NHL testing cameras in goal posts to improve replay system

The NHL is toying with the idea of adding cameras to goal posts in order to get a closer look on goal reviews.

"We are testing and experimenting with ‘in-post’ cameras and would like to introduce them when we are comfortable that they are completely functional and workable," NHL senior vice president of hockey operations Mike Murphy told Larry Brooks of the New York Post.

"We are not there yet. When we feel we have it right we will start to put them in nets throughout the league."

The NHL already has a centralized replay system, but the in-post cameras would provide a new angle for the league's video replay center in Toronto and presumably decrease the number of inconclusive reviews.

The league isn't the first to experiment with getting a better view of the goal line. ESPN used pylon cameras in its broadcast of college football's national championship game.

The NHL's plan is to place the new cameras halfway up the posts, but that could change. 

"The league is testing different distances from the ice level," Murphy said. 

The replay czar cited one example of a call that could have been corrected with the right technology in place.

New York Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello appeared to score on San Jose Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi during a game on Jan. 10. The puck was in Niemi's glove, which was in the net, but no available angle could confirm a goal.

"The refs’ call was ‘no goal,’ so we (had) to find conclusively that the whole puck was over the goal line," Murphy said. "This was extremely difficult because we couldn’t see where the puck was in Niemi’s glove.

"There are angles (in which) the puck appears to be in, but there are also angles where there is doubt," Murphy said. "Inconclusive was the result."

The league clearly wants to avoid botching future calls, and in-post cameras could certainly improve the vantage point of the officials who have the final say.