Inside Hockey Operations Blog

Welcome to the Video Room
10.03.09 / 12:00 PM ET

NHL Hockey Operations will take fans inside the Video Room for more than 13 hours of live updates on video replay decisions, rule interpretations and other things that come up during the course of managing a full slate of 15 games.  It is day three of 193 on the regular season schedule and Executive VP of Hockey Ops Colin Campbell, Senior VP Mike Murphy and their staff are at the helm in the League office in Toronto, as they are for each and every night of the regular season and playoffs.  Come on inside and we will give you our view of Super Saturday.  Enjoy the day.

One game down, 14 to go
10.03.09 / 02:20 PM ET

One game down, 14 to go.  An uneventful game from Hockey Ops standpoint in Helsinki - always a good thing from our point of view.  No controversy on any of the goals and the officials were "invisible" - which is a positive from Hockey Ops view.  Two games set to go at 3:00 p.m.  NHL Officiating Manager Bob Hall is on-site in Colorado, while Kris King and John Sedgwick of Hockey Ops are in Stockholm.  About 25% of the 1,230 regular season games have officiating managers on site to assist with video review and monitor the performance of the on-ice officials.   

Homer's goal is good
10.03.09 / 03:17 PM ET

Video Review of Detroit's Tomas Holmstrom goal at 0:31 of 1st period -- Mike Murphy determines that, after viewing the reverse angle camera replay, it is clear that the puck deflects off of Holmstrom's pants and goes in the net.  Good goal.

No goal for Cleary, Wings
10.03.09 / 03:26 PM ET

Review of the Dan Cleary tip of the Jason Williams shot determined that the puck was struck above the height of the crossbar therefore no goal.  The officials had the same no goal call on the ice.   

Communication is the key
10.03.09 / 03:30 PM ET

We just had the first video review of 15-game Saturday and you might be wondering about the communication system between the Video Room here in Toronto and each of the rinks when a video review is taking place.  Colin Campbell and Mike Murphy sit in front of an intercom system that has direct access to both the video replay booth and the penalty box in each of the 30 buildings.  When a replay is initiated, Colin or Mike have a three-way conversation with the referee at ice level and the video replay official upstairs to get each of their perspectives on the play in question.  Simultaneously, Colin, Mike and their staff are looking at numerous replays from several different camera angles on two 64-inch HD monitors before Colin or Mike make a decision on whether it was a good goal.  For the two games in Europe though, we are using the old fashioned way of communicating with the referees and Kris King - by telephone.  

No down time in the Video Room
10.03.09 / 06:02 PM ET

Three games down and 12 to go, including a dizzying stretch that will see eight games begin in just over an hour.  The "down time" is being spent fixing some minor, early season communications "bugs" with a couple of arenas; communicating with some broadcasters across the League clarifying some rules interpretations and closing the loop with our staff on the three early games.

All hands on deck
10.03.09 / 06:30 PM ET

With eight games starting simultaneously in about 30 minutes, you might wonder exactly how we have them all covered.  With four of our Hockey Ops staff in Stockholm and Helsinki, we have pulled in some of the great hockey minds from other areas of Hockey Operations.  Longtime head of Central Scouting, and former NHL coach, EJ McGuire along with several members of his Central Scouting staff are here and have each been assigned games.  It's all hands on deck in the video room to support Colin and Mike, including Hockey Ops video room regulars Tim Campbell and Mark Barbetta.  Everyone is assigned a game - watching numerous broadcast feeds and camera angles all with one simple goal - get it right!   Colin and Mike are about to direct traffic with all eight games going up shortly on two 64" monitors. 

Wheeler's goal is good
10.03.09 / 07:37 PM ET

Video Review of  Boston's Blake Wheeler's goal at 13:04 of 1st period showed that it deflected off Wheeler's skate - there was no distinct kicking motion.  Good goal

How were the calls?
10.03.09 / 08:00 PM ET

Eight first periods in the books for the 7 pm starts ... "How were the calls?" is a common refrain when a handful of power-play goals are scored.  Lots of discussion on how referees  Kozari and St. Pierre appropriately handled the penalty calls after a solid, legal hit by Islanders' defenseman Witt on Penguins' Fedotenko leads to a fight and and an instigator call on Pittsburgh's McKee.

Walker's goal is good
10.03.09 / 08:41 PM ET

Video Review of Carolina's Scott Walker's goal at 15:21 showed that his stick was below the height of the crossbar which confirmed the call on the ice by Referee Chriss Rooney.  Good goal.

Shootout notes
10.03.09 / 10:00 PM ET

While the atmosphere hits a frenzy in-arena, it is a picture of calm in the Video Room.  Hockey Ops keeps an open line throughout the shootout with the video replay booth in the arena and there is communication after each shootout attempt.  In addition to ensuring whether the puck crossed the line, Hockey Ops is monitoring that the "penalty shot" attempt is taken in accordance with the rules.  For example, Rule 80.1 states that "cradling the puck on the blade of the stick (like lacrosse) above the normal height of the shoulders shall be prohibited".  Another example of what we are looking for:  Rule 25.2 states that "the puck must be kept in motion towards the opponent's goal".  An extra point is on the line - important that we are sharp.

Long day comes to an end
10.04.09 / 01:05 AM ET

It is ending almost 13 hours exactly from when it all began shortly after noon ET in Helsinki.  From Hockey Ops standpoint, it has been a great opening three days of the season, culminating with our 15-game Saturday.  Lots of goals, lots of passion with some rivalries picking up right where they left off last season as well as a couple of new ones.  We are only getting started - 192 more nights of regular season play to come where every game matters.  We will look to continue to give our fans a peek inside Hockey Ops on occasion during the season.  Enjoy the day off!