From what I understand, the league is fully aware of all of this, they looked into it, and neither Keefe nor McCauley have any problem with McCauley working the games.

So it's a non-story, as much as we would like to make it into one.
- Atomic Wedgie

There are a number of ways to look at this.

1) The NHL should where possible avoid placing themselves in a position where the perception of a conflict of interest can be questioned - particularly with them being party to billions of dollars of gambling revenue.

2) Wes McCauley has been an NHL referee for 20 years. Throwing that career away over a petty squabble with Sheldon Keefe would be a ridiculous thing to do to himself, his family and his reputation.

2 can trump 1 pretty easily, but money talks. If questions arise around the potential conflict where their gambling interests lie, they'll do something about it - but until then, I think we can all rest assured that Wes McCauley may not like the Leafs, may not like Keefe, but he is a professional ref who just really likes making himself the focus.

There are a number of ways to look at this.

1) The NHL should where possible avoid placing themselves in a position where the perception of a conflict of interest can be questioned - particularly with them being party to billions of dollars of gambling revenue.

2) Wes McCauley has been an NHL referee for 20 years. Throwing that career away over a petty squabble with Sheldon Keefe would be a ridiculous thing to do to himself, his family and his reputation.

2 can trump 1 pretty easily, but money talks. If questions arise around the potential conflict where their gambling interests lie, they'll do something about it - but until then, I think we can all rest assured that Wes McCauley may not like the Leafs, may not like Keefe, but he is a professional ref who just really likes making himself the focus.
- Monkeypunk

He would give you 2 minutes for MAKING AN EXCELLENT POST!

I can't find the Labbatt Blue powder skiing commercial, but these two are pretty peak 1980s:



Beer commercials used to be so awesome.

Aside: have you ever seen the movie Beer with Loretta Switt and Rip Torn?

Oh boy, you could not make that movie today.

But damn, funny as hell.

He would give you 2 minutes for MAKING AN EXCELLENT POST!
- Scabeh

And ensure he made that call in the most drawn out and dramatic manner to maximize his time on TV.

The whole jump off point of his 15 minutes of fame with the fighting call was funny, now it's just stupid and annoying (to me).

He seems so smug and attention seeking when he calls penalties and I don't understand why the NHL hasn't told him to tone it down, I mean nobody paid to come to see him they paid to see hockey.

I can't find the Labbatt Blue powder skiing commercial, but these two are pretty peak 1980s:



Beer commercials used to be so awesome.

Aside: have you ever seen the movie Beer with Loretta Switt and Rip Torn?

Oh boy, you could not make that movie today.

But damn, funny as hell.
- Atomic Wedgie

QP was in that commercial in Sherbrooke.

I can't find the Labbatt Blue powder skiing commercial, but these two are pretty peak 1980s:



Beer commercials used to be so awesome.

Aside: have you ever seen the movie Beer with Loretta Switt and Rip Torn?

Oh boy, you could not make that movie today.

But damn, funny as hell.
- Atomic Wedgie

you cant make any old funny movie today

He would give you 2 minutes for MAKING AN EXCELLENT POST!
- Scabeh

QP was in that commercial in Sherbrooke.
- AdamFrench

he was the guy on the phone telling his GM to trade him right (frank)ing now

And ensure he made that call in the most drawn out and dramatic manner to maximize his time on TV.

The whole jump off point of his 15 minutes of fame with the fighting call was funny, now it's just stupid and annoying (to me).

He seems so smug and attention seeking when he calls penalties and I don't understand why the NHL hasn't told him to tone it down, I mean nobody paid to come to see him they paid to see hockey.
- Cush29

Well the NHL is supposed to be entertaining, I actually don't mind people showing a little personnality here and there.

Well the NHL is supposed to be entertaining, I actually don't mind people showing a little personnality here and there.
- Scabeh

What they need to do (and never will actually do) is put the names back on the refs' jerseys.

More accountability.

Fans would know what kind of game was going to be called.

But like I said, will never happen.

What they need to do (and never will actually do) is put the names back on the refs' jerseys.

More accountability.

Fans would know what kind of game was going to be called.

But like I said, will never happen.
- Atomic Wedgie

I'm all for them being accessible to the media after a game.

The coaches and players are made available and need to answer questions, why couldn't the refs?

Again, never gonna happen.

What they need to do (and never will actually do) is put the names back on the refs' jerseys.

More accountability.

Fans would know what kind of game was going to be called.

But like I said, will never happen.
- Atomic Wedgie

Agreed on it should happen but won't and it's stupid, it's not like it's a secret who the referee is?

Agreed on it should happen but won't and it's stupid, it's not like it's a secret who the referee is?
- Cush29

For the casual fans, they have no idea.

I'm all for them being accessible to the media after a game.

The coaches and players are made available and need to answer questions, why couldn't the refs?
- Scabeh

Hard yes to this but that will definitely NEVER happen. I'd even take the league or the person responsible for officiating to only speak about that topic, explain a call and god forbid take accountability when they get it wrong.

I'm all for them being accessible to the media after a game.

The coaches and players are made available and need to answer questions, why couldn't the refs?

Again, never gonna happen.
- Scabeh

maybe the refs arent great as its a thankless job. That would drive more people away from it.

Edit: Wow they make decent cash!

Well the NHL is supposed to be entertaining, I actually don't mind people showing a little personnality here and there.
- Scabeh

Goals and saves and hits are entertaining.

Dude acting out his drama class dreams, not even using the right hand signals for officiating is a joke. What other sport do you see that in? None - and that's why the NHL from some perspectives (including consistency in officiating) is seen as bush league or a joke.

Trying to explain to someone who had never seen ice hockey how the rules work in say the last 5 games of the regular season while they then watched into the 1st round of the playoffs would have them believing you had totally lied for 5 games and/or were insane.

lol

maybe the refs arent great as its a thankless job. That would drive more people away from it.

Edit: Wow they make decent cash!
- drexel

Edit Dos: McCauley will make over 400K. hahah

Senior refs make up to $430,000 annually.
First-year NHL refs earn about $200,000.
Senior linesmen make up to $228,000.

Goals and saves and hits are entertaining.

Dude acting out his drama class dreams, not even using the right hand signals for officiating is a joke. What other sport do you see that in? None - and that's why the NHL from some perspectives (including consistency in officiating) is seen as bush league or a joke.

Trying to explain to someone who had never seen ice hockey how the rules work in say the last 5 games of the regular season while they then watched into the 1st round of the playoffs would have them believing you had totally lied for 5 games and/or were insane.

lol
- Cush29

Really?

It seems pretty straightforward to me.

The ref sees an obvious penalty.

Then the ref makes a decision on whether to call it or not, based upon the following factors:
- time of game
- whether the player making the infraction's team is winning or losing game
- whether the player making the fraction's team is winning or losing the series
- reputation of player
- reputation of player who was fouled
- number of penalties already called on offending team
- number of penalties already called on other team
- differential between two teams on penalties
- where on the ice infraction occurred
- home game or away game

Pretty simple. What don't you get?

Senior refs make up to $430,000 annually.
First-year NHL refs earn about $200,000.
Senior linesmen make up to $228,000.
- Symba007

I'll bet it's a franking grind to get there, though.

Senior refs make up to $430,000 annually.
First-year NHL refs earn about $200,000.
Senior linesmen make up to $228,000.
- Symba007

And that doesn't include the brown bags of cash under the table at Country Style.

I'll bet it's a franking grind to get there, though.
- Atomic Wedgie

Driving around small town Canada in the winter with skates and a whistle, like a drifter.

I'll bet it's a franking grind to get there, though.
- Atomic Wedgie

and short career, most retire in their 40's

and short career, most retire in their 40's
- Symba007

If I made over 400k annually, maybe I'd also retire in my 40's.

If I made over 400k annually, maybe I'd also retire in my 40's.
- Scabeh

most graduate to the NHL in their mid/late 30's, refs at the NHL level for what...10-15 years? you will need another job after that