Increased Reviews and Coaches Challenges?

Decisions made by referees can have a substantial impact on the outcomes of games. Case in point, last Wednesday night during the opening game of the 2014-15 season Toronto scored on a play that should have been blown dead at the blue line. On the play, Leafs rookie Brandon Kozun was clearly ahead of the play before the puck entered the zone. This led directly to a goal by Nazim Kadri. Thankfully the Habs fought back and won the game. The following night, in the 3rd period two Habs goals were disallowed due to questionable calls on the ice.

I ask you Habs fans, should instant replay be expanded to include every questionable play? Also, should coaches challenges, like the CFL has, be introduced? And how far should reviews be taken? Should every call made by a referee be fair game for review? Or should it just be goals?

Currently, the league reviews questionable goals only. The MLB is the prime exmple of the extremes of video review. This past season, MLB expanded the use of instant replay and challenges to include most plays. Each team is allowed one challenge a game. Most plays are fair game to be challenged in baseball. For those Habs fans who don't follow baseball, already the games were lengthy averaging approximately three hours. After a full season of the expanded replay, the biggest finding was games were significantly delayed by the challenges. NHL games are 2.5 hours long generally, but push three hours when the games include OT and a shootout. The biggest difference between the NHL and MLB is that in the MLB there is no running clock. The length of each inning is solely dictated by the amount of time it takes the batting team to make three outs. Each period in hockey is twenty minutes and the clock stops when the play is blown dead

The CFL has a system where coaches can challenge most plays and can do so 2x/game. In the final three minutes of a game or half the CFL initiates all reviews. The NHL currently has no such means.

To me, it comes down to the integrity of the game. Definitely, every questionable goal should be fair game for video review. Scoring in the NHL can be a daunting task and to have a goal count that shouldn't is just wrong. It doesn't matter whether the issue occurs several seconds before a goal is scored and is indirectly related or if the issue occurs simultaneously and directly leads to the goal. As far as penalty calls go, it should stay as is where the refs makes a discretionary call on penalties. Coaches challenges are an interesting idea. There would have to be a lot of consultation with players and GM's and the guidelines dictating what's reviewable would have to be clear. I think it's worth trying in the AHL first as some rule changes have been experimented with in the past. Referees are human and hockey is a fast-paced game. Calls are bound to be missed by the officials and in the course of a lengthy season, generally calls should average out.

Habs fans weigh in with your responses. #GoHabsGo

Posted in: #CFL,#MLB,coaches challenges,controversy,expanded reviews