Archive for October, 2010
Will The NHL Allow A Coaches Challenge
Will the NHL get a “Coaches Challenge”
We have seen it in the NFL … looks like a touchdown, players jump around like its a touchdown, however after reviewing the play we find out by slow motion instant replay the players knee touched the grass 2 inches before the ball crossed the line. Result – No Touchdown!
The only type of review process we have in the NHL is the War Room in Toronto. A small room, only 12 x 36 feet, with TV’s, DVRs, Rosters, and every game being played in the NHL that night. I KNOW – sounds like heaven to me too!!! The job of the War Room is to be on hand for every game should there be a reviewable situation, usually a goal will be reviewed to verify the puck fully crossed the line. Other duties are reviewing illegal hits (hits to the head and such) along with a review of how the on ice officials call the game, Yes – on ice officials are reviewed each game them officiate. I found this video of the Toronto War Room to give you an idea of the layout and equipment …
On Tuesday Oct 26th … there was an instance in Toronto that has some GM’s thinking about adding a “coaches challenge” to the agenda for the November GM’s meeting. Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon appears to have the support of 14 other GM’s in the NHL that want to discuss adding this ability to the bench.
As in any fast paced sport, calls will be missed and with the magic of instant replay we as viewers have the advantage of seeing what was missed or not called. Keep in mind, hockey is a sport that is non stop and always fast. So, to have the War Room as a back up is a good thing … and most of the time, will slow things down to make sure the call on the ice was correct. You see this when the referee skates to the side and puts on the headphones.
Dale Tallon and 14 other GM’s in the NHL would like to give the coaches the ability to call on Toronto to make a call. Tallon is upset, and rightly so, because of the horrible interference from Colton Orr that resulted in a Toronto goal … you can see that play here! Wait for it … you’ll see it.
So – what do you think. The Referee missed that blatant call … and according to the rules, Toronto could not review it because it was clearly a goal, however, it was a goal that was the result of a penalty. Tallon says because of mistakes like that – Coaches should have the ability to bring Toronto into the mix.
This will be an interesting discussion and an even interesting decision. If it is allowed for Toronto to expand their reviewable guidelines, then where would they stop? So many ways video review could be used … and one concern of mine is … how will this affect the play and flow of the game? Would the challenging coach have repercussions if the challenge is lost. A couple ideas were the forfeiture of a time out … or maybe even a bench minor 2 minute penalty assessed to the challenging coach.
Will coaches be able to challenge penalties or missed calls? How far back would a challenge be allowed – If a hooking call which ended up as a turnover and on the odd man rush the team scored … would the challenge be able to rewind back to the hook? I would be very easy for a coach to use this challenge as a tactical rest for his line. If this does happen, I am sure there will be very strict guidelines on when and how coaches could use this. We all have our issues with the on ice officals and the calls that they allow and do not allow. If we are going to consider a Coaches Challenge … I would really like to see the guidelines