NHL actually promotes official who forcefully shoved a Maple Leafs player last season
Last season, you might recall an incident that occurred involving NHL linesman Dan Kelly and Maple Leafs winger Michael Bunting, in which Kelly had been in the process of escorting Bunting off the ice before forcefully shoving him down the tunnel.
This wasn't Kelly's only link to the Leafs, as he was also suspended 10 games back in 2016 for delivering a violent check to the head of then Maple Leafs prospect Andreas Johnsson during the Calder Cup playoffs. Kelly was a member of the New Jersey Devils organization at the time.
In a decision that is surely not going to sit well with any fans of the Leafs, Kelly has officially been promoted by the NHL, landing a job as a full-time NHL official beginning this season.
Gary Bettman continues to show that he simply just doesn't get it. He has once again failed to find the pulse of the NHL's rabid fanbase. With so much focus last season on questionable officiating, you'd have thought that he'd have pursued someone with a little more integrity. Clearly Bettman has missed the mark once again and the fans are going to be the ones who suffer because of it.
POLL |
Should Dan Kelly have received a promotion after putting his hands on a player like that? |
Yes, it's fine | 81 | 30.7 % |
No, that's bush league | 115 | 43.6 % |
Don't care | 68 | 25.8 % |
List of polls |
|
Oct 30 | By Axel Williams Marc-Andre Fleury shares special moment with Sidney Crosby & Kris Letang (video) |
|
Oct 30 | By Axel Williams Insider Frank Seravalli reveals how long Connor McDavid will likely be out for |
|
Oct 29 | By Axel Williams Former Ducks prospect Reggie Millette suspended indefinitely from Southern Professional Hockey League |
|
Oct 29 | By Axel Williams Filip Engaras delivers huge update following horrifying on-ice incident |
|
Oct 29 | By Axel Williams PWHL makes huge announcement regarding expansion |
|
Oct 29 | By Axel Williams Pittsburgh Penguins get fans nostalgic with hilarious Marc-Andre Fleury prank montage (video) |
|
Oct 29 | By Axel Williams Ryan Nugent-Hopkins calls out the Oilers for their reaction to Connor McDavid's injury |
|
Oct 29 | By Axel Williams Elliotte Friedman responds after Brad Marchand calls him out for fake news |
Previously on HockeyUnplugged