Traik-eotomy
Offside challenges have dropped this season thanks to penalty for frivolous claims ... League turn to officials on goalie interference ... Jets hit jackpot with Stastny
BOCA RATON, Fla. — Blame quantity — not quality — for the inconsistent standards regarding goalie interference.
The 170 challenges through 1,100 games this season surpassed the 166 from last season. That’s a lot of chances to get a call wrong. Meanwhile, offside challenges have dropped from 118 to 68 during that same span.
The reason? Since the start of this season, a wrong offside challenge results in a penalty, which has acted as a deterrent against frivolous claims.
While there was some discussion during Monday’s GM meetings of applying a similar punishment to wrongful goalie interference challenges, the subjectivity of the calls makes it a bit trickier. Still, it would cut down on coaches challenging goals simply because they have nothing to lose.
“We talked about that, but black-and-white and subjective are the two areas that you’re concerned with,” said Colin Campbell, executive vice-president and director of hockey operations. “But still, it’s not out of the picture. It’s something to consider, because if it’s not a guaranteed goal in the third period, why not throw up a flag and see what happens.
“And the goalie’s like, ‘C’mon, stick up for me.’ They look to the bench and wonder why it’s not being challenged.”
REFS GET THE CALL
The league invited three referees — two retired and one current — to Monday’s GM meetings to get a better perspective on what the on-ice official is looking for when it comes to goalie interference. There is also talk of having one in the situation room to help communicate with the on-ice official during a video review.
OUT OF THE BLUE
One suggestion that didn’t get much traction was either shrinking the goal crease or adopting the IIHF rule by making the blue paint completely off limits for anyone but goalies. The reason is there would be far too many whistles — and potential headaches.
“You really want to complicate things today, don’t you?” said Toronto Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello. “There hasn’t been any discussion on that as yet, but there’s always discussion as to what you can and can’t do to make the game better. But I think right now the focus is on the challenges.
“I know in my past, in college, you couldn’t go in the blue paint. It was a whistle and a power play. That’s the way it was.”
GET OUT THE VOTE
A week ago, the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association voted to make public their ballots for end-of-season awards. Now, the league’s GMs are expected to discuss whether they should also have transparency.
The GMs vote on the Vezina Trophy, as well as the NHL General Manager of the Year Award.
LOU TAKES A PASS
With Edmonton’s Connor McDavid tied for second in league scoring with 89 points — just four back of Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov — there is some debate as to whether last year’s Hart Trophy winner can be an MVP candidate if he is playing on a non-playoff team.
Just don’t ask Lamoriello for his opinion on the matter.
“You are asking the wrong guy, because I think the most valuable player is the team so I don’t even think about anything other than that,” said the Leafs GM. “I wouldn’t even have a thought process.”
Unlike the Ted Lindsay Award, which the players vote on and goes to the “most outstanding player,” the Hart Trophy is awarded to the player judged “most valuable to his team.” In each of the last four years, the winner of one has also won the other.
BIG PAYOFF
When Kevin Cheveldayoff acquired Paul Stastny from the St. Louis Blues at the deadline, he hoped the 31-year-old veteran would come in and provide a calming influence for 19-year-old Patrik Laine. But he never thought it would be like this.
Since the trade, which cost the Winnipeg Jets a first-round pick in this year’s draft, Laine has exploded with 12 goals and 17 points in 10 games. Stastny, who has missed three of those games, has 10 points and linemate Nikolaj Ehlers has nine.
“Certainly there has been great chemistry right off the bat,” said Cheveldayoff. “But he’s come in as billed. He’s a real student of the game and a real competitor. As a young player, you see if you’re going to get from this level to this level, this is the type of seriousness or dedication that you need to have happen.”
TURNAROUND STORY
I think the most valuable player is the team so I don’t even think about anything other than that. Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello
As of Monday night, Colorado was holding down the first wild card spot in the Western Conference. It’s a far cry from where the team was a year ago, when the Avalanche had a league-worst 48 points — 21 fewer than the next-worst team.