we look at some high hits from Tampa Bay Lightning's Emil Martinsen Lilleberg on Anaheim Ducks' Brett Leason, Toronto's Morgan Rielly on Detroit Red Wings' Joe Veleno, and an obviously illegal one from Seattle Kraken's Yanni Gourde on Edmonton's Mattias Ekholm, along with asking: is the NHL's Department of Player Safety working? (Immediately after recording this podcast, DOPS handed out two disciplinary rulings, proving that talking about DOPS is like mentioning that your team's goalie has a shutout going...) 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! 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Draisaitl that wiped out a Zach Hyman goal, and former NHL All-Star MVP John Scott's suggestion of minimum suspensions from Player Safety. 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! 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 puck in the crease, a Ghost dive gets two, a penalty swap at Sens/Pens, and more on ref accountability and post-game comments. 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! 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 @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! 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 care about its suspended players, rather than the victims of their crimes? Todd and Josh break down a pair of penalty shots, including Panthers' Tkachuk vs. Canes' Kochetkov and a Zuccarello shootout goal after a pokecheck. We've also got a Devils' Smith slewfoot, an unsportsmanlike for Preds' Watson, and more. 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! 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flyers coach John Tortorella calls the NHL the “No Hit League” after Garnet Hathaway gets ejected for boarding on a late icing call. Player Safety goes after both combatants in a stick-battle, handing a two-game suspension for New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith and a $5000 fine to Philadelphia Flyers’ Travis Konecny. Detroit Red Wings blueliner Jake Walman also picks up a high-sticking fine - for lower than the league maximum.A trio of suspensions in the FPHL for middle fingers, crotch gestures, cross-checks to the face, and late hits - with one player banned for 18 games. ‘Intent to Blow’ costs the New Jersey Devils a goal against the San Jose Sharks, Arizona’s Sean Durzi puts the “bench” in bench minor, and an ECHL player gets a misconduct penalty for shooting a chicken nugget into the stands. Yep. You read that right. Plus, congrats to two retired NHL linesmen: Brian Murphy, on his induction into the USA Hockey Hall of Fame; and John Grandt on his final college hockey game before coming off-ice as the USHL’s Director of Officiating. 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! 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.