Darrell Davis: More video reviews will ruin the NHL

The NHL is headed for the abyss.

The dark, time-consuming, boring, momentum- and excitement-sapping abyss of too much video.

While other leagues, like the CFL, have successfully reduced the amount of time wasted reviewing calls made by its officials, the NHL is headed in the other direction. Because of some schmozzles in last year’s playoffs, particularly a pivotal, major penalty that was mistakenly assessed to the Vegas Golden Knights against the San Jose Sharks, the league is now demanding its officials review every match and major penalty, except for fighting majors. Double-minor penalties for high sticking are also eligible for review.

These reviews can add tedious minutes to every NHL game while the officials squint into their hand-held video screen, trying to validate their call. It may actually convince referees to avoid calling major penalties. Coaches can challenge disputed offsides, goalie interference, whenever they believe there should have been a play stoppage. And there’s no limit to the number of coaches’ challenges, except they receive escalating penalties for unsuccessful challenges.

There are going to be so many stupid stoppages — just give the referees’ whistles to the coaches!