Blue line rule for puck leaving the offensive zone

Question
When a team is in the offensive zone with the puck, and the puck leaves the offensive zone, it is clear that the players must also leave the offensive zone (or touch up at the blue line) before bringing the puck back in again. Otherwise, they would be called for being offside. However, how far over the blue line into the neutral zone does the puck have to travel in order for this to happen?

I have heard conflicting answers to this question. Some have said that the puck has to be completely over the blue line, not touching any of the blue paint, before it is considered to be out of the offensive zone. I have also heard some say that if any portion of the puck crosses the blue line and touches the white area of the neutral zone, the puck is out of the neutral zone, and the players must exit before bringing the puck back in.

Which is the correct answer? I have looked through the NHL online rulebook (http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=27011), and I can't see where this is discussed.

Answer
Hello,

Thank you for asking!

The puck must cross the leading edge of the blue line completely.  The leading edge refers to the furthest edge of the line the puck is moving towards.  If the puck is coming out of the defensive zone, the blue line is a part of that zone so the puck must be completely across it to be in the neutral zone.  The opposite is also true.  If the puck is in the neutral zone, the blue line is considered a part of the neutral zone so the puck must completely cross it to leave.

This link goes to the off-side section of the rule-book http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=26497 where you will find this section:

"It should be noted that while the position of the player抯 skates is what determines whether a player is 搊ff-side,?nevertheless the question of an 搊ff-side?never arises until the puck has completely crossed the leading edge of the blueline at which time the decision is to be made."

Hope this helps!

T