2023-24 NHL DATES OF INTEREST
As of Monday, Oct. 9, 2023
AUGUST 2023
Aug. 17-20: NHL Amateur Officials Exposure Combine (Buffalo, N.Y.)
Wednesday, Aug. 23: 2023 NHL/NHLPA European Player Media Tour (Stockholm, Sweden)
SEPTEMBER 2023
Sept. 5-7: NHL/NHLPA Player Orientation Program (Leesburg, Va.)
Sept. 9-13: NHL Officials Training Camp (Buffalo, N.Y.)
Wednesday, Sept. 13: Rookie camps open
Wednesday, Sept. 20: Training camps open
Sept. 12-13: 2023 NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Sept. 15–Oct. 15: NHL celebrates Hispanic and Latin American Heritage.
Sept. 20-24: USHL Fall Showcase (Cranberry Township, Pa.)
Sept. 23-24: 2023 NHL Global Series – Melbourne (Arizona Coyotes vs. Los Angeles Kings). The
first-ever NHL games in the Southern Hemisphere will be played at Rod Laver Arena in
Melbourne, Australia, when the Coyotes and Kings meet for preseason play.
Sept. 23–Oct. 7: NHL preseason games
Wednesday, Sept. 27: 2023 Kraft Hockeyville (Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs). The game honors the
community of West Lorne, Ont., and will be played at Joe Thornton Community Centre in
St. Thomas, Ont.
OCTOBER 2023
Sunday, Oct. 1: 2022 Kraft Hockeyville (Florida Panthers vs. Ottawa Senators). The game honors the
community of Sydney N.S., and will be played at Centre 200 in Sydney.
Wednesday, Oct. 4: NHL Board of Governors Meeting (New York, N.Y.)
Monday, Oct. 9 Opening day playing rosters set (5 p.m. ET)
Tuesday, Oct. 10: Opening day of the 2023-24 regular season features an ESPN triple-header:
Nashville visits Tampa Bay (5:30 p.m. ET); Connor Bedard could make his NHL debut
when Chicago visits Pittsburgh (8 p.m. ET); Vegas will raise its first Stanley Cup banner
before hosting Seattle (10:30 p.m. ET).
Wednesday, Oct. 11: TNT’s first broadcast of the season is a doubleheader featuring Chicago at Boston
(7:30 p.m. ET) and Colorado at Los Angeles (10 p.m. ET). On Sportsnet, all seven
Canadian teams will be in action: Montreal at Toronto (7 p.m. ET), Ottawa at Carolina (7
p.m. ET), Winnipeg at Calgary (10 p.m. ET) and Edmonton at Vancouver (10 p.m. ET).
Saturday, Oct. 14: The first Hockey Night in Canada of the season features Montreal hosting Chicago (7
p.m. ET), Minnesota at Toronto (7 p.m. ET) and Vancouver at Edmonton (10 p.m. ET).
Tuesday, Oct. 17: Oilers D Mattias Ekholm returns to Nashville for the first time after playing parts of his
first 12 seasons with the Predators. Ekholm ranks in the top five among defensemen in
franchise history in games (3rd; 719), goals (5th; 62), assists (4th; 206), points (5th; 268).
Saturday, Oct. 21: First of four 15-game days scheduled for the 2023-24 regular season (also Nov. 4,
Nov. 24 & March 30), with only Calgary and New Jersey idle.
Tuesday, Oct. 24: First of two 16-game days scheduled for the 2023-24 regular season (also Saturday,
Jan. 13). It will be the second 16-game day in NHL history (previously Saturday, April 8,
2023) and first on a weekday. Most games will have staggered 15-minute start times to
provide continuous action from start to finish.
Wednesday, Oct. 25: NHL Central Scouting: Preliminary Players to Watch List released.
Sunday, Oct. 29: 2023 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic (Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers). The
Flames and Oilers will participate in the 38th outdoor game in NHL history, and first of
four scheduled for 2023-24, at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton (7 p.m. ET).
Monday, Oct. 30: Rangers F Blake Wheeler returns to Winnipeg for the first time after spending his
previous 13 seasons with the Jets/Thrashers where he served as captain for six seasons.
Wheeler is the franchise leader in games played (897), assists (550) and points (812).
NOVEMBER 2023
Wednesday, Nov. 1: Hockey Fights Cancer Month begins as the campaign celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Saturday, Nov. 4: Second of four 15-game days scheduled for the 2023-24 regular season, with only
Anaheim and New Jersey idle.
Penguins D Erik Karlsson returns to San Jose for the first time after spending his last
five seasons with the Sharks. Karlsson was the 2022-23 recipient of the James Norris
Memorial Trophy after becoming the sixth different defenseman in NHL history to record
a 100-point season.
Friday, Nov. 10: Hockey Hall of Fame Game (Calgary Flames at Toronto Maple Leafs)
Nov. 10-13: Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Weekend (Toronto, Ont.). The Class of 2023 Inductees
are Tom Barrasso, Henrik Lundqvist, Caroline Ouellette, Pierre Turgeon and Mike
Vernon in the Player Category, along with Ken Hitchcock and Pierre Lacroix in the
Builder Category.
Wednesday, Nov. 15: NHL Central Scouting: Players to Watch list updated.
Islanders F Bo Horvat returns to Vancouver for the first time after spending parts of
his first nine season with the Canucks (wearing the “C” from 2019-20 to 2022-23).
Nov. 16-19: 2023 NHL Global Series – Stockholm. Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, will host a
regular-season NHL game on four straight days – a first for a city outside North America.
• Thursday, Nov. 16: Detroit at Ottawa (2 p.m. ET)
• Friday, Nov. 17: Toronto at Detroit (2 p.m. ET)
• Saturday, Nov. 18: Minnesota at Ottawa (11 a.m. ET)
• Sunday, Nov. 19: Toronto at Minnesota (8 a.m. ET)
Monday, Nov. 20: Avalanche F Ryan Johansen returns to Nashville after playing each of his previous eight
seasons with the Predators.
Wednesday, Nov. 22: The Predators will honor former general manager David Poile before hosting the Flames
(9 p.m. ET). Poile has the most wins and games among general managers in NHL history
and served as Nashville’s GM for each of its first 24 seasons from 1998-99 to 2022-23.
Friday, Nov. 24: Third of four 15-game days scheduled for the 2023-24 regular season, with only
Arizona and Vegas idle.
2023 Thanksgiving Showdown. The NHL on TNT will host the annual doubleheader,
this year featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins at Buffalo Sabres (6 p.m. ET) and Colorado
Avalanche at Minnesota Wild (8:30 p.m. ET).
Predators F Ryan O’Reilly returns to St. Louis for the first time after spending parts of
five seasons with the Blues from 2018-19 to 2022-23, including three as captain. His
tenure included winning the Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe Trophy and Frank J. Selke
Trophy (all in 2018-19).
Blue Jackets D Damon Severson returns to New Jersey for the first time after spending
his first nine seasons with the Devils. Severson ranks in the top five among defensemen
in franchise history in goals (4th; 58), assists (5th; 205) and points (5th; 263).
Sunday, Nov. 26: NHL Founders Day (1917), with 10 teams in action on the 106th anniversary of the
League’s founding.
Tuesday, Nov. 28: Quarter Mark of 2023-24 Season (second contest on 10-game day; 328 GP).
Nov. 30–Dec. 1: USHL American Cup: Youngstown vs. Muskegon (Rochester, N.Y.)
DECEMBER 2023
Friday, Dec. 1: Signing deadline for Group 2 free agents (5 p.m. ET).
99th anniversary of the first game in Bruins history, a 2-1 victory against the Montreal
Maroons at Boston Arena on Dec. 1, 1924. The franchise is celebrating its Centennial
Year throughout the 2023-24 season and into 2024-25, culminating on the 100th
anniversary of the club’s League debut.
Senators G Joonas Korpisalo returns to Columbus for the first time after spending eight
seasons with the Blue Jackets.
Tuesday, Dec. 5: The Devils and Canucks are set to play their first of two meetings in the 2023-24 regular
season (also Jan. 6), which could mark the first time all three Hughes brothers compete
in the same NHL game (Jack and Luke with New Jersey, Quinn with Vancouver).
Wednesday, Dec. 6: U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction – Class of 2023 Inductees: Brian Burke, Jamie
Langenbrunner, Katie King, Brian Murphy and Dustin Brown, along with Celebration
of Lester Patrick - Recipient: TBA (Boston, Mass.).
Wednesday, Dec. 13: Sabres D Erik Johnson returns to Colorado for the first time after spending 13 seasons
with the Avalanche, with whom he won a Stanley Cup in 2022.
Tuesday, Dec. 19: 106th anniversary of the first games in NHL history. Twenty-two teams are in action
including Senators D Jakob Chychrun returning to Arizona for the first time after playing
parts of his first seven seasons with the Coyotes.
Dec. 20-27: Holiday roster freeze in effect: For all players on an NHL active roster, injured reserve,
or with non-roster and injured non-roster status as of 11:59 p.m. (local time) Dec. 19, a
roster freeze shall apply through 12:01 a.m. (local time) Dec. 28, with respect to waivers,
trades and loans, subject to the exceptions provided for in CBA Article 16.5 (d)
Saturday, Dec. 23: Stanley Cup Final rematch when the Panthers host the Golden Knights (3 p.m. ET).
Stars F Matt Duchene returns to Nashville for the first time after spending his previous
four seasons with the Predators. He ranked second on the team in goals (84) and assists
(113) during his tenure, from 2019-20 to 2022-23.
Dec. 24-26: Holiday Break (no scheduled practices – dressing rooms closed)
Dec. 26–Jan. 5: 2024 IIHF Men’s World Junior Championship (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Sunday, Dec. 31: New Year's Eve features a nine-game slate, starting at 2 p.m. ET and concluding with
four matchups at 8 p.m. ET.
JANUARY 2024
Monday, Jan. 1: 2024 Discover NHL Winter Classic (Vegas Golden Knights at Seattle Kraken). The
Golden Knights and Kraken will square off at T-Mobile Park in the NHL 39th regular-
season outdoor game (the second of four scheduled for the 2023-24 campaign).
Friday, Jan. 5: Hurricanes D Dmitry Orlov returns to Washington for the first time after playing 11
seasons with the Capitals, with whom he won a Stanley Cup in 2018.
Jan. 6-14: 2024 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship (Switzerland)
Jan. 12 or 15: NHL Central Scouting Mid-Season Rankings released.
Saturday, Jan. 13 Final 16-game day scheduled for the 2023-24 regular season.
Halfway Mark of 2023-24 Season (fourth contest on 16-game day; 656 GP).
Ducks F Alex Killorn returns to Tampa Bay for the first time after playing his first 11
seasons with the Lightning, a tenure that included back-to-back Stanley Cup wins (2020
& 2021). He ranks in the top 10 in Lightning history in games played (5th; 805), goals
(6th; 198), points (7th; 466) and assists (8th; 268) entering 2023-24.
Coyotes D Matt Dumba returns to Minnesota for the first time after spending his first 10
seasons with the Wild. Dumba ranks in the top five among defensemen in franchise
history in goals (2nd; 79), assists (4th; 157) and points (3rd; 236) entering 2023-24.
Monday, Jan. 15: Kraken D Brian Dumoulin returns to Pittsburgh for the first time after playing his first 10
seasons with the Penguins, a tenure that included two Stanley Cup wins (2016 & 2017).
USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game (USA Hockey Arena; Plymouth, Mich.)
Thursday, Jan. 18: Wild F Pat Maroon returns to Tampa Bay for the first time after spending each of the
previous four seasons with the Lightning, a tenure that included back-to-back Stanley
Cup wins (2020 & 2021).
Saturday, Jan. 20: Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada from Victoria, B.C., with all seven Canadian teams
in action: Winnipeg at Ottawa (3 p.m. ET), Montreal at Boston (7 p.m. ET), Toronto at
Vancouver (7 p.m. ET) and Edmonton at Calgary (10 p.m. ET).
Penguins F Reilly Smith returns to Vegas for the first time after playing his previous six
seasons with the Golden Knights. Smith was acquired by Vegas during the 2018
Expansion Draft and won the Stanley Cup with the club last season.
Rangers G Jonathan Quick returns to Los Angeles for the first time after playing 16
seasons with the Kings, a span which included two Stanley Cups (2012 & 2014) and a
Conn Smythe Trophy (2012). Quick is the franchise leader in games played, wins and
shutouts among goaltenders.
Wednesday, Jan 24: 2024 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game (Avenir Centre; Moncton, N.B.)
Jan. 25-26: USHL Frosty Cup: Sioux Falls Stampede vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints (Dallas, Tex.),
hosted in partnership with the Dallas Stars.
Saturday, Jan. 27: Montreal Canadiens scheduled to contest their 7,000th regular season NHL game.
FEBRUARY 2024
Feb 1-29: NHL celebrates Black Hockey History.
Feb. 1-4: NHL All-Star Break (no games played; Feb. 1-3: no scheduled practices, dressing room
closed), with NHL All-Star Weekend taking place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, with
the city hosting the event for the first time since 2000, ninth time overall and third time in
the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68).
• Friday, Feb. 2: 2024 NHL All-Star Skills presented by Draft Kings
• Saturday, Feb. 3: 2024 Honda (U.S.) / Rogers (Canada) NHL All-Star Game
Feb. 4-5: 2024 AHL All-Star Classic (Tech CU Arena; San Jose, Calif.)
Saturday, Feb. 10: Toronto Maple Leafs scheduled to contest the franchise’s 7,000th regular-season game.
Thursday, Feb. 15: Avalanche F Ross Colton returns to Tampa Bay for the first time where he spent his first
three NHL seasons, capturing the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2021.
Feb. 17-18: 2024 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium in East
Rutherford, New Jersey, in the 40th and 41st regular-season outdoor games in NHL
history (and third and fourth in 2023-24).
• Saturday, Feb. 17: Philadelphia at New Jersey (8 p.m. ET)
• Sunday, Feb. 18: NY Rangers at NY Islanders (3 p.m. ET)
Feb. 19-25: Hockey Week Across America (USA Hockey); USA Hockey National Try Hockey for Free
Day (Feb. 24)
Sunday, Feb. 25: The Blackhawks will retire the No. 7 of Chris Chelios before hosting the Red Wings (6
p.m. ET). Born in Chicago, Chelios won the James Norris Trophy twice with his
hometown club and ranks in the top five among defensemen in franchise history in goals
(5th; 92), assists (4th; 395) and points (4th; 487).
Tuesday, Feb. 27: Devils F Timo Meier returns to San Jose for the first time after playing parts of his first
seven NHL seasons with the Sharks.
Thursday, Feb. 29: The 2023-24 NHL season will mark the 21st to feature games taking place on a Leap
Day (Feb. 29). Every fourth season since 1935-36 has featured at least one game on
Feb. 29, except 1951-52 and 1959-60. The 12 games scheduled for Feb. 29, 2024,
equal the highest total ever on a Leap Day (12 GP on Feb. 29, 2020).
MARCH 2024
March 1-31: NHL celebrates Women’s History.
Saturday, March 2: The Flames will retire the No. 34 of Miikka Kiprusoff before hosting the Penguins (10
p.m. ET). Kiprusoff is the franchise leader in games played (576), wins (305) and
shutouts (41) among goaltenders. He backstopped the club to within one win of a Stanley
Cup in 2004 and is responsible for the only Vezina Trophy and William M. Jennings
Trophy wins in franchise history (both in 2005-06). Kiprusoff will join Mike Vernon (No.
30) as the second goaltender to have his number retired by the franchise, alongside
skaters Jarome Iginla (No. 12) and Lanny McDonald (No. 9).
Tuesday, March 5: Three-Quarter Mark of 2023-24 Season (fourth contest on 9-game day; 984 GP).
Friday, March 8: 2024 NHL Trade Deadline (3 p.m. ET)
Tuesday, March 26: Canadiens F Alex Newhook returns to Colorado for the first time after spending each of
his first three seasons with the Avalanche, winning a Stanley Cup in 2022.
Saturday, March 30: Final 15-game day scheduled for the 2023-24 regular season, with only New
Jersey and Vancouver idle.
TBD: NCAA Women’s Frozen Four (Whittemore Center Arena; Durham, N.H.)
APRIL 2024
April 1-30: NHL celebrates Green Month.
April 4-14: 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship (Utica, NY.)
April 11-13: NCAA Men’s Frozen Four (Xcel Energy Center; St. Paul, Minn.)
Week of April 15: NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings released
Thursday, April 18: Final day of the 2023-24 regular season.
Monday, April 22: 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs scheduled to begin.
April 25-May 5: 2024 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship (Espoo and Vantaa, Finland)
TBD: 2024 NHL Draft Lottery
MAY 2024
May 1-30: NHL celebrates Asian and Pacific Islander Month.
May 10-26: 2024 IIHF Men’s World Championship (Prague and Ostrava, Czechia)
May 24-June 2: 2024 CHL Memorial Cup (Dow Event Center; Saginaw, Mich.)
JUNE 2024
June 1-30: NHL celebrates PRIDE Month.
June 2-8: 2024 NHL Scouting Combine (LECOM Harborcenter; Buffalo, N.Y.)
June 15 (TBD): Deadline for first club-elected salary arbitration notification (5 p.m. ET); date is later of
June 15 or 48 hours after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final.
Monday, June 24: Last possible day of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final
TBD: 2024 NHL Awards (TBD)
TBD: 2024 NHL Draft (TBD)
JULY 2024
Monday, July 1: Free agency begins (12 p.m. ET)
Friday, July 5: Deadline for player-elected salary arbitration notification (5 p.m. ET).
Saturday, July 6: Deadline for second club-elected salary arbitration notification (5 p.m. ET).
July 20-Aug. 4: Salary arbitration hearings held.
AUGUST 2024
Tuesday, Aug. 6: Deadline for salary arbitration decisions to be rendered.
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