Monday Mailbag – Fixing goal reviews

Can you believe it’s been a week since the last mailbag? I guess time flies when you’re banging your head against the wall, trying to figure out what the hell is going on with this hockey team. As always, you’ve submitted your questions and I’ve sent them off to our panel of mental warlords for their thoughts and ideas. If you have a question for the Mailbag, you can always hit me up through email or on Twitter. Until then, enjoy the free learning opportunity.

Referees have memories. It’s human nature. The best ones do everything they can not to let that get in the way, but if every interaction with a given player involves him calling you a ^$&@@@ and  #@##^#%, there’s going to be a problem getting a square call. There are running beefs between coaches/players and referees that last years.

There are websites that scout officials with some basic information that is pretty interesting. If teams AREN’T putting effort into that kind of research then it’s a wasted opportunity. It would be good to know what’s going on with these refs — who you can push and see better calls from later, who you cannot.

I think there was something with the Flames after the Dennis Wideman incident, but otherwise I doubt there’s much going on.

I’m sure they have biases and favour certain players. A player like Patrick Maroon isn’t going to get the benefit of the doubt like Jonathan Toews or Ryan Getzlaf would.

I don’t think it’s as serious as deeply analyzing every official before every game, but I’ve read interviews from retired referees about them holding grudges against players. I think it’s pretty common. HOWEVER, that goes for mostly shit-disturbers around the league. I’m pretty sure McDavid’s comments won’t have any long term affects on him with any other future referees… I hope so anyways.

Refs will always remember if a guy cuts them down because they’re human beings, but the guys that did the Oilers/Flames game last Thursday were butter soft. Kassian got weak calls against him and they also had hurt little feelings about Connor, so we’ll see if that makes refs hate the Olers even more than they do now.

Fans protest the loudest when one of those calls goes against their team. They look the other way when their team gets a break. That said, in a perfect world I think the best way to approach something like goaltender interference is to leave it to the discretion of the referee. The problem is that too many referees aren’t showing they have the ability to make common sense calls and there’s a huge disparity in what is and isn’t a goal — the Kesler play last spring compared to the McDavid call against Calgary for example. I also have an issue with referees who tend to think that any contact with a goaltender constitutes interference. In the course of a play it can happen. Does the goaltender have a chance to re-set after being contacted or is he knocked right out of position etc etc? I think there should have to be profound and undeniable evidence that the referee has missed something to overturn the call of a good goal.

No review should ever be allowed to go in slow motion EXCEPT when determining if a goal crossed the line. Anything else, like offside or interference, should be real-time only. Offside should be a plane (like the goal line) and not require both feet on the ice. Goalie interference has to actually impede the goalie.

They need to make it clearer. Truthfully, I didn’t think the call against McDavid in overtime was that bad. He makes contacts with Rittich and that impacts the play. People just get upset when similar plays are called differently.

I don’t know man, no matter what you do, there’s always going to be a problem with the goaltender interference review process. I say you remove the challenge portion all together. If the referee doesn’t see it happen in real time, then the call on the ice stands. Pretty soon people will want coaches reviews for a slash that happened behind the play or something..

All I know is that if I’m a goalie I’m flopping anytime someone comes anywhere near me. I mean, why not? If plays are going to be reviewed and goals are going to get called back for even the tiniest touch, then why not yard sale whenever an opposing player is in the crease? It’s ridiculous. I don’t have an answer for how to fix it because the NHL will probably do the opposite and continue to shoot themselves in the foot.

Teams need the right mix of size and speed. For me, big players who aren’t at least average skaters are a liability unless they are smart of enough to make up for lack of foot speed by saving steps with their brain.

We could go back in time and convince Chiarelli that trading skill for size is a bad idea. The NHL is a fast league and only getting faster. McDavid alone is forcing Western teams to adopt better strategies. Edmonton is going to get beat by teams just trying to keep up with Edmonton.

I agree. Three of their top six aren’t good skaters (Lucic, Maroon, Strome). Those players still have value, but the Oilers have too many of them and it’s made them slower. I’d move on from Maroon and Strome and try to find players who skate well, with one of them being a penalty killer. Lucic’s contract is tough so he’s here for the long haul.

Their defence skates well enough but lacks puck-movers.

Focus on adding speed and skill and worrying about size and grit less. Your best player might be one of the fastest plays ever. Utilize that.

I do agree, and the Penguins’ dynasty the last few years is proof of this. However, it’s not to say that the speed factor in the NHL will remain the same forever. I’m looking forward to seeing what other type of team becomes successful in the NHL. I doubt this speed thing will last forever.

I don’t think big and heavy is the problem. I think the continuous downgrade in skill is the problem. If you keep trading Lambos for little red wagons then things are going to fall apart. The problem isn’t the size, it’s that the players coming in aren’t nearly as good as the ones going out.

Why change it? Who wants to see an expansion team come in and suck for three or four years because they get nothing upon entering the league? Success right out of the gate look like a good marketing tool to me. Vegas is one of the best stories, maybe the best story, in the NHL this season.

Yeah. There might be some tweaking of rules. That said, maybe they just need to have a rule in place that prevents Dale Tallon from dealing with Seattle.

Leave it how it is. Vegas being competitive out the gate must be huge for the market and the fans. How many fans would be there if they were like most expansion teams?

Teams might be more willing to just let one good player go next time instead of making side deals involving draft picks.

I’d say no. Doesn’t make sense for the NHL to make the expansion teams less successful. This Vegas team is entertainment for the whole league, and I say good on em!

Can’t see why the NHL would change the rules of expansion given how good Vegas has been. My bigger concern is how the hell the Oilers are going to build a protected list.

I would rather see one longer break, but some players will tell you they don’t want to be off the ice too long mid-season.

I hate the Oilers schedule — way too many afternoon games. That alone is enough to make me dislike this thing. Also, not nearly enough Saturday games. Oh, and the Oilers didn’t play Anaheim (after a heated playoff series) for months? Who made this thing?

As far as the time off goes, I don’t really care though.

It’s weird. I’m not sure they need so many breaks in the schedule.

If we were in a tough playoff race right now I’d probably be upset about it. But if anything the time off is probably best for players to rest up. This is the time of year where if you’re not in tip top shape, injuries could occur more frequently when guys get tired out. The breaks might be good to keep everyone healthy.

Yeah, I thought it was weird to have this many breaks too. I would be more annoyed if the Oilers were rolling, but since they’re not I’m enjoying the time off.

Lexus South Pointe is the official automotive partner of Oilersnation. As citizens of the Nation, you receive exclusive discounts & perks no matter what you drive!

Our state-of-the-art facility also includes a virtual golf simulator, spa, and rooftop patio. Find us on the corner of Ellerslie and Gateway for all your vehicle needs. Check us out on our website here.