Draft to be held in Chicago

ByJayCohen CHICAGO » The 2017 NHL draft is coming to the United Center. And there is no coach’s challenge to take that one away from Chicago.

The Blackhawks had another goal tossed out during Tuesday night’s 2- 0 loss to San Josewhen Sharks coach Peter DeBoer made a successful video challenge for goalie interference, prompting Chicago coach Joel Quenneville to cut short his postgame press conference likely out of fear of drawing a big fine for criticizing the officiating.

But NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Thursday the league is “extraordinarily pleased” with the how the challenge system is working in its first year.

“We’ve really had virtually no problems with it,” Bettman said after announcing the draft is coming to Chicago for the first time. “Is it perfect? Pretty close, but we’re working on it and over the season we think it’s getting even better.

“So we like what we see, but after the season’s over we’ll evaluate it and see if it needs adjusting. But fundamentally, it’s sound.”

The Blackhawks also had a goal disallowed following a coach’s challenge for goalie interference during a 5-4 overtime win at Arizona last Thursday, leading to an unsportsmanlike penalty on Quenneville for practically going to the ice to screamat the officials.

The team contacted the NHL after the San Jose game, and Quenneville said the league also disagreed with the call during Chicago’s loss to the Sharks.

“I think there’s an education across the board and you’ve got a lot of people in the middle of the process of making the decisions,” Quenneville said. “So hopefully, you know, I just care as long we get it right is what we’re looking for.”

The NHL has a centralized review system in Toronto, but coach’s challenges are handled rink side by the officials taking a look at the replay on tablets.