How will each new NHL rule impact hockey played in 2024-25 season?

The NHL announced rule changes ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season. The league always looks to change or add new rules to make the game better and that was the case this time as well.

The league announced four new rule changes, and although they all are minor, they could play a role in deciding games, as some will give a team a power play.

How will each new NHL rule impact hockey?

Rule 38.2 (Situations Subject to Coach’s Challenge)

The first rule change the NHL made is a change to a coach's challenge.

In the new rule, a coach can now challenge a puck over glass penalty. But coaches cannot challenge for there to be a penalty, rather they can do so for a penalty to be taken off the board.

A puck-over-glass penalty is when a player puts the puck over the glass only in their defensive zone. But coaches will now have the ability to challenge it if they think it was tipped by an opposing player.

The challenge can take a penalty off the board, which will change the game, as a team will get a power play taken away.

Rule 63.8 (Line Change Following Dislodged Net)

This rule states if a goalie knocks the net off in the defensive zone, the defensive team won't be able to make line changes.

No longer can goalies knock the net off to get tired bodies off the ice if they have been trapped in the zone for a long time, which could result in the offensive team getting a goal by playing against tired players.

Rule 76.4 (Face-Off Procedure – Centers)

In this rule change, following an icing, the offensive center will receive a warning from refs for a face-off violation. Previously, they were immediately kicked out from the draw, so now it gives the offensive team a better chance to win the draw and keep tired bodies on the ice.

Rule 75.3 (Unsportsmanlike Conduct – Player Sitting on Boards)

The final rule change by the NHL states that refs will now give a warning to the bench for a player sitting on the boards waiting to make a change. After one warning, if another player on the team does it, a penalty will be called, giving the opposing team a power play and a chance to score.