Why wasn’t Josh Manson ejected for butt-end on Michael McCarron in Avs-Wild Game 4? NHL Rule 58.2
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Butt-ends were almost an epidemic in the NHL in the 1990s, but they’ve become largely extinct in today’s game.
On Monday night in Game 4 of a second-round Stanley Cup playoff series, we got a flashback. In Josh Manson’s return to the Colorado Avalanche’s lineup from injury, the veteran defenseman landed on the ice after Minnesota Wild forward Michael McCarron finished a check on him. Manson, who had a hold of McCarron’s head as they fell, then attempted to butt-end McCarron in the neck area.
A butt-end is an “action whereby a player uses the shaft of the stick, above the upper hand, to check an opposing player in any manner or jabs or attempts to jab an opposing player with this part of the stick,” according to the NHL rulebook.
McCarron got up fuming and contended to both refs that he was butt-ended. Referees Jean Hebert and Trevor Hanson called a major so they could review it.
After a long video review, the referees apparently couldn’t confirm that Manson actually landed the butt-end. They downgraded the major to a double minor. Rule 58.2 in the NHL’s official rules states that “a double-minor penalty will be imposed on a player who attempts to butt-end an opponent.”
If the butt-end lands, per Rules 58.3 and 58.5, it’s a mandatory major penalty and game misconduct.
Josh Manson receives a double minor for butt ending Michael McCarron. pic.twitter.com/KQSm2lawIi
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 12, 2026
In a text to The Athletic, former NHL referee and ESPN rules analyst Dave Jackson said, “There is a double minor for attempted butt-ending. If they cannot determine absolutely that the stick hit him but the attempt was made, then the double minor is the proper call.”
Proper, maybe, but it’s a rare one. According to the NHL, this was only the fourth time a double minor has been called for butt-ending since 2000 (regular season and playoffs).
The Wild didn’t generate much on the first power play, but on the back half of the double minor, rookie Danila Yurov redirected Brock Faber’s shot for his first career playoff goal. The Wild carried that 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
Speaking on ESPN at the break, McCarron was asked by P.K. Subban about the play.
“You played against Josh,” he replied. “He’s a dirty player. He’s always been. Surprised he only got away with a four-minute. I’m happy he’s still in the game.”
