Do the Leafs get special treatment from NHL refs? The numbers say no

It’s become commonplace for all hockey fans to come together to voice their displeasure with the quality of referees in the NHL, with some directing that uproar toward the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Maple Leafs, sitting second in the Atlantic Division at 18-5-6 with 42 points, are no stranger to facing allegations of being at the centre of the North American hockey landscape. But some are even starting to question the franchise’s relationship with referees.

Among that group is Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter, who wasn’t pleased with how Saturday’s contest in Toronto was officiated, which saw his team receive 16 penalty minutes to his opponent’s eight.

The 64-year-old bench boss wasn’t shy about his feelings post-game, implying the officials are biased toward the Maple Leafs. He also said it is something he’s witnessed repeatedly during his numerous trips to Scotiabank Arena.

“Well, that’s one thing I learned about a long time ago. When you’re in Chicago all those years, and you come into Toronto, you know what goes on,” Sutter told reporters following Saturday’s 5-4 overtime loss. “I won’t say nothing more...

"Do you think they were all penalties tonight? I don't."

Sutter was alluding to his 14 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, eight as a player and six as a coach, where he’s supposedly been on the wrong end of the penalty scale more often than not.

But is Sutter on to something here? Or could his frustrations with the league’s referees be misplaced?

Well, let’s dive into the numbers first. This season, the Maple Leafs and Flames are tied for the 12th-most drawn penalties (116) league-wide, with Toronto ranking 19th in penalty minutes per game (8:55) and Calgary at 15th (9:40).

It is also worth noting that Sutter’s club is tied for the seventh-most penalties taken (126), whereas Sheldon Keefe’s skaters have been charged with the 14th-most (112). So perhaps the Flames simply need to be more disciplined.

That sentiment definitely needs to be emphasized more at the Scotiabank Saddledome, where Calgary has racked up 71 infractions, tied for second-most in the NHL. They have also drawn 67 penalties on home ice, the sixth-most in the league.

Toronto, meanwhile, has been slightly less successful than Calgary in that regard, drawing 66 penalties at home - tied for seventh league-wide. The Leafs have been more effective at avoiding the sin bin, though, committing the 12th-most infractions (56).

So, contrary to Sutter’s beliefs, referees haven’t treated the Maple Leafs any differently — or better — than the 31 other NHL franchises in 2022-23. And the same goes over the last five seasons, too.

If anything, Calgary has been favoured more in recent years, as the team has drawn nearly 200 more penalties than Toronto since 2018-19. The same has also occurred during home matchups, with the Flames totalling 599 penalties drawn to the Maple Leafs’ 513.

Calgary has also been far less disciplined during this span, placing 14th in penalties taken (1,190) and 15th in penalty minutes per game (8:43). As for Toronto, it ranks 29th (1,020) and 30th (7:17) in both categories, respectively.

Referees are often criticized for missing calls, but what they aren’t doing, according to the numbers, is providing the Maple Leafs with more power plays than they should. They may even deserve to have a few more called in their favour.

There’s nothing like a good controversy to add some spice to a hockey season. In this case, however, no foul play appears to be transpiring with one of the sport’s largest markets.

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