Why do 4 NHL arenas have a solid red center line when the rulebook says it is not allowed?

[Fenway]

We had an interesting trivia question on HF Sportsbook last night concerning this.

For nearly 70 years the NHL painted the Red Line in a combination of the colors red and white because of black and white television.

In recent years several NHL rinks have elected to paint a solid Red Line.

The answer is 4

source FF | Center Ice

The Bruins were the first to do so in 2015.

Obviously black and white television is no longer a factor but according to the 2018-19 NHL Rulebook the center line should have a distinctive pattern.

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/en/v3/ext/rules/2018-2019-NHL-rulebook.pdf

Can you imagine the fun if a visiting coach playing in Boston, Sunrise, St. Louis or Vancouver signals the officials and demands a penalty over an illegal player surface?

It is in the rulebook

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Click to read more...

 

[Barrie22]

It doesn't say it has to be the patterned red line. Just that it has to be distinguishable from the blue lines (red paint vs blue paint does that). And it shall have a pattern if they want to.

 

[Machinehead]

I like when teams put cute little designs in there

 

[Syckle78]

It doesn't say it has to be the patterned red line. Just that it has to be distinguishable from the blue lines (red paint vs blue paint does that). And it shall have a pattern if they want to.

Might want to reread it. No where do the words if you want appear.

 

[mike14]

It doesn't say it has to be the patterned red line. Just that it has to be distinguishable from the blue lines (red paint vs blue paint does that). And it shall have a pattern if they want to.

"Regular interval markings" sounds pretty much like a pattern to me....

 

[MayDay]

It doesn't say it has to be the patterned red line. Just that it has to be distinguishable from the blue lines (red paint vs blue paint does that). And it shall have a pattern if they want to.

Actually OP has a point.

The examples he cites have neither a “distinctive design” (a distinctive color is not the same as a distinctive design), nor regular interval markings. Both of which seem to be mandated by the rule book.

I would make an inquiry to the NHL officiating about this.

 

[GeeoffBrown]

I guess the big logo in the center probably counts enough as distinguishing the red line from the blue lines.

Plus, as you said, no one has black and white TV anymore. This is like one of those old rules that people don't care enough to enforce. Like, how you can't carry a duck across the street in Topeka, Kansas. (made up law but you get the point)

 

[Mickey Marner]

Up until about a month ago it was illegal to challenge someone to duel and fraudulently pretend to practise witchcraft in Canada. A lot of obsolete rules/laws have lasted a long time because no one gives a shit.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

I would make an inquiry to the NHL officiating about this.

Lol. Talk about pedantry...

 

[Master P]

I actually think teams should be able to add a design if they feel like it. I remember liking the blue lines during the all star game last year.

 

[karnige]

OP I think has a beef. interesting

 

[viceroy]

Well for the longest time not all NHL arenas had the same size rink so I guess that's progress?

 

[NOTENOUGHJTCGOALS]

Up until about a month ago it was illegal to challenge someone to duel and fraudulently pretend to practise witchcraft in Canada. A lot of obsolete rules/laws have lasted a long time because no one gives a ****.

It is now legal to challenge someone to a duel?

 

[Ceremony]

I actually think teams should be able to add a design if they feel like it. I remember liking the blue lines during the all star game last year.

This would pair really well with the 144p cameras they have at the blue lines for reviewing offside calls

 

[BruinsFan37]

They're skirting the rules (I think).

All the rule book says is that "regular interval markings of a uniform distinctive design".

In the case of the solid line rinks the center dot is the "interval marker".

Also even if there are some black and white TVs out there (I wouldn't be shocked if there were a few), the much larger center ice logo used nowadays makes it a lot more obvious where center ice is vs. the "old style" patterned line.

 

[TheStroker]

Interesting OP. But also the nerdiest thing ever.

 

[StLHokie]

It's not solid red, all 4 have a blue faceoff dot at the midpoint. The pattern is red-blue-red

 

[SharksCyclops]

Interesting OP. But also the nerdiest thing ever.

My sentiments exactly, tell me why teams aren't following a rule that I had no idea about until reading the post. We demand answers, I guess.

 

[Clamshells]

Technically, the red segments are regular interval markings, and it is readily distinguished from the blue lines.

 

[Derfel]

Boston's red line used to be patterned...

 

[SharksCyclops]

They're skirting the rules (I think).

All the rule book says is that "regular interval markings of a uniform distinctive design".

In the case of the solid line rinks the center dot is the "interval marker".

Also even if there are some black and white TVs out there (I wouldn't be shocked if there were a few), the much larger center ice logo used nowadays makes it a lot more obvious where center ice is vs. the "old style" patterned line.

After reading the rule a bit more, your response readily argues in favor of the 4 teams center lines. Everything there distinguishes it from the two blue lines, and has intervals. I've put my pitchfork to the side for now.

 

[Barrie22]

Actually OP has a point.

The examples he cites have neither a “distinctive design” (a distinctive color is not the same as a distinctive design), nor regular interval markings. Both of which seem to be mandated by the rule book.

I would make an inquiry to the NHL officiating about this.

Nothing in that rule states anything needs to be manadated to be done a specific way.

A red square is still distinguishable from a blue square that is all that is needed in that rule posted.

 

[HasbeenHallzy]

Up until about a month ago it was illegal to challenge someone to duel and fraudulently pretend to practise witchcraft in Canada. A lot of obsolete rules/laws have lasted a long time because no one gives a ****.

That whole witchcraft thing is apparently something some people do care about

Canada's last witch trial? Woman charged 2 days before law erased from books | CBC News

Haha

 

[Bando]

I guess the big logo in the center probably counts enough as distinguishing the red line from the blue lines.

Plus, as you said, no one has black and white TV anymore. This is like one of those old rules that people don't care enough to enforce. Like, how you can't carry a duck across the street in Topeka, Kansas. (made up law but you get the point)

Obsolete rule!? Don't care enough to enforce!? My god if someone walked a duck across my street... demand the Death penalty.

 

[8LX7psQ]

Up until about a month ago it was illegal to challenge someone to duel and fraudulently pretend to practise witchcraft in Canada. A lot of obsolete rules/laws have lasted a long time because no one gives a ****.

It's now illegal to hurt feelings in Canada though.