Introduction to the Issue
Connor Bedard’s misconduct penalties in consecutive games on the Blackhawks’ last road trip have ignited a discussion: Do NHL referees treat young players unfairly? Interim coach Anders Sorensen passionately defended Bedard’s actions, saying he remembers Sidney Crosby and Peter Forsberg also needing to learn how to rein in frustrations on the ice when they first entered the league. Sorensen called it “human nature” to get frustrated about a lack of success.
The Treatment of Young Players
But he added that captains and alternate captains are “the guys refs want to talk to.” They’re much less keen on discussing calls or taking flak from guys they don’t know as well. Even beyond the misconducts, there has been a marked shift in how Bedard has been officiated this season, although it’s debatable whether that’s because he’s not as effectively walking the legality line or because referees are being harsher toward him.
Bedard’s Penalty Differential
Last season, Bedard led the Hawks with a plus-11 penalty differential (25 drawn, 14 against). This season, he entered Tuesday with the Hawks’ worst penalty differential at minus-11 (12 drawn, 23 against). There’s no question he is prone to hooking or holding opponents who get past him, so the calls made against him are usually fair enough. As he improves defensively, those should decrease. But it does seem like he’s often held or hooked just as much without equivalent punishment.
Potential Bias
Are referees subconsciously biased against Bedard because they believe he hasn’t earned his fame or paid his dues long enough yet? Are they instead biased against him because they don’t like how frequently he complains about non-calls, creating a snowball effect in which they call even fewer? Or can the marked shift be explained solely by coincidence and Bedard’s sophomore slump, indicating no bias at all? It’s hard to say.
Frank Nazar’s Experience
Interestingly, another young Hawks forward — Frank Nazar — has experienced much different results in the penalty category this season. Nazar’s plus-six penalty differential entered Tuesday tied with Tyler Bertuzzi as the Hawks’ best this season. He has drawn 13 penalties, including six in 12 games since the 4 Nations break, while simultaneously committing only three penalties in his last 33 games (after committing four in his first five games).
Nazar’s Proficiency
Much of Nazar’s proficiency with drawing penalties stems from his constant hustle. Like a basketball player intentionally trying to draw contact in the lane to get a foul call, Nazar knows how to put himself in positions where opponents are inclined to interfere. “He drives the puck a lot [and he] moves his feet a lot,” Sorensen said Tuesday. “He is really good at getting into someone while his feet are moving. Because of that, a lot of times, the guy is going to take you down — or you’re going to find space for yourself.”
Establishing a Good Reputation
Nazar mentioned moving his feet as a key, too, but he also believes he has established a good reputation with referees that’s helping him get favorable treatment. He thinks they’ve learned to trust he’s “not here to goon up.” “My first couple games, I was getting kicked out of every [faceoff],” Nazar said. “It’s more [about] respecting them, not mouthing off and cheating on every faceoff. If they tell you, ‘Watch your skate,’ I go, ‘OK, OK.’”
Comparison and Speculation
Considering rookie Bedard drew just as many penalties as rookie Nazar has, does that suggest Nazar could run into more problems with referees next season? Does Nazar’s relative lack of fame compared to Bedard instead mean referees will always view him differently? Or does it really come down to coincidence and differing skill sets, not bias? Again, it’s hard to say. NHL referees are never made available for interviews, and there are a number of chicken-or-egg psychological conundrums to untangle here that referees probably wouldn’t be able to explain even if made available.
Conclusion
The discrepancy in how penalties are called for Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar raises important questions about potential biases and the factors influencing referees’ decisions. Understanding these dynamics could be crucial for the Blackhawks as they navigate the challenges of developing young talent in a league where perception and reputation can significantly impact a player’s experience.
FAQs
- Q: Are NHL referees biased against young players?
- A: The article suggests that it’s possible, but there’s no clear evidence to support this claim. Referees’ decisions can be influenced by various factors, including a player’s reputation and behavior on the ice.
- Q: Why does Frank Nazar draw more penalties than Connor Bedard?
- A: Nazar’s constant hustle and ability to put himself in positions where opponents are inclined to interfere contribute to his proficiency in drawing penalties. Additionally, he believes establishing a good reputation with referees has helped him receive favorable treatment.
- Q: Can the shift in how Bedard is officiated be explained by his sophomore slump?
- A: Yes, it’s possible that Bedard’s sophomore slump could contribute to the shift in how he’s being officiated. However, it’s also possible that referees are being harsher toward him due to other factors, such as his complaints about non-calls.
