The league announced four rules changes for next season:

The term "gross misconduct'' was eliminated. Any act that would have been assessed a gross misconduct penalty will receive a game misconduct penalty.

A player may now be awarded a penalty shot if he has a clear breakaway outside the defensive zone, that is anywhere in the neutral zone or attacking zone. Previously, a penalty shot was awarded only when a player was interfered with on the attacking side of the red line.

Referees were given discretion to assess a major penalty and a game misconduct when an injury results from an act of interference. Previously, only a minor penalty could be called.

All faceoffs will be conducted at one of the nine faceoff dots. Previously, there were instances, such as when a puck left the playing surface, that caused faceoffs to occur on unmarked ice.