The National Hockey League's head office is moving to clamp down on a new, bare-headed trend that began with the Ottawa Senators last week. The league intends to remind teams of the rules after several clubs, inspired by Ottawa, ditched their helmets during pre-game warmups.
The Sin City Spark That Ignited a Trend
The controversy started in Las Vegas on Wednesday, November 26, 2024. Before facing the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena, the Ottawa Senators took to the ice for warmups without their protective headgear. The team, which had lost six consecutive games in Vegas, was looking for a way to change its luck.
The unconventional strategy seemed to work, as the Senators went on to secure a 4-3 shootout victory. Defenceman Jake Sanderson told TSN after the second period that the decision was made casually over a team dinner the night before.
"It was just a little discussion over a team dinner last night," Sanderson said. "We'll see if it happens in the future."
A League-Wide Ripple Effect
The Senators' bucketless warmup did not go unnoticed. The trend quickly spread to other teams across the league.
- On Saturday, November 29, the San Jose Sharks collectively warmed up without helmets before their game in Vegas.
- On Tuesday, December 2, the New Jersey Devils celebrated defenceman Brendan Dillon's 1,000th NHL game by forgoing helmets and wearing baseball caps during their warmup against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
This resurgence of the old-school look has drawn the attention of league officials in New York, who are now tasked with enforcing current safety protocols.
The NHL Rule and the Coming Crackdown
While players once had a choice, the NHL's rule book now states that it is mandatory for all players who entered the league beginning with the 2019-2020 season or later to wear a helmet during pre-game warm-up. Veterans who debuted before that season are exempt from the mandate.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the league's position in an email to Postmedia on Tuesday, December 2. While he stated that the Senators, Sharks, and Devils would not be fined for these specific incidents, the league plans to ensure compliance moving forward.
"We intend to communicate a reminder memo," Daly wrote. The potential penalty for breaking this rule is a fine of $5,000 US for each player who does not comply.
The league's stance highlights the ongoing balance between player expression, team tradition, and the NHL's priority of safety and consistent rule enforcement. The coming memo will serve as a clear signal that the helmetless trend, however brief its revival, is officially over.
