When the Toronto Maple Leafs began using linesmen and and referees at training camp prior to the 2019-20 NHL playoffs, several teams were up-in-arms over the ordeal, claiming that the Leafs had an unfair advantage, ultimately leading to the NHL stepping in and prohibiting the use of NHL officials during training camp.
It made sense for the league to step in at that time in order to balance the scales for the teams who were in competition for the 8 playoff spots during the qualifying round, as the Leafs' use of NHL officials created a true game environment that the other teams in the Toronto bubble were not able to replicate.
Fast forward six months and once again NHL teams have found themselves in a training camp environment, with one team using NHL officials for scrimmages - only this time, it isn't the Maple Leafs.
Per TSN 1040's Jeff Paterson, the Vancouver Canucks had NHL officials working their Wednesday evening scrimmage game, with the rationale being that with no exhibition games, the referees and linesmen also needed the reps to prepare for the 2020-21 season.
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Perhaps the NHL is suffering from a case of short-term memory loss, or perhaps the Canucks sought the league's permission to utilize officials prior to bringing them in for Wednesday's scrimmage. Either way, this is something that should cause a few ripples in the water and create a bit of controversy ahead of puck drop on January 13th.
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