NHL News
2021-22 Critical Dates Announced
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