The NHL & NHLPA agreed to updating the critical dates calendar for the 21-22 season.  This season will begin on Oct 12 and end April 29, providing a 200 game season for salary cap purposes.  

Key Dates:

March 21 - Trade Deadline

April 29 - Last day of Regular Season

May 2 - Playoffs Begin

July 1- First Buy-out Period Begins

July 2 - Deadline for First Club-Elected Salary Arbitration

July 7 - NHL Draft Round 1

July 8 - NHL Draft Round 2

July 11 - Deadline for Qualifying Offers (open for acceptance July 13)

July 12 - RFA's can discuss contracts with all teams, First buy-out period ends, and team's ability to sign their own UFA's to 8 year deals expires

July 13 - Free Agency Begins, Qualifying Offers can be Accepted

July 17 - Deadline for Player Elected Arbitration, Start of Second Team Elected Arbitration period

July 18 - Deadline for Club Elected Arbitration

July 22 - Qualifying Offers Expire

July 27 to Aug 11 - Arbitration Hearings