How New NHL Rule Changes For Upcoming Season Could Impact Bruins

Training camp kicked off this week and while most of Bruins nation is focused on which prospects can make the club in Boston and whether or not general manager Don Sweeney and restricted free agent Jeremy Swayman will reach a new contract before the Dec. 1 deadline, the NHL instituted several new rules, as well as changes to existing rules.

With the Bruins’ first preseason games set for Sunday, it will be the first chance to see some of the NHL’s rule changes for the 2024-25 season in action. The general managers proposed and voted on several changes in March, but the recommendations must pass the NHL’s competition committee and the league’s Board of Governors for final approval before being made official

The NHL season opens on Oct. 8 with the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers hosting the Bruins. With the season around the corner, the NHL’s Public Relations team released a reminder video of what changes are going into effect.

One of the biggest amendments is an expansion on Rule 38 — Coach’s Challenge. In the update, a coach now can challenge whether or not a puck was deflected off a player, the glass or boards to take down or rescind a delay of game penalty for a puck out of play. If the challenge is unsuccessful the team will receive an additional minor penalty, as explained in the video.

A second rule that had a change made to it is Rule 63.8 for when a net is dislodged during play. In a slight update, the new implementation closed the loophole that allowed for the defensive teams to change lines when a goaltender accidentally knocked the net off its moorings during play.

“The defensive team cannot make a line change in the event a defensive player, including the goaltender, accidentally displaces the net,” the NHL video explains. “Previously, the no line change rule only applied to a defensive skater and not the goaltender accidentally displacing the net.”

Face offs are often a point of contention for fans when their team’s center is tossed out of the circle. A new change to the NHL’s face off procedures actually levels the playing field so to speak after an icing call is made. The offensive center will now receive one warning (same as the defensive player) for a faceoff violation, instead of being removed from the dot. A second violation would result in a bench minor penalty.

A new rule implemented this season is a direct result of a linesman being injured last season after being cut by a skate blade of a player sitting on the bench boards waiting for a line change. Players can still sit on the boards but their skates cannot hang over the ice and need to remain on the bench side.

“The referee will now provide the offending team, coach and players with one warning regarding players sitting on the board with their skates exposed during play,” the video explained. “After one warning, the team precipitating the warning will be issued a bench minor penalty.”

The final rule change is regarding when a goalie is removed from a game for mandatory medical evaluation. The rule change allows the replacement goalie a “brief warm-up” period. Although no specific time period was provided, it appears it will be up to the referee’s discretion.

The Bruins could see some or all of these rule changes in action when they host the New York Rangers in preseason action on Sunday night at TD Garden. Face off for the Original Six matchup is slated for 5 p.m. ET and you can watch the game on NESN.