Connor McDavid and Mike Babcock's Oilers have found a creative response to the NHL's tighter jersey-tuck enforcement.
Sportsnet's Hockey Central panel highlighted the wrinkle Wednesday, with Elliotte Friedman pointing to Edmonton's fight straps as a possible way around the league's renewed uniform crackdown. Sportsnet.ca
The NHL requires players to begin shifts with their jerseys untucked. If a jersey rides up during play, that's different, but players must fix it before returning for another shift. Sportsnet.ca
The enforcement has already produced a penalty. Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras received a warning and later a minor after beginning another shift with his jersey tucked during the preseason. Sportsnet.ca
That makes Edmonton's apparent workaround worth watching. Rather than simply ignoring the instruction, McDavid and other Oilers appear to have adjusted how their jerseys are secured.
The footage highlighted by the panel shows the fight strap pulled down and attached, allowing the back of the jersey to sit differently around the pants while McDavid moves on the ice.
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Elliotte Friedman spots Oilers' jersey adjustment
Friedman drew attention to the setup as the panel examined whether Edmonton had discovered a loophole within the NHL's enforcement. Sportsnet itself framed the discussion around whether McDavid and the Oilers had found a way around "tuckgate." Sportsnet.ca
It's a small equipment detail, but the timing makes it notable. The league has made uniform compliance an enforcement point entering the 2026-27 season, specifically highlighting jerseys alongside neck protection, helmets and visors. NHL
The fight strap is already part of the uniform setup. What Edmonton appears to be doing is using that existing piece of equipment to control where the jersey sits rather than starting a shift with it deliberately tucked into the pants.
That distinction could become the entire issue. Officials are watching how jerseys are worn when players step onto the ice, and the Oilers' setup could test exactly where the league draws its line.
McDavid also isn't alone in the footage, making this more interesting than one player's personal equipment preference. The panel's focus was specifically on the Oilers and whether the approach provides a team-wide answer to the enforcement. Sportsnet.ca
Now the puck moves back to the NHL. Edmonton has shown its adjustment, and officials will ultimately determine whether the fight-strap setup stays within the uniform guidelines once regular-season shifts begin.
Did Connor McDavid and the Oilers find a fair loophole in the NHL's jersey-tuck rule?
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