The Devils honored Brenden Dillon during Monday’s pre-game warmups by ditching their helmets for hats that read “1,000 Dilly” to celebrate the defenseman’s 1,000th game.

Here’s the downside: They may have violated a league rule in doing so.

According to Rule 9.6, which was implemented in 2023-24: It is “mandatory for all players who entered the NHL beginning with the 2019-2020 season or later to wear their helmet during pre-game warm-up.

“To be clear, all players who entered the League prior to the 2019-2020 season and who are currently playing are exempt from this mandate.”

The Devils have six players — Dawson Mercer, Paul Cotter, Arseny Gritsyuk, Cody Glass, Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec — who made their debuts during or after the 2019-20 season.

NJ Advance Media has reached out t

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