Gary Bettman and the NHL cut referee Wes McCauley from the playoffs

Well-known NHL referee Wes McCauley won't be officiating in the 2024 Stanley Cup Conference Finals, missing a major milestone in the process. The officials for the Conference Finals have been chosen, but McCauley isn't among them. He won't be refereeing the games between the New York Rangers and Florida Panthers in the East, or the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers in the West.

Advancing to the later rounds of the NHL playoffs means more money for officials, so missing out is significant. This would have been McCauley's 13th consecutive NHL Conference Finals. According to Scouting the Refs, a hamstring issue is likely the reason.

"Referee Wes McCauley made the cut for Round 2, but never worked a game after Golden Knights/Stars Game 7 in the opening round, prompting suspicion that he was dealing with an injury. If so, it's apparent the league doesn't expect him to be able to return soon, and opted to leave him on the sidelines. McCauley has reached the Conference Finals for 12 straight seasons, including 10 trips to the Stanley Cup Final � missing 2021 due to injury."

McCauley, a former hockey player, became popular with fans for his enthusiastic penalty calls and on-ice interactions with players.

Previously on PuckReporter

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Gabriel Landeskog's retirement fate has been confirmed

Valeri Nichushkin's NHL fate has been confirmed

POLL
23 MAI \| 230 ANSWERS Gary Bettman and the NHL cut referee Wes McCauley from the playoffs If Wes McCauley wasn't injured, does he deserve to ref in the 2024 NHL Conference Finals?
Yes	67	29.1 %
No	84	36.5 %
Shouldn't be in the playoffs at all	41	17.8 %
Shouldn't even be in the NHL	38	16.5 %
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