Paul Stewart: Officiating Brethren Haven't Forgotten Don Henderson

Hey Paul,

It's recently been pointed out that the Flames were the least penalized team the season of the incident up until that Nashville game. Since then, the Flames have been the most penalized team in the NHL.

Do you see an end to this trend? As a Flames fan myself, it really bums me out.

Wideman should have gotten a more severe punishment, but is it professional for NHL Refs to hold a vendetta like this? Seems unfair to the rest of the team as well as the fans.

Here is the article examining the Flames' penalty trends:

http://www.flamesfrom80fe...ne-of-worst-theories.html

Hey Paul,

It's recently been pointed out that the Flames were the least penalized team the season of the incident up until that Nashville game. Since then, the Flames have been the most penalized team in the NHL.

Do you see an end to this trend? As a Flames fan myself, it really bums me out.

Wideman should have gotten a more severe punishment, but is it professional for NHL Refs to hold a vendetta like this? Seems unfair to the rest of the team as well as the fans.

Here is the article examining the Flames' penalty trends:

http://www.flamesfrom80fe...ne-of-worst-theories.html
- fry

There was an article about how Kadri draws the most penalties and since then refs have turned a blind eye on all infractions against Kadri

One ref even overturned a call a different ref had made

Hey Paul,

It's recently been pointed out that the Flames were the least penalized team the season of the incident up until that Nashville game. Since then, the Flames have been the most penalized team in the NHL.

Do you see an end to this trend? As a Flames fan myself, it really bums me out.

Wideman should have gotten a more severe punishment, but is it professional for NHL Refs to hold a vendetta like this? Seems unfair to the rest of the team as well as the fans.

Here is the article examining the Flames' penalty trends:

http://www.flamesfrom80fe...ne-of-worst-theories.html
- fry

Wideman-Henderson happened on Jan. 27, 2016.

1) In 2013-14, the Flames were the third-most penalized team in the NHL.
2) In 2014-15, the Flames were the least penalized team in the NHL.
2) In 2015-16, the Flames were the 5th least penalized team, although the incident happened just a little bit past midseason.

Now, look to this year. Wideman's PIM aren't anything out of the norm and the Flames have added some very aggressive players to the club like Tkachuk and Hathaway throws his weight around as well. Engelland played only 69 games last year and has already dressed in 43 this season. So there's most of the PIM discrepancy.

It's cyclical and team personnel related, not "a vendetta against the Flames."

Wideman-Henderson happened on Jan. 27, 2016.

1) In 2013-14, the Flames were the third-most penalized team in the NHL.
2) In 2014-15, the Flames were the least penalized team in the NHL.
2) In 2015-16, the Flyers were the 5th least penalized team, although the incident happened just a little bit past midseason.

Now, look to this year. Wideman's PIM aren't anything out of the norm and the Flames have added some very aggressive players to the club like Tkachuk and Hathaway throws his weight around as well. Engelland played only 69 games last year and has already dressed in 43 this season. So there's most of the PIM discrepancy.

It's cyclical and team personnel related, not "a vendetta against the Flames."
- Paul Stewart

That's fair. Appreciate the response. Sometimes it's easier to believe the conspiracy theories when the calls are stacking up against us like this year.

Cheers and here's hoping Don keeps working in the right direction health wise. This whole situation seems like such a nightmare..

Its sad, and I wonder where we are heading with sports in our society.
I referee soccer and basketball and we are in an extreme shortage of officials, especially younger officials to replace the aging vets who (eventually) will not be able to run up and down anymore.
We see abuse of officials in all sports--especially verbal abuse. It drives away good officials and makes it difficult for us to recruit younger/newer officials.
What will happen to sports 15-20 years from now when there is no one to call the games?
Best wishes to Don Henderson. It is a shame he can no longer work. I hope he gets the compensation he deserves from the NHL/Wideman.

Its sad, and I wonder where we are heading with sports in our society.
I referee soccer and basketball and we are in an extreme shortage of officials, especially younger officials to replace the aging vets who (eventually) will not be able to run up and down anymore.
We see abuse of officials in all sports--especially verbal abuse. It drives away good officials and makes it difficult for us to recruit younger/newer officials.
What will happen to sports 15-20 years from now when there is no one to call the games?
Best wishes to Don Henderson. It is a shame he can no longer work. I hope he gets the compensation he deserves from the NHL/Wideman.
- Amanion

Robots

Robots
- Mordecai

Robots don't have the ability to "feel" a game.

For example playoffs...the first round of playoffs is a total change from regular season hockey. There would be a ton more penalties called and every scrum after a whistle there would be at least 1 guy going to the box.

That's not good hockey.

A good official knows what to call and when to call it.

Paul, there is a clear issue with goaltender interference and what constitutes it in the NHL this year. 0 consistency all year long.

Wanted to get your thoughts on this and what the league should/shouldn't do to address it.

I'm playing the worlds smart violin for you Paul. Officials in the NHL have their head so far up there asses, stuff like Tony DeAngelo will keep happening. Linesman keeping their hands on a guy much longer than needed. Fix your poop and the players will fix theirs. Not condoning what Wideman did but I am Condoning DeAngelo.

Paul, there is a clear issue with goaltender interference and what constitutes it in the NHL this year. 0 consistency all year long.

Wanted to get your thoughts on this and what the league should/shouldn't do to address it.
- Mordecai

they need that shopping cart technology or house arrest technology that shocks/blocks skaters from getting in the crease