Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Should an unsuccessful coach's challenge equal a delay-of-game penalty?

12/17/2015 at 11:18pm EST

The Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson focuses on the Dallas Stars' play in his Hockey World column, but this "Short Shift" raised both of my eyebrows:

The NHL didn’t think there would be anywhere near the 70 or so coach’s challenges made so far this season. They felt the coaches wouldn’t risk losing their time out if they were wrong, but that’s piddling stuff to them. The challenge takes three times as long as the time out and that benefits the coaches. Here’s what the NHL may well do next year: they will allow the coach’s challenge for offsides on goals and goalie interference on goals but if the coach loses a challenge they will get a delay-of-game penalty rather than lose their time out. They can challenge more than once but it’s the same rules (two-minute penalty if they guess wrong). The NHL figures there will be about 200 coach’s challenges by season’s end.

Matheson continues, and I understand that the league and fans aren't thrilled about "experimental" coach's challenges, but the concept of linking one coach's challenge to a penalty, never mind unlimited coach's challenges to penalties, seems to defeat its purpose.

Create an Account

In order to leave a comment, please create an account.

About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

Email Paul anytime at [email protected]

Most Recent Posts

Most Recent Comments

Comment by TreKronor in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Still In It For Bubble Teams In The East - 24 minutes ago
Comment by EthrDemon in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Still In It For Bubble Teams In The East - 6 hours ago
Comment by Steeb in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Still In It For Bubble Teams In The East - 7 hours ago