Editor's Note: This post was originally written and posted over at Copper And Blue. For uhhh reasons beyond anyone's control, it was removed but recent events have led me to want to re-post it. The original title of the post was "Jim Matheson Is Lazy, Doesn’t Give A Shit" which apparently bothered "some" people. There was an update to the original article I would have made but everything else is as originally posted except where noted. The title of the post comes courtesy of @CopperAndBlue. Enjoy!

I was catching up on last night's twitter feed when I saw something from Dellow that I had to confirm:

Matheson_is_lazy_medium

Is it possible that a "Hall of Fame" writer like Jim Matheson would submit the same question and answer two weeks in a row? Or could his editor think no one would notice? Let's roll 2:12:

Ask Matty January 28, 2013

Q: Did NHL referees get paid during the lockout, which referees retired and was the no-touch icing rule brought to the NHL this season?

(Justin)

A: No referees or linesmen drew a salary during the lockout. They could take out a five-per-cent interest-free loan against their wages every month. Embattled referee Stephane Auger, who had a publicized run-in with Vancouver Canucks' Alexandre Burrows - Auger felt Burrows was diving and showing him up while Burrows claimed there was a discussion before a game to that fact - either retired or wasn't hired back. He was working in Europe at last report. David Banfield wasn't rehired. Paul Devorski (54) is the oldest referee working (1,408 games coming into this season). Three others are over 50 - Dennis Larue (53), Don Vanmassenhoven (52) and Brad Watson (51). Three linesmen - Andy McElman (51), Mike Cvik (50) and Brad Lazarowich (50) - are 50 or older. The no-touch icing was used in the American Hockey League for several months as an experiment to see how it might work, with the NHL likely adopting it later. It worked fine and defencemen, especially, loved it. But the AHL decided to have the icing rule standardized, with the same rule being used in both leagues. It could be in the NHL next season. Races for the puck on icing calls are an excuse for a terrible accident waiting to happen. Just ask Kurtis Foster and Taylor Fedun, who both suffered broken legs.

And seven days later...

Ask Matty February 4, 2013

Q: Were the NHL referees paid during the lockout and which referees aren't back?

(Justin)

A: None of the referees or linesmen drew a salary while the lockout was on. They could take out a five-per-cent interest-free loan against their wages every month. Embattled referee Stephane Auger, who had that publicized run-in with Vancouver Canucks' Alexandre Burrows - Auger felt Burrows was diving and showing him up while Burrows claimed there was a discussion before a game to that fact - either retired or wasn't hired back. He was working in Europe, at last report. David Banfield wasn't rehired. By the way, Paul Devorski (54) is the oldest referee working (1,408 games coming into this season). Three others are over 50 - Dennis Larue (53), Don Vanmassenhoven (52) and Brad Watson (51). Devorski and Larue worked two games on the just finished Oilers road trip to Phoenix and San Jose

The Verdict

Yes, Jim Matheson's Ask Matty column has minimal editing to his answer to essentially the same question in back-to-back weeks. Remember this next time someone is mentioning his stellar track record. He can't even be bothered to seek out someone worth plagiarizing. Also, his answer to the points question is ridiculous. He even explains why the last shortened season doesn't apply. Anyway, between the lockouts it required an average of 94 points to make the playoffs. You take that number, divide it by 82, and multiply that by 48 and BAM! You'd think the 8th placed team needs 55 points. If you just look at the last three years the average was 96 points which would be 56 points pro-rated.

Update: Blame The Editor

It came to my attention, through secret means, that it was Jim Matheson's editor that couldn't be bothered to double check the information in a once-a-week article. I mean, someone knew enough to edit the question and answer but wasn't aware enough to not repeat the heart of the question. Seems totally believable. Either way, the posts were edited within an hour or so of the original post hitting the interwebs.

Regardless of the truth, it seems hilarious in light of the latest Matheson inspired chuckle.

More New Information: Possible Oilers Tampering

If you stick around to read West Coast Twitter you'll see some interesting discussions. The other night it led to a discussion of Jim Matheson's latest article which dawgbone dissects here. The possible conclusions are pretty funny because they basically boil down to the fact that

  1. Matty's the biggest Oilers' shill in a big pond full of them but possibly the only one to create his own alternate reality
  2. The Oilers tampered with Justin Schultz and leaked that information to Matty and he forgot it was a secret
  3. Matty wrote a clumsier than usual article and his editor once again fumbled it.

The last one is Jonathan Willis' suggestion but it probably reads true. Of course, then Matty tweets this:

Gee, maybe if you read your own article you'd understand why some people might have that belief but then again you're probably busy winning film festival awards.