New rule changes set to impact the Boston Bruins this season
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.
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.
"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
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 25 | 34 ANSWERS New rule changes set to impact the Boston Bruins this season Do you think these ruler changes make sense for the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 19 | 55.9 % |
| No | 15 | 44.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
