NHL Enforces Safety Rule Following Linesman Injury in Game
To prevent similar injuries, players are now prohibited from sitting on the boards while waiting to join the ice.
The League justified its decision by highlighting the safety risks involved with players sitting on the boards, emphasizing the importance of safety over tactical advantages.
Per Michael Russo:
"Effective immediately, players can't sit on boards awaiting line changes. A team will get warning first, then refs will be instructed to apply penalty that's already in rulebook. NHL feels it's not good hockey + dangerous. Linesman was cut by skate in Wild-WPG game by a Jet"
NHL General Managers Tackle Key Topics at Annual Meeting, Including Possible Overtime Changes
The conversation also included the overtime format, but no definitive changes have been announced yet. Let's hope they pursue these discussions the next time they convey.