The National Hockey League says it’s adding up to ten new rules for this season.
1. Goaltender’s Restricted Area
The trapezoid will be expanded by two feet from the goal post on both sides of the net.
2. Game Misconduct Penalties
Starting this year, clipping, charging, elbowing, interference, kneeing, head-butting and butt-ending will be deemed the same severity as boarding and checking from behind, where a player that gets two such penalties in a game will recieve a game misconduct.
3. Penalty Shot
The ‘Spin-O-Rama’ move is no longer allowed during both penalty shots and shootouts.
4. Video Goal Judge
The NHL’s “situation room” in Toronto will now have more discretion when it comes to deciding goals, as well as offer more guidance to officials on plays involving a blown whistle.
As well, video review will need to see a more defined kicking motion before making that ruling on a potential goal.
5. Tripping
Under the new rules, a defending player that dives to knock the puck off an opponents stick will still get a minor for tripping, even if he manages to hit the puck first.
However, in a situation where the trip interrupts a breakaway, the defender will take a penalty instead of drawing a penalty shot, if they manage to make contact with the puck first.
6. Diving / Embellishment
The NHL has now added fines for players given diving or embellishment penalties, for any incident after the first offence.
As well, coaches will be fined after the third offence.
| Incident # | Player Fine(s) | Head Coach Fine(s) | ||
| 1 | Warning | N/A | ||
| 2 | $2,000 | N/A | ||
| 3 | $3,000 | N/A | ||
| 4 | $4,000 | $2,000 | ||
| 5 | $5,000 | $3,000 | ||
| 6 | $5,000 | $4,000 | ||
| 7 | $5,000 | $5,000 | ||
| 8 | $5,000 | $5,000 | ||
7. Face-offs
Under the new rules, players taking the draw in the defensive zone after an icing call will not be waived out of the circle for a face-off violation.
Instead they’ll be given a warning, and a two minute penalty if it happens again.
The change is to avoid teams stalling after being called for icing.
8. Overtime
Unlike seasons in the past, teams will switch ends of the ice before the overtime period during regular season games.
As well, the ice will get a dry scrape from the zamboni before OT, not just the shootout.
And coaches will no longer be required to submit a list of their first three shootout shooters to officials.
9. Puck Out of Bounds
This season, more face-offs will stay in the offensive zone than ever before.
Shots by the attacking team that:
– break the glass
– go out off the side of the net
– go out off the boards or glass
– go out off a teammate
– get wedged in the net
will all result in the face-off staying in the offensive zone.
10. Rink
The following change will be brought in during the pre-season, and become permanent if the league and PA approve it.
The hash marks on each of the circles will be widened from three feet apart to five feet, seven inches apart, which are international markings.
