Helmet Rule Creates Subtle Divide in Maple Leafs Locker Room - Here's Why It Matters
There’s a tradition in hockey that’s as old as the game itself: the rookie lap. A solo skate around the rink before warmups, usually without a helmet, soaking in the moment.
It’s a rite of passage, a quiet celebration of making it to the show. But thanks to a relatively under-the-radar NHL rule, those moments are now off-limits for a growing number of players - including a sizable chunk of the Toronto Maple Leafs roster.
The NHL’s Rule 9.6 is clear: any player who entered the league in the 2019-20 season or later must wear a helmet during pregame warmups. No exceptions. That means if you’re a rookie or even a few years into your career, the league expects you to keep the bucket on - whether you’re taking your first lap or honoring a milestone.
The rule came back into the spotlight recently when the New Jersey Devils, in a show of solidarity for Brendan Dillon’s 1,000th NHL game, took the ice for warmups without helmets. It was a nod to the old-school, a way to mark a veteran’s big moment.
But not everyone was allowed to join in. Several Devils players, too young to qualify for the exemption, were technically in violation of the rule.
The NHL noticed - and they weren’t thrilled.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed that a league-wide memo is on the way, reminding all 32 teams that Rule 9.6 is still very much in effect. The message: tradition is nice, but safety - and consistency - comes first.
How This Hits the Maple Leafs
For the Maple Leafs, the rule has a very real impact. Ten players on the current roster fall under the post-2019 rule, meaning they can’t take warmups without a helmet - even if they want to. That list includes:
Goaltenders:
- Dennis Hildeby (Debut: 2024-25)
- Joseph Woll (Debut: 2020-21)
Defensemen:
- Simon Benoit (Debut: 2021-22)
Forwards:
- Easton Cowan (Debut: 2025-26)
- Dakota Joshua (Debut: 2020-21)
- Matthew Knies (Debut: 2022-23)
- Steven Lorentz (Debut: 2020-21)
- Matias Maccelli (Debut: 2022-23)
- Bobby McMann (Debut: 2022-23)
- Nick Robertson (Debut: 2020-21)
That’s a significant portion of the team - and it includes some of the Leafs’ most promising young talent. For them, the helmet stays on, no matter the occasion. Whether it’s Cowan’s first NHL game or a teammate’s milestone night, the rule doesn’t bend.
Meanwhile, veterans like Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and William Nylander - all of whom debuted before the 2019-20 cutoff - are free to warm up helmetless if they choose. It’s a small thing, but in a sport built on team unity and shared rituals, it creates a subtle divide.
Tradition vs. Safety
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about rebellion. Players understand the risks.
Modern helmets are lighter, stronger, and better designed than ever before. The NHL, with billions invested in its stars, wants to protect that investment.
And most players - young or old - respect that.
But hockey is also a sport deeply rooted in tradition. The no-helmet warmup isn’t just about comfort; it’s a symbolic moment. Whether it’s a rookie’s first skate or a nod to a teammate’s longevity, these are the little things that build chemistry in a locker room.
That’s why the league’s reminder memo is timely. It’s not just about enforcing the rule - it’s about getting ahead of potential friction. Because while no one’s starting a revolt over warmup attire, the optics of a team split between those who can and can’t take part in a shared ritual aren’t ideal.
Where It Goes From Here
Don’t expect the NHL to backtrack. The helmet mandate is here to stay, and there’s good reason for it. But this situation does highlight the balancing act the league faces: preserving the traditions that make hockey special, while continuing to evolve and prioritize player safety.
For the Maple Leafs, it’s one more wrinkle in a season full of storylines. And for the young players on the roster, it’s a reminder that even the smallest details - like a helmet during warmups - can carry a little extra meaning in the NHL.