I was going to do a necro-bump, but couldn't find a dedicated thread to discuss the state of refereeing in the NHL. Thoughts, solutions, griping, repeat offenders, considerations of Wideman Conspiracies and anything of this like, can go in here.
The reason to start a thread, for me, was that this sort of thing usually ends up in a game thread, and then problems with certain refs or trends in the way penalties are being called, get swept away at the beginning of the next game and the next wave of threads.
I would like to start off with a solution :
There are many strong skaters, who have lived the game of hockey since they were kids, who don't have what it takes to make it in the NHL. I think that there should be an incentive program for journeyman players at the AHL level, or other qualified individuals, to enter into refereeing.
Quote:
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According to estimates, NHL referees earn between $165,000 and $360,000 per year, while linesmen make $110,000 to $235,000. While that's a good chunk of change, NHL officials still make way less than the players they oversee. Aug 17, 2018
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I would suggest that a full time NHL ref should make the same amount as the league minimum salary for the league that they are reffing. Entice people to enter this profession. It's nonsensical to me that the league would not invest in this part of the game.
Also, create a yearly review in which a referee has to maintain a certain standard of operation, or can be regulated in favor of a ref at a lower level of competition. The lifespan of an official should be about the same as a player, with the exception of the truly exceptional.