Devils’ Helmetless Warmup Draws NHL Warning, But Honors a Milestone
The New Jersey Devils made headlines Monday night-not for a highlight-reel goal or a dramatic finish, but for something that happened before the puck even dropped. During warmups, the entire team skated without helmets, a move that earned them a warning from the NHL for violating league rules.
Now, before jumping to conclusions, this wasn’t about superstition or trying to shake off a slump. Unlike recent moves by the Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks-who went helmetless in warmups in hopes of sparking better results-the Devils’ gesture had deeper meaning. This was about respect.
The team took the ice bareheaded to honor one of their own, a veteran defenseman who had just reached a major milestone: 1,000 career NHL games. That’s no small feat-especially for an undrafted player.
It’s a rare club, and even rarer when you consider the path he took to get there. The gesture was a nod to his toughness, longevity, and the grind it took to reach that number.
But while the tribute was heartfelt, it didn’t sit well with the league office. Under NHL Rule 9.6, players who entered the league after the 2019-20 season are required to wear helmets during pregame warmups.
The rule was put in place for safety reasons, and it’s been enforced consistently. Veterans who joined the league before that cutoff are grandfathered in and can choose to go without.
But for younger players, the rule is mandatory-and that includes several skaters on the Devils' roster.
The league ultimately issued a warning to the team rather than a fine or further discipline. A light touch, all things considered, but a clear reminder that even symbolic gestures have to stay within the bounds of league policy.
Unfortunately for the Devils, the night didn’t play out the way they’d hoped. The celebration was cut short when their honored defenseman was forced to leave the game in the first period after a fight with Dmitri Voronkov. He returned briefly in the second but didn’t play in the third.
To make matters worse, the Devils dropped their second straight game at home-this after starting the season with a 10-game unbeaten streak in regulation at the Prudential Center. That early home dominance has taken a hit, and the team will be looking to regroup quickly.
Next up: a matchup with the Dallas Stars. The Devils will need to find their footing again-and this time, expect them to keep their helmets on during warmups.