NHL Rule Changes for 2025-26 Season: Confirmed Updates, Proposed Tweaks, and What to Expect
In search of a quick breakdown of the NHL rule changes for the 2025-26 season? Look no further! From salary cap tweaks to playoff roster rules, there are some important changes coming that every hockey fan should know about. Plus, a few proposals are still on the table that could shape the way the game is played in the near future. Here’s a breakdown of what’s confirmed, what’s being discussed, and what it all means for the upcoming season.
Before we jump in, here’s a quick snapshot of all the home openers that are rapidly approaching. Can you feel the excitement in the air?!
Changes in & around 2025-26 Season
Some of these kick in right away; others are set for 2026-27.
| Topic | What’s Changing |
|---|---|
| Playoff Salary Cap | Teams will need to be salary-cap compliant during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Previously, teams could exceed the cap via LTIR (Long Term Injured Reserve) strategies. This cap enforcement starts in 2025-26. (NHL) |
| LTIR Rules Tightened | The new rules limit how teams can use LTIR to free up cap space in the regular season and then add players before playoffs. There are restrictions so the replacement players/salary won’t exceed that of the injured player. To be more strictly enforced starting in 2025-26 and more fully in the new CBA.(ESPN) |
| Salary Cap Increase | The overall salary cap is rising from US$88 million to US$95.5 million for 2025-26. |
| CBA Extension | NHL and NHLPA have agreed on a four-year CBA extension (through 2029-30). |
| No Major 84-Game Season Yet | While there are reports of increasing the regular season from 82 to 84 games, those changes are expected to start in 2026-27, not 2025-26. |
| Preseason Games Reduced | Under the upcoming CBA terms, preseason schedule will shrink, and teams will have fewer exhibition games. But again, most of that becomes active in 2026-27. |
| Emergency Backup Goalie (EBUG) / Third Goalie Travel | Teams will need a full-time emergency backup goaltender (or third goalie) who travels and practices with the team, rather than relying on local or ad hoc emergency backups. |
| Contract Lengths | Maximum contract lengths are being reduced: for players re-signing with their current team, max is ~7 years; for free agents signing with a new team, shorter (e.g. six) years. |
I searched through reliable NHL sources and couldn’t find any confirmed on-ice (playing rules) changes that are set for the 2025-26 NHL season beyond the ones already in effect for 2024-25. Most of the recent rule changes were announced in 2024 for implementation in 2024-25.
Here’s a summary of what is changing (or was recently changed) and what remains status quo, plus things to watch out for — just in case something gets finalized later.
Already Implemented / Recent Rule Changes (Applicable to 2024-25, likely continuing into 2025-26)
These are the changes that the NHL adopted for the 2024-25 season. Unless there’s a further change announced, they are expected to carry through into 2025-26.
- Coach’s Challenge for delay of game (puck out of play)
A coach can challenge a delay of game minor penalty if the puck deflected off something (player, glass, boards, stick) before going out of play. If the challenge fails, the penalized team gets an additional minor penalty. - Face-off violation warnings after icing
When there is an icing, the offensive center gets a warning (just like the defensive player) for a face-off violation. - No defensive line change following a net displacement caused by goaltender or defending player
Previously, only skater dislodgement triggered this; now also if the defending player (or the goalie) accidentally moves the net, the defensive side may not change players before the ensuing face-off. - Players prohibited from sitting on the boards with skates exposed
They can anticipate changes and sit on the boards, but their skates must stay on the bench side. First violation in a game is a warning, then a bench minor for unsportsmanlike conduct for subsequent infractions.
What Isn’t Confirmed / Things to Watch
- I did not find any announced new official NHL playing-rule changes specifically for 2025-26 beyond the ones above.
- No new coach challenge modifications, no new timing of overtime, no major procedural tweaks have been clearly published as of now that differ from the 2024-25 set.
Here are a number of proposed or under discussion NHL rule changes (or tweaks) that might be implemented in or around 2025-26, if approved. None of these are fully confirmed yet; many are still proposals being vetted by the Competition Committee, GMs, and/or NHL/NHLPA. But these are the ones to watch:
Proposals / Under Discussion
| Proposal | What It Would Change |
|---|---|
| Expansion of Coach’s Challenge | Allow challenges for delay of game penalties when the puck is shot over the glass (from defensive zone), and for certain high-sticking minor penalties when the stick causing the infraction is from the same team (friendly fire). If video shows the infraction didn’t happen as called, the penalty could be removed. GMs have proposed it; being considered by the Competition Committee. |
| Face-Off Locations / Violations After Icing or Other Stoppages | Tweaks to what happens when a player refuses to play the puck (off a hand-pass or high stick), possibly causing a face-off in a closer zone; changes to how face-off violations after icing are handled. |
| Penalty for Players Sitting on Boards with Skates Over Ice | Reinforce/tighten enforcement. Players sitting on boards with exposed skates (waiting for line change) get warned, then bench minor penalties. |
| Review / Penalty for Net Dislodgement / Goalies | Possible rule changes regarding when the net is accidentally dislodged by defenders or goalies — for instance, restricting line changes, or face-offs being done in a certain way when the starter is pulled or the net is knocked off. |
| Clarify Goalie Interference Rules | Although not as fleshed out in proposals, GM meetings and media reports indicate there is interest in refining what is considered goalie interference (to reduce ambiguity and controversial calls). |
| Cut-Resistant Neck Guards / Safety Equipment | Some discussions have floated around mandatory safety gear (e.g. cut-resistant clothing / neck-guards), though it’s not clear how likely this is. |
What Seems Less Likely / Delayed
- The “19-year-old rule” (allowing some 19-year-olds to be sent to AHL without returning to Canadian juniors) is in the recent CBA, but it is not expected to kick in until 2026-27, if agreed with CHL.
- Major structural rules (e.g. changing overtime format, drastically reworking face-offs) don’t appear to be imminent.
And don’t forget — while this isn’t a change in rules, the NHL is sending players back to the Olympics this season, which means we’ll get a mid-season break to watch the best in the world compete for gold. That adds an extra layer of excitement (and a slightly tighter schedule) to an already big year of hockey.
The NHL schedule will pause from February 6 to February 24, 2026 to allow players to participate in the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Need more on what to expect this season? Check out this great video from Jimmy Hockey on some of the key storylines of the offseason as we enter the 2025-26 season. Enjoy!
