After 21 years, one of the NHL's most controversial rules could be nearing the end
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The trapezoid has been part of NHL rinks for more than two decades, but a growing number of hockey minds think its days should be numbered.
Twenty one years ago, the NHL introduced the trapezoid behind the net as part of a wave of rule changes coming out of the 2004-05 lockout.
It quickly picked up the nickname the Brodeur Rule, a nod to Martin Brodeur, the Devils legend who could handle the puck as well as some defensemen.
The idea was simple. Keep goalies from playing the puck in the corners so forechecking teams had a better shot at generating offense.
But two decades later, the numbers tell a different story.
Point production from goalies has barely budged since the rule went in.
Six points remains the modern single season high for a netminder, a mark reached four times, three of them after the trapezoid existed.
During the 2025-26 season, 42 goalies recorded at least one point, the most in a single season since 2005-06, when 48 did it.
Why some think the rule has outlived its purpose
Today's goalies like Frederik Andersen, Alex Nedeljkovic and Jacob Markstrom have built reputations as reliable puck handlers, trapezoid or not.
Meanwhile the rule creates a real safety wrinkle.
Defensemen now have to race back into their own corner to retrieve pucks that a goalie once could have played, often with a forechecker bearing down right behind them.
Without the trapezoid, goalies could help move pucks up and take some of that pressure off their teammates.
What removing it could mean for the game
Getting rid of the trapezoid would not turn back the clock to the run and gun style the NHL was chasing after the lockout.
But it could speed up breakouts, cut down on dangerous forecheck collisions, and give goalies a bit more freedom to do what many of them are already capable of doing.
Whether the NHL actually revisits this rule remains to be seen, but the conversation is picking up steam among fans and analysts alike.
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