NHL Alert: Helmets Now Required During Warmups for Every Team!

The NHL is putting teams on notice about a growing trend: warmups without helmets. This practice breaks league rules, and deputy commissioner Bill Daly is stepping in to remind everyone that helmets are required for players who joined the NHL after the 2019-2020 season.

Recently, the Ottawa Senators showed up for warmups without helmets during a game against the Vegas Golden Knights. They wanted to shake off a six-game losing streak at T-Mobile Arena. Forward Shane Pinto mentioned that the decision was made at a team dinner. “It was pretty cool to do,” he said. The Senators ended up winning that game 4-3 in a shootout.

The San Jose Sharks also tried the no-helmet warmup. They had lost five consecutive games in Vegas but didn’t see the same success. Forward Will Smith said it was just a fun team choice: “It was Saturday night in Vegas; I think all the guys were pretty easy about it.”

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils went a different route. They wore hats instead of helmets during warmups to celebrate defenseman Brenden Dillon’s 1,000th NHL game.

The rule about helmets, known as Rule 9.6, states that players entering the NHL after the 2019-2020 season must wear helmets during warmups. This rule was created in 2022 to enhance player safety, especially for rookies. Notably, some veteran players who were already in the league before the rule was established are exempt.

Safety in sports has been a rising concern in recent years. According to a report from the CDC, concussions in youth sports have increased by 60% over the last decade. The NHL’s move reflects broader trends in protecting players in professional sports.

As hockey fans continue to discuss these warmup antics on social media, they spark conversations about tradition versus safety. Engaging with player safety shows the league is taking steps to protect its players, even as teams try to change their fortunes with creative warmup ideas. This balancing act between tradition and safety is something we’ll likely see more of in the future.



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