Episode 223 / November 23, 2024: The NHL’s Department of Player Safety finally did it… again. DOPS released a video explaining the rule around illegal checks to the head, including why a few players didn’t get suspended.

 

 

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Ryan Reaves picked up a five-game ban for an illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse, while Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud avoided a penalty – along with no fine and no suspenson – for a hard hit on Toronto’s Matthew Knies. Player Safety also hit Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk with a $5000 fine – the league maximum – for clipping.

We also had a hand pass that cost the New York Rangers a goal and TWO penalties against the Calgary Flames – one for the failed challenge and another for unsportsmanlike conduct after Vincent Trocheck offered some feedback to the officials on a called hand pass later in the game.

Rule changes are in the air, as the PWHL makes some tweaks to their rulebook for thre upcoming season including the No Escape Rule. The Athletic also asked National Hockey League players for their thoughts around possible rule changes; some were good, others…not so much. We’ll break it all down on this week’s Refs Podcast.

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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.