The Rule Book isn’t just a five-star romance novel by Sarah Adams. The rules of each sport are crucial to gameplay and consistency. And with the NHL regular season starting in North America this week, it’s important that everyone be aware of the offseason rule changes made by the league. The NHL “rule book” is extensive and, no, you do not need to know every rule to be a true fan. But, it’s helpful to be aware of some of the new rules to avoid confusion.
Courtesy of the NHL
What is perceived as the most jarring rule change is the edit to Rule 38.2, which covers situations that warrant a coach’s challenge. Starting this season, coaches of the offending team may call for a review to take down a delay of game penalty when the puck has been pushed out of play. Under Rule 63.2, if a player deliberately removes the puck from play, a two minute minor penalty for delay of game may be assessed. With the updated rule, a coach may challenge the call to initiate a review by the officials but only to rescind the call. Coaches may not challenge an official’s judgment call nor can they challenge a missed call. Officials will then review the play to determine if the puck was truly ejected from play by the offending team. A failed challenge will result in a four minute double minor for delay of game.
A relatively minor change to Rule 63.8 was also made this offseason. The rule previously stated that when a defensive skater dislodges their net, the team may not make a line change. The modification now includes goalies—so if any defensive player, including the goalie, dislodges his net, the team may not perform a line change.
Courtesy of NewJerseyDevils.com
A change to Rule 76.4, thought to have been changed due to optics, affects face-off procedures following an icing call. The offensive center in a face-off following an icing will now be afforded one warning for a violation, instead of being tossed from the circle, the same as the defensive center in previous seasons. Any subsequent violation by the same center will result in a two minute bench minor penalty for delay of game.
Regarding player safety, an update to Rule 75.3 has been provided. Players will be assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for sitting on the boards with their skates out prior to a change. Formerly, players would be able to sit on the boards with one or both skates on the rink side of the wall before making a change. However, due to an injury sustained last season, players may still sit on the boards, but must keep their skates on the bench side of the wall. Officials will provide teams with a warning for the first infraction and will remind the non-offending team of the rule as well. Any following infractions will result in a two minute minor penalty.
Finally, a needed but vague adjustment to Rule 8.2. When a goaltender is removed from play for medical evaluation, the backup goalie will be allowed a warm-up period. This allowance only applies when a keeper is injured and will not apply for performance-based changes. The warm-up period does not have a defined time limit and appears to be at the officials’ discretion.
It will be interesting to see if these rule changes will be truly impactful and how they influence the game once the puck drops in North America for the 2024-25 NHL season.
Do you like these changes? What rules would you want to see in the league next season?
The full 2024-25 NHL rulebook can be found here.
Edited by Breanna Ebisch
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