Leafs reprimanded by the NHL for breaking Phase 3 protocols

In case you missed it yesterday, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ made some headlines across the hockey world after it was reported that the team had hired NHL officials to referee their practice scrimmage games.

Check it out:

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The  leafs have brought two referees and two linesmen on the ice while simulating special teams work on Day 2 of camp. 

They’re not scrimmaging; just running a series of power plays.

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Sheldon Keefe says they’ll use officials for the rest of camp to more closely replicate game situations. The only reason they weren’t part of Day 1 is they needed to receive COVID tests.

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Pretty cool, right? 

It makes total sense if you think about it. Why not use officials to better create a realistic game atmosphere and get the players used to the level of officiating before games start for real. A smart, outside the box kind of idea, right?

Well, “Knock it off!”, says the NHL.

According to Sportsnet hockey insider Chris Johnston, the Maple Leafs have been told by the league that they can no longer use officials during their practices or scrimmages.

Check it out:

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The leafs were told by the NHL they couldn’t continue using officials during training camp, according to Sheldon Keefe.

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Further to this: Toronto wasn’t deemed to have broken any rules, per se, but the NHL wasn’t comfortable exposing the players and officials to one another.

And, judging by the volume of complaints, other NHL teams weren’t comfortable with it either.

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Now, maybe it's no big deal but I think this is kind of BS. If the concern is really about exposing players and officials and increasing the risk of COVID-19 then fair enough... but part of me just feels like this is sour grapes from some of the other teams who either can't afford to hire their own officials or doesn't like the idea of the Leafs gaining a competitive advantage. Personally, I feel like this is a bizarre, unique season and it requires bizarre and unique ideas to try to get ahead. 

In any case, it doesn't appear like the Leafs will face any real consequences for their hiring of officials. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I suppose.