New rule changes set to impact the Boston Bruins this season

PUBLICATION

Joshua Deeds
September 25, 2024 (10:22 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The NHL's training camps are fired up and storylines are already persisting for which Bruins prospect will make the NHL lineup opening night.

All the while, the Bruins will have to contend with Jeremy Swayman and the contract negotiations that make every day feel like Groundhog Day for fans. We must persist.

The NHL is doing some sneaky stuff, as they have changed some rules for the league which the Board of Governors must approve before they become official.

Many of these new rules were voted on and approved by General Managers across the league. But we didn't get the details regarding the rule changes until recently.

It was only recently that NHL Public Relations released a video detailing several of the rule changes going into effect, once the season starts.

This will take effect on October 8th, the day when the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers will take on our Boston Bruins.

One of the rule changes going into effect will change how Coach's challenges happen, and what situations they can use it in.

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.

This seems like a rule that could be a double-edged sword, as teams can be penalized for using the coach's challenge too often. This means the Bruins will need an elite video staff to make sure they don't take unnecessary minor penalties to catch where the referees missed a call.

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."

Honestly, this does make sense, as it gives the opposition a fresh line of defensemen, while the team with possession has continued to ice the same unit.

These rule changes aren't really horrendous, but the red flag for me is how the league is attempting to cut down the use of coach's challenges in my opinion. It may slow the game, but accuracy is paramount.

Source: NESN
How New NHL Rule Changes For Upcoming Season Could Impact Bruins