Leafs GM Kyle Dubas laughs off questions about NHL officiating, careful to avoid being fined
The officiating in the NHL this season has been the subject of much scrutiny. It has been a common talking point among fans, players and even league executives, but few speak of it openly for fear of harsh fines from Commissioner Gary Bettman. That's why, when Leafs GM Kyle Dubas was asked about it following the first day of the GM meetings, all he could do was laugh.
Dubas was careful with his words so as to avoid facing one of those lofty fines, but he did touch on the play of Auston Matthews, noting that the organization is well aware of how few penalties he draws.
"He barely ever gets knocked down, and he doesn't really complain. He was obviously upset because we lost the game (against the Arizona Coyotes) on a play that was a missed call. But he's not one that complains. He just goes and does his thing and rolls. We wish the way that he played would draw more, but they don't deem that it does."
- Dubas on the lack of penalties that Auston Matthews has drawn
The Leafs' GM may have laughed off the questions about officiating originally, but he did have some insightful words surrounding how difficult a job that NHL referees face with the speed of the game being what it is.
"No one's ever happy with it. You're only unhappy with it. When you win the game and everything has gone fairly well, you don't really credit officiating, you credit your team. When things go poorly - and we've had some moments like that this year - it's easy to look at the officiating and say it has gotta be on them."
- Dubas on officiating
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
POLL |
29 MARS | 154 ANSWERS Leafs GM Kyle Dubas laughs off questions about NHL officiating, careful to avoid being fined Will the NHL fine Dubas for laughing off question about officiating? |
Yes | 23 | 14.9 % |
No | 95 | 61.7 % |
His follow-up comments will spare him | 36 | 23.4 % |
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