2026-27 NHL Rulebook
Download the 2026-27 NHL Rulebook
Rule Changes for 2026-27:
- Neck protection required for new players entering the league (9.8)
NHL Rules Articles
Ask The Ref: Habs/Lightning – Can a Player Carry Two Sticks?
Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard returned a stick to goaltender Jake Allen, while still holding his own. Is this legal, or did the refs miss it?
Canes’ Andersen Flagged for Stick Tape Violation
The Anaheim Ducks caught Carolina’s Frederik Andersen red-handed — or red-stick-taped — when they called him out for illegal tape on his stick
NHL Rulebook: Distinct Kicking Motion (37.4, 49.2, 78.5)
The NHL rulebook calls for goals to be disallowed when propelled into the net by a ‘distinct kicking motion’ — but what exactly does that mean? Here’s a look at the rule, along with the NHL’s video explanation.
NHL Cross-Checking Crackdown Explained
The NHL’s cross-checking crackdown is coming. Here’s the video from the league to explain what’s changing for 2021-22.
Under Review: Checking on Vasilevskiy’s Goalie Gear
From the Ref Mailbag: Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy looks huge out there. Can teams request a measurement of goaltender equipment?
NHL Rule Changes for 2020-21 Season
The NHL rulebook has been updated for the 2020-21 season with only one update: a change to the offside rule.
NHL Modifies Offside Rule to Extend Blueline to Vertical Plane
The NHL has modified the offside rule to allow a player’s skate to be off the ice provided it has not cleared the vertical plane of the blue line.
Stars’ Khudobin Busted For Illegal Stick Tape
Dallas Stars goaltender Anton Khudobin had to make an unplanned equipment change after his stick tape was found to be illegal.
The Offside Rule Hasn’t Changed… Yet.
The NHL may be tweaking the rule for offside plays, but that change hasn’t taken effect just yet.
NHL Rules on Legality of Lacrosse-Style Goals, High Sticks
The NHL recently sent a memo to officials regarding the legality of lacrosse-style goals in the National Hockey League. Here’s where they fit in the NHL rulebook:
