Maple Leafs embrace NHL’s new casual-dress rules ahead of season opener

As part of the new collective bargaining agreement, the NHL and NHLPA agreed to formalize that the players don’t have to get dressed up in suits ahead of their games, a long-standing tradition that many fans appreciated as society increasingly dresses down.

Per the NHL, “Clubs are not permitted to propose any rules concerning Player dress code,†adding that, “Players are required to dress in a manner that is consistent with contemporary fashion norms.â€

This is an update on the expiring CBA, which required players to wear “jackets, ties and dress pants to all Club games and while traveling to and from such games unless otherwise specified by the Head Coach or General Manager.â€

The looser dress-code rules were expedited to take effect before this season, ahead of the new CBA kicking in for the 2026-27 season.

“Guys can wear whatever they want,†Maple Leafs forward William Nylander told the Canadian Press. “What they feel comfortable wearing into games.â€

So, as the NHL season gets rolling, we got our first glimpses of what the players would actually wear before the games. Would it be all shorts and hoodies? Close.

The Toronto Maple Leafs social team documented the walk-in kits of their players ahead of Wednesday’s season opener against the Montreal Canadiens, and it was fairly revealing.

Has a trend arrived for good?

If what Leafs captain Auston Matthews wore is any indication, suits are on their way to being a thing of the past.

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