from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

Here’s an idea I’ve heard that has some merit: Why not a third ref that watches the game from the press box with access to HD replay, etc.? He could review, on the spot, all the controversial calls and help reverse them in obvious cases like Backes and Desjardins, communicating directly to the refs just like the war room does on goal reviews.

The downside? It further slows down the game, which goal reviews already do as well.

But it’s something worth thinking about, in my opinion.

Another idea that’s already finding new life after being bandied about in years past is the merit of a "Coach’s Challenge," where a coach could challenge a penalty and ask for it to be reviewed. Two NHL head coaches reached out this week to me and suggested it’s time to renew that debate.

I don’t mind it, but prefer the first idea. My fear with the coach’s challenge is that coaches would want to challenge anything near the end of games out of desperation. The first idea involves a neutral person.

more hockey topics