Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher's comments on NHL officials reflect mistreatment of Connor Bedard

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Sam Walker
March 28, 2025 (8:32)

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Following a load of controversy this past week regarding officials and their lack of consistency in decisions on calls, Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher pledges for the NHL to make changes involving their referees after a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Blackhawks fans can also relate after they witnessed Bedard get bullied by Simon Nemec on Wednesday night, with no penalty being called on the play.

It all started earlier in the week when New York Islanders' head coach Patrick Roy and forward Kyle Palmieri let their frustrations loose regarding the lack of clarity on NHL goaltender interference calls, alongside the Chicago Blackhawks head coach, calling for action to be taken on the mistreatment of his star player, Connor Bedard.

And now we have another player speaking out.

Brendan Gallagher wants NHL to make changes to their officials

Brendan Gallagher on the red-hot Canadiens was red hot himself after a 4-6 loss to the Flyers on Thursday, and he believes that the league must get rid of officials who lack consistency.

"We watch, we see what's going on, you know. The Palmieri goal, the goal we had call back. He skates in the crease on his own, he gets in Dober's way, that's what they've been calling; that's the standard. And then, you know, it seems to go against us every single time. It's incompetence. We need someone in there who can show consistency. Let's players are asking- I mean, I don't know who's making the decision- Its players are frustrated all over the league. It seems like there's zero consistency and it needs to change. We got to get people in there who understand the game and um you know, we're not getting that right now."

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Just two days later, Kyle Palmieri of the New York Islanders, who are also in the running for a playoff spot, bluntly let his feelings be known.

«I think it was f***ing embarrassing I guess the goalie needs 5 minutes to get reset and ready for the shot. It looked like [the ref] couldn't wait to wave it off.»

Said the Islanders forward

We are all aware how the NHL tolerates 'abuse of officials' on ice after witnessing what Bedard did to earn a 10-minute misconduct, now we will have to see if they handle it the same way off-ice.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Alex Ovechkin demands Capitals teammates' return to the ice to honor Marc-Andre Fleury

A major development in Blackhawks Connor Bedard not re-signing in Chicago

Blackhawks head coach sends a message to refs regarding mistreatment of Connor Bedard

POLL
MARS 28 \| 884 ANSWERS Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher's comments on NHL officials reflect mistreatment of Connor Bedard Do you think the NHL must hire new referees?
Yes	537	60.7 %
No, just teach them properly	347	39.3 %
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Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher's comments on NHL officials reflect mistreatment of Connor Bedard

Following a load of controversy this past week regarding officials and their lack of consistency in decisions on calls, Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher pledges for the NHL to make changes involving their referees after a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Brendan Gallagher wants NHL to make changes to their officials

Do you think the NHL must hire new referees?