Mic catches veteran referee telling Florida Panthers it's okay to retaliate

Referee for the Florida Panthers Steve Kozari is seen chatting with Rangers Alex Lafrenière and Sam Bennett during a heated mic and on-camera moment during the Eastern Conference final between the New York Rangers and the eventual champions. The conversation is amusing, but it could also raise some red flags depending on your point of view.

Who is to say for sure whether the seasoned official was joking when he or she suggested Bennett or Lafreniere give one back? The National Hockey League takes great pleasure in its professionalism, particularly when it comes to refereeing, but as time goes on, concerns about their inability to safeguard players, missed calls, and other incidents have been raised.

The people who complain about officiating the most are armchair sports fans who sit at home and watch games from the comfort of their computers. These fans may not understand the game or the significance of interacting with players in the same way that a seasoned official like Kozari does. However, the officiating does appear to need some retooling.

Source: Blade of Steel
Veteran referee caught on hot mic telling Panthers they're allowed to retaliate