NHL puts puck tracking on hold amid performance concerns

Starting Tuesday, the NHL will stop using game pucks with embedded tracking technology, the league announced.

The league began using puck and player tracking in the 2020 playoffs. However, the NHL determined the pucks used this season didn't receive the same precise finishing treatments during the offseason manufacturing process compared to last year's postseason pucks.

The decision was made after concerns were raised about the puck's performance during the new campaign's first few days.

Tracking pucks will return at some point this season after a new supply is available and passes quality control testing.

For now, the league will use game pucks from the 2019-20 season. Player tracking will continue.

Player and puck tracking was implemented so the league could more accurately collect player data, stats, and analytics. The tracking was aimed to provide fans with more information on the game for pleasure, education, and betting purposes.