Connor Hellebuyck, a strong contender for his third Vezina Trophy, admits he`s struggling to understand the NHL`s goaltender interference rules.
Despite his experience on competition committees and attempts to clarify the rules with examples, the Winnipeg Jets` goalie remains perplexed by what constitutes interference. He`s not alone in his confusion.
“I’ve really tried my best to help over the last four or five years,” Hellebuyck commented after a disputed interference call against the Jets. “I’ve tried to help make it clearer.”
Simply because a goalie is bumped, pushed, or loses their helmet when a goal is scored doesn`t automatically mean it`s interference. Sometimes, even plays that seem like interference are overturned after review, as seen when the New York Islanders had a potential game-winning goal disallowed against Columbus, much to coach Patrick Roy`s frustration.
The topic of goalie interference was prominent at the recent general managers` meeting. While there was agreement on most reviewed plays, discussions were described as “colourful,” highlighting the subjective nature of the calls. Commissioner Gary Bettman noted the consensus showed the GMs` confidence in the current system.
Bettman stated that managers understand the complexities, emphasizing that most calls are judgment-based, leading to varied opinions.
Defining Goalie Interference
Colorado Avalanche goalie Mackenzie Blackwood expressed the widespread uncertainty: “I know what I think it is, but I don’t know that’s what it actually is.”
Officials have advised teams to ensure strong video evidence before challenging interference calls, as unsuccessful challenges result in minor penalties.
Kris King, VP of hockey operations, acknowledged the subjective element: “These aren’t black and white. There’s a lot of judgment involved.”
NHL rule 69.1 states goals should be disallowed if an attacking player impairs the goalie`s movement within the crease or initiates intentional contact, inside or outside the crease.
However, incidental contact outside the crease is permitted if the attacker reasonably tries to avoid it.
This “incidental contact” clause leads to diverse interpretations. Kay Whitmore, NHL senior director of hockey operations, described it as “a convoluted rule.”
This season, out of 1,048 games, there were 105 coach’s challenges for goalie interference, with 60 overturned. Last season saw 88 challenges and 48 overturned, and the season before had 85 challenges with 42 overturned.
Colin Campbell noted the contentious nature of these challenges: “Any time you have a coach’s challenge, someone’s mad. Every play is unique, like snowflakes, similar but not identical.”
Navigating the Ambiguity
Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice uses a checklist before challenging a call. He consults with the goalie coach and video team for indisputable evidence, combining these with his own intuition.
Maurice asks himself, “Do I think that’s goal interference?”
This decision process is compressed into about 30 seconds. However, if Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky strongly disagrees with a call, Maurice is more inclined to challenge, regardless of his own assessment.
“I’m probably calling it regardless of whether I think he’s right or wrong,” Maurice admitted.
However, this approach changes during the playoffs.
“When you get into the playoffs, that’s not true. I’ll look at it and think, ‘Am I getting this call, or am I not?’ Then I’ll make that decision,” Maurice clarified, suggesting a more strategic approach in crucial playoff games.
