NHL Community Thinks Firing Ref Tim Peel For Hot-Mic Incident Was Excessive

NHL ref Tim Peel got caught in the act doing something that refs do every day in the NHL–calling a make up penalty.

During the Red Wings-Predators game, Peel was heard on mic saying he, ““wanted to get a f—ing penalty against Nashville.”

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"I wanted to get a fucking penalty on Nashville early in-"

– mic'd up NHL ref#Preds #LGRW pic.twitter.com/t5tBUgIEcF

— SideAction (@SideActionHQ) March 24, 2021

After a short investigation into the matter, the NHL has decided to fire Tim Peel.

“Nothing is more important than ensuring the integrity of our game,” NHL senior executive vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell said in a statement. “Tim Peel’s conduct is in direct contradiction to the adherence to that cornerstone principle that we demand of our officials and that our fans, players, coaches and all those associated with our game expect and deserve. There is no justification for his comments, no matter the context or his intention, and the National Hockey League will take any and all steps necessary to protect the integrity our game.”

The NHL community has taken to social media to share their view that Peel’s punishment was a bit extreme.

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Holy shit. Never did I think this would be the outcome of the hot mic. Make up calls have always been and will continue to be just part of the game. Tough way to go out for Tim Peel https://t.co/N8MZxZkyDz

— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) March 24, 2021

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the NHL firing Tim Peel for getting caught doing the exact thing they’ve told their officials to do for decades pic.twitter.com/uXC4mF3uNo

— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) March 24, 2021

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if you think about it, firing tim peel is kind of a weak make-up penalty

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 24, 2021

[sportsbookaffiliates]

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I personally would have considered mentioning in the statement that the NHL intends to address the issue of make-up calls with the entirety of its officiating crew so that it doesn't exist anymore. Tim Peel just got caught saying out loud what many officials think all the time.

— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) March 24, 2021

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The same league that can't figure out how to market Sidney Crosby or Connor McDavid somehow managed to turn everyone into Tim Peel supporters with one paragraph.

— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) March 24, 2021

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look I dislike Tim Peel's reffing as much as the next gal, but you cannot tell me you're gonna make this man the scapegoat for something every official does just because he was dumb enough to say it out loud

— Hannah Stuart (@HockeywthHannah) March 24, 2021

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I always liked Tim Peel. There’s a flow in NHL games that refs have to manage that might be tough to notice. They are human, and make mistakes, and sometimes get caught up in keeping that flow. Might be excessive 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️ https://t.co/wriwZcelZK

— jason demers (@jasondemers5) March 24, 2021

I think the support from NHL players is especially telling as it pertains to the Tim Peel situation. The guys on the ice are well aware that make-up calls are a thing. Now, if you want to change the dynamic of that, then that’s another story.

Tim Peel was just the scapegoat and happened to get caught doing something that is actually pretty widely accepted in the league. The worst part is that Tim Peel was scheduled to retire after the season. He just had to make it a couple more months.

I happen to feel bad for the guy.

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