On September 18, the NHL announced a handful of rule changes that will become effective for the 2024-25 season.
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The affected rules include Rule 38 (Coach’s Challenge), Rule 63.8 (No line change – net displaced), Rule 76.4 (Face-off Procedure following an icing), Rule 75.2 (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), and Rule 8.2 (Injured players).
First, under Rule 38, coaches were not allowed to request reviews when a player accidentally or intentionally shoots the puck over the glass. Now, the play can be challenged, and like all other coach’s challenges, a failed attempt to overturn the call will result in a minor penalty.
Additionally, the remainder of the rule remains untouched, so judgment calls are unchallengeable, and coaches can not use their challenges to get missed calls reviewed.
Second, Rule 63.8 states that the offending team that dislodges its net will not be allowed a line change at the next stoppage of play. However, the rule only applied to forwards and defensemen.
Now, the league added goalies to the list of possible offenders, meaning if they slide post to post to make a save and the net comes off, their teammates will not be permitted a change at the next whistle.
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Third, Rule 76.4 applied to face-off procedures following an icing call. Previously, the rule only applied to defensive centers who improperly set up to buy their teammates a few extra seconds of rest. That player was awarded one warning before being assessed a minor penalty.
With the revamp, the rule now applies to both offensive and defensive centermen. Each is allowed one warning before a minor penalty.
Fourth, Rule 75.2 will apply to eager players who sit on the boards awaiting a line change, which could result in a minor penalty for their team.
The league is implementing the rule to keep everyone on the ice safe and prevent players’ skates from being exposed during game action. The offending team will first receive a warning and then a minor penalty.
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Finally, backup goalies can rejoice. After decades of coming in cold from the bench, changes to Rule 8.2 allow a new goalie to be provided with a warm up before the game resumes.
Often, a goalie may get hurt late in the second period or at some point during the third period, forcing their partners to come in and face live action after sitting for more than an hour or two since warm-ups.
It may be a minor change, but a welcome one, as teams often take advantage of a cold goalie by testing their new opponent by firing any and everything at the net, hoping to catch them off guard.
Are there any rules you hope to see changed or updated in the coming seasons? Let us know in the comments.
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