You may have missed it, but on September 18, the NHL announced a couple of new rule changes that will become effective for the 2024-25 season.
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For fans and people who follow Columbus, anything that has to do with rules is a touchy subject. After all, everything knows what the 614 Rule is, right?
Let’s take a look at the new rule changes.
The rules that are changing 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).
For Rule 38, coaches were forbidden to ask for reviews when a player accidentally or intentionally shoots the puck over the glass. With the change, the play can now be challenged, and like all other coach’s challenges, a failed attempt to overturn the call will result in a minor penalty. The two penalties will be served consectively, giving the opponent a 4- minute 5-on-4 power play.
The rest of Rule 38 remains unchanged, so judgment calls can’t be challenged, and coaches can not use their challenges to get missed calls reviewed.
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.
The league has now added goalies to the list of possible offenders, meaning if the goalie shoots across the crease to make a save like Daniil Tarasov did in the above video to make a save and the net comes off, their teammates will not be allowed a change at the next stoppage of play.
Rule 76.4 applies to the face-off procedures after an icing call. Before the rule change, it was only for defensive centers who improperly set up to give their teammates some extra time to get themselves ready or to take a breather. That player was given one warning before being assessed a minor penalty.
Now, the rule applies to both offensive and defensive centermen. Both centers are allowed one warning before being shown the box.
Rule 75.2 applies to players who sit on the boards awaiting a line change, typically with their skates hanging over the boards into the playing area.
This rule change seems like it should have always been there. Skates are extremely sharp and any player or ref skating by could easily be cut. This rule changed to keep everyone on the ice safe and to keep skate blades from being exposed during live game action. The teams will first get a warning and then a minor penalty if they do it a second time.
Last season, a linesman was cut by a skate blade of a player dangling his feet while waiting for a change. Players can still sit on the boards, but their skates need to be on the bench side. Skateblade cuts hit a little too close to home for Columbus, as last season Adam Fantilli was cut on his calf by a skateblade.
Rule 8.2 is new and way past time to be implemented. Goalies will now be allowed to warm up after the starter leaves due to injury. Backup goalies are forced to go in cold, and this has been a constant hot topic for years and years.
This change may be the most important change of them all. How many times have we seen a CBJ goalie leave injured, and the backup gets shelled for the first three or four minutes because the other team wants to take advantage of the situation?
There will be no set time limit for the goalie coming in to warm up, as it will be up to the referees.
These rule changes, although small, will not go unnoticed when they are enforced. The coach’s challenge and the backup goalie warmup seem to be the rules that will make the most impact.
What do you think of the rule changes? Please share your thoughts on our forum.
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