The Devils’ heartwarming tribute might have just skirted NHL rules — and fans are buzzing about it.
Before Monday’s faceoff, the New Jersey Devils honored veteran defenseman Brenden Dillon in style. During the pre-game warmups, players swapped their usual helmets for special caps embroidered with the phrase “1,000 Dilly,” celebrating Dillon’s impressive milestone of 1,000 NHL games. It was a touching gesture meant to show respect for a well-traveled player — but there’s a catch.
The move may have unintentionally violated a league regulation. According to NHL Rule 9.6, implemented during the 2023-24 season, any player who entered the league in the 2019-2020 season or later must wear a helmet during pre-game warmups. Veterans who joined before that period are exempt from this rule. In short, younger players can’t legally shed their helmets before the puck drops — even for a tribute.
Here’s where it potentially gets sticky for New Jersey: six members of the team — Dawson Mercer, Paul Cotter, Arseny Gritsyuk, Cody Glass, Luke Hughes, and Simon Nemec — all debuted after 2019, making them subject to this requirement. Their participation in the helmet-free celebration could technically count as a rule infraction.
NJ Advance Media has reached out to the NHL for clarification. As of publication time, the league has not issued any official response, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Meanwhile, fans might recall that a similar controversy surfaced days earlier when players from the Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks skipped helmets during warmups. The NHL’s reaction then wasn’t punishment — just a firm reminder. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly explained via email to Bay Area News Group that the league planned to remind clubs about the collective bargaining agreement’s safety rules concerning warmup helmets. “I don’t anticipate that San Jose will be singled out or disciplined,” Daly noted.
At the same time, things on the ice were anything but calm. Monday’s Devils-Blue Jackets game at the Prudential Center turned physical fast, loaded with scrums, hard hits, and more than a few gloves hitting the ice. The heated contest sat locked at 2-2 heading into the third period.
Reporter Ryan Novozinsky, who covers the Devils for NJ Advance Media, shared these updates. A graduate of Oklahoma State University with a degree in Sports Media, Novozinsky grew up in Allentown and continues to follow every twist in the Devils’ season.
But here’s the real question: Should the NHL crack down on harmless, morale-building gestures like this — or do rules meant for player safety need to be enforced no matter the intent? Fans are divided, and the debate isn’t cooling anytime soon. What’s your take — harmless tribute or clear-cut violation?
