About the Episode

Detroit Red Wings broadcaster Ken Daniels joins Todd and Josh to discuss a revolutionary change to the offside rule that would increase scoring, reduce Coach’s Challenges, and expand the size of the offensive zone.

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety issues a six-game suspension to Washington Capitals’ Tom Wilson for an egregious high stick – which he reportedly won’t appeal – and a $5000 fine to Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram for some egregious interference on Ottawa Senators winger (and 17th-century pirate) Angus Crookshank. We’ve got captain-on-captain violence as New York Islanders’ Anders Lee gets ejected for a knee-on-knee hit that injured the New Jersey Devils’ Nico Hischier. Vegas Golden Knights’ Nic Hague sees a match penalty reduced to a minor after review, but Winnipeg Jets’ Mark Schiefele still gets the instigator for avenging the hit.

The Situation Room rules no goaltender interference between Casey Cizikas and Anthony Stolarz at Islanders vs. Panthers, and no hand pass from Vincent Trocheck at Rangers vs. Avalanche. We break down the rules and the calls.

Over in the ECHL, we’ve got an egregious temper tantrum that ended up in an ejection, but somehow didn’t result in a suspension for abuse of officials.

Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions – [email protected] #RefsPodcast

Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcast

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. 

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