The National Hockey League (NHL) recently announced a new set of rule changes ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season, check out more about them and their impact below
Each year, the league is always looking to change or add new rules to further improve the game.
National Hockey League (NHL) 2024-2025 season rules changes list and new rule explained
While the four new set of rule changes are all minor, they could reportedly have major impact in games. Check out below how each of the new NHL rules will impact hockey.
Rule 38.2 (Situations Subject to Coachโs Challenge)
The first rule change that the NHL introduced is a change in the coachโs challenge. As per the new rule, a coach can now challenge a puck over glass penalty. However, coaches will not be allowed to challenge for a penalty but instead take a penalty off the board. A puck-over-glass penalty generally comes in play when a player puts the puck over the glass in their defensive zone.
Following the new rule change, coaches can now challenge it if they think an opposing player tipped it. Coaches can take a penalty off the board using the challenge, which will significantly change the game, as teams can even get a power play taken away.
Rule 63.8 (Line Change Following Dislodged Net)
According to this rule change, the defensive team cannot make line changes if a goalie knocks the net off in the defensive zone. Goalies often knock the net off to get tired bodies off the ice if they have been trapped in the zone for a long time. This means that offensive teams can now get a goal by playing against tired players.
Rule 76.4 (Face-Off Procedure โ Centers)
This new rule change states that the offensive center will receive a warning for a face-off violation after an icing. Before the change, refs immediately kicked out offensive centers from the draw. However, with the new change, the offensive team now has a better chance to win the draw while keeping tired bodies on the ice.
Rule 75.3 (Unsportsmanlike Conduct โ Player Sitting on Boards)
The final NHL rule change states that refs can now give a warning to the bench for any player sitting on the boards and waiting to make a change. After the ref issues one warning, if another player repeats the offence, the ref can call a penalty. This means that the opposing team can use a power play and use it as a chance to score.