Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury defies the NHL and wears a specialty helmet.

In a year of controversy, the NHL again fails to understand what it is doing.

Michael Russo of The Athletic said this in his story about Marc-Andre Fleury's helmet incident.

"On Friday morning, Fleury told The Athletic he was willing to limit his use of the mask to warmups — and accept a fine, according to his agent Allan Walsh — but the team told him he could not because they were twice instructed by the NHL that it was against the rules. Fleury called the league's decision "stupid."

Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has worn a specialty Native American Heritage helmet during warmups that the NHL denied him.

While he was supposed to get fined, there is a discussion that he wouldn't be.

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson couldn't put a cancer ribbon on his helmet because the NHL denied him. 

The confusion continues. ESPN's Greg Wyshynski clarified why Flordia Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and Seattle Kraken goalie Philippe Grubauer were allowed Hockey Fights Cancer masks.

Not to mention, all of this started before the season when the NHL banned specialty jerseys. They also clarified the rule during the preseason, saying that no specialty equipment, i.e., pride tape, would be allowed during warmups.

There needs to be consistency regarding what players can and can't do. 

Former San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer was one of few players not to wear a pride jersey last season. Sharks head coach David Quinn said in the past that he would support his players should they defy NHL bans like Fleury did.

Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott wore pride tape during a game this season and was not fined by the NHL despite the rule saying he should've been.

Marc-Andre Fleury has made the right decision in defying the NHL's dumb rule. Fleury exercised his right to free speech just like everyone should, no matter their view on life.

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