All Times Eastern | Through Oct 5, 2021
SEPTEMBER 2021
Sept. 11-15: NHL Officials Training Camp (Buffalo, N.Y.).
Monday, Sept. 13: NHL/NHLPA Canadian Player Media Tour (Toronto, Ont.).
Wednesday, Sept. 15: Rookie camps open
Sept. 15-17: NHL/NHLPA U.S. Player Media Tour (Chicago, Ill.).
Sept. 15–Oct. 15: NHL celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month.
Tuesday, Sept. 21: NHL Board of Governors Meeting (virtual)
Wednesday, Sept. 22: Training camps open
Sept. 25 to Oct. 9: NHL Preseason Games
Sunday, Sept. 26: The Seattle Kraken will contest their first preseason game when they host the Vancouver
Canucks at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Wash.
OCTOBER 2021
Sunday, Oct. 3: Kraft Hockeyville USA 2020 (Arizona Coyotes at Dallas Stars). The game honors the
community of El Paso, Texas, and will be played at El Paso County Coliseum (9 p.m.).
Monday, Oct. 11: Opening day playing rosters set (5 p.m.).
Tuesday, Oct. 12: Opening night of the 2021-22 NHL regular season includes two games: the Tampa Bay
Lightning raise the franchise’s third Stanley Cup banner before their home opener against the
Pittsburgh Penguins at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN and Sportsnet, while the Seattle Kraken contest their
first regular-season game in franchise history when they visit the Vegas Golden Knights at 10 p.m
on ESPN and Sportsnet.
Wednesday, Oct. 13: TNT opening night doubleheader featuring the New York Rangers against the Washington
Capitals (7:30 p.m.) and the Colorado Avalanche versus the Chicago Blackhawks (10 p.m.).
Canadian doubleheader on Sportsnet with the Montreal Canadiens visiting the Toronto Maple
Leafs at 7 p.m. and the Vancouver Canucks travel to Edmonton to play the Oilers at 10 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 14: The New York Rangers will honor ‘Mr. Ranger’ and Hockey Hall of Fame member Rod Gilbert
before their home opener against the Dallas Stars.
The Columbus Blue Jackets contest their home opener against the Arizona Coyotes and will
honor the memory of late goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks, whose mother, stepfather, sister and
aunt are set to participate in a ceremonial puck drop during a pre-game ceremony. Columbus will
also unveil a banner featuring his No. 80, which will be raised to the rafters at Nationwide Arena
and remain there for the duration of the 2021-22 season.
Saturday, Oct. 16: First Hockey Night in Canada kicks off with the Ottawa Senators visiting the Toronto Maple Leafs
at 7 p.m. and the ‘First Battle of Alberta’ of the season with the Edmonton Oilers hosting the
Calgary Flames at 10 p.m.
The Colorado Avalanche will honor former general manager Pierre Lacroix before their game
against the St. Louis Blues.
Monday, Oct. 18: Rogers Hometown Hockey shifts to a new night as the New York Rangers visit the Toronto
Maple Leafs on the first of 25 broadcasts planned for 2021-22.
Thursday, Oct 21: Carolina Hurricanes F Jesperi Kotkaniemi returns to Montreal for the first time. Kotkaniemi was
selected by the Canadiens with the third overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft and helped Montreal
reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2021 before being signed by the Hurricanes on Sept. 5, 2021.
Saturday, Oct. 23: The Seattle Kraken will contest their home game at Climate Pledge Arena when they host the
Vancouver Canucks at 10 p.m.
NOVEMBER 2021
Monday, Nov. 1: NHL begins the annual campaign for Hockey Fights Cancer.
Sunday, Nov 7: New York Islanders F Zach Parise returns to Minnesota for the first time. Parise, who was born
in Minneapolis, Minn., played each of his last nine seasons with the Wild before being signed by
the Islanders on Sept. 10, 2021.
Friday, Nov. 12: Hockey Hall of Fame Game (Calgary Flames at Toronto Maple Leafs; 6 p.m.).
Nov. 12-15: Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Weekend (Toronto, Ont.) – Class of 2020 Inductees: Jarome
Iginla, Marian Hossa, Kevin Lowe, Doug Wilson, Kim St. Pierre (Player category); Ken
Holland (Builder category).
Sunday, Nov. 14: The Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens will renew their longtime rivalry at TD Garden (7
p.m.), marking the first head-to-head game between the clubs since Feb 12, 2020.
Wednesday, Nov. 17: NHL on TNT debut of the Seattle Kraken, who host the Chicago Blackhawks at 10 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 18: Dallas Stars D Ryan Suter returns to Minnesota for the first time. Suter played each of his last
nine seasons with the Wild before being signed by the Stars on July 28, 2021.
Saturday, Nov. 20: The New York Islanders will contest their home opener at UBS Arena when they host the
Calgary Flames (7 p.m.).
Friday, Nov. 26: NHL Founders Day (1917). Twenty-six teams are in action on the 104th anniversary of the
League’s founding, including the 2021 NHL Thanksgiving Showdown between the St. Louis Blues
and Chicago Blackhawks at 1 p.m.
Seattle Kraken F Yanni Gourde returns to Tampa Bay for the first time. Gourde helped the
Lightning win the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021 before being claimed by the Kraken in the 2021
NHL Expansion Draft.
Sunday, Nov. 28: The 2021-22 regular season surpasses the quarter-mark on a seven-game day (328 GP).
DECEMBER 2021
Dec. 1-31: NHL Celebrates Indigenous Peoples Month (U.S.)
Monday, Dec. 6: Los Angeles Kings D Alexander Edler returns to Vancouver for the first time. Edler played each
of his first 15 NHL seasons with the Canucks and is the franchise’s all-time leader for regular-
season goals (99), assists (310) and points (409) among Vancouver defensemen.
Tuesday, Dec. 7: Rematch of 2021 Stanley Cup Final: Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens
Thursday, Dec. 9: U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction in Denver, Colo., for both the 2020 and 2021 Inductees:
Dean Blais, Tony Granato, Jenny Potter and Jerry York (2020); Stan Fischler, Paul
Holmgren and Peter McNab (2021). Lester Patrick Trophy recipients: Lynn Olson (2020) and
Jack Barzee (2021).
Dec. 9-10: NHL Board of Governors Meeting (Manalapan, Fla.)
Sunday, Dec. 19: 104th Anniversary of the first games in NHL history. Sixteen teams are in action, including
the first-ever game between the Toronto Maple Leafs – one of the League’s founding franchises
– and Seattle Kraken – the NHL’s newest addition. Toronto, then known as the Arenas, faced the
Montreal Wanderers on Dec. 19, 1917 (10-9 L).
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).
Thursday, Dec. 23: The first of four 15-game days of 2021-22. Only the New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets have
the day off.
Seattle Kraken D Mark Giordano returns to Calgary for the first time. The 2018-19 Norris Trophy
winner skated his first 15 NHL seasons with Calgary before being claimed by Seattle in the 2021
Expansion Draft, which included serving as Flames captain in each of the last eight.
Dec. 24–26: Holiday break (no scheduled practices – dressing rooms closed).
Dec. 26–Jan. 5: 2022 IIHF Men’s World Junior Championship (Edmonton/Red Deer, Alta.)
Wednesday, Dec. 29: Detroit Red Wings D Nick Leddy returns to New York for the first time. Leddy played each of
his last seven seasons with the Islanders before being traded to the Red Wings on July 16, 2021.
Friday, Dec. 31: The final day of the year includes seven games, starting with two at 1 p.m. and concluding with
an all-Canadian matchup between the Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames at 9 p.m.
JANUARY 2022
Saturday, Jan 1: 2022 Discover NHL Winter Classic (St. Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild, 7 p.m., TNT, SN1,
TVAS). Target Field, home of MLB’s Minnesota Twins, in Minneapolis, Minn., will host the NHL’s
33rd regular-season outdoor game.
Monday, Jan. 3: Carolina Hurricanes G Frederik Andersen returns to Toronto for the first time. Andersen
backstopped the Maple Leafs in each of his last five seasons before being signed by the
Hurricanes on July 28, 2021.
Wednesday, Jan. 5: Edmonton Oilers F Zach Hyman returns to Toronto for the first time. Hyman skated each of his
first six NHL seasons with the Maple Leafs before being signed by the Oilers on July 28, 2021.
Thursday, Jan 6: New York Rangers F Ryan Reaves and head coach Gerard Gallant return to Las Vegas for the
first time. Reaves skated parts of the last four seasons with the Golden Knights before being
traded to the Rangers on July 29, 2021, while Gallant was Vegas’ first head coach.
Jan. 8-15: 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship (Linkoping/Mjolby, Swe.).
Saturday, Jan. 8: The second of four 15-game days of 2021-22. Only the St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames have
the day off.
Chicago Blackhawks G Marc-Andre Fleury returns to Vegas for the first time. Fleury was with
the Golden Knights in each of their first four seasons and led them to the 2018 Stanley Cup Final.
Tuesday, Jan. 11: Chicago Blackhawks D Seth Jones returns to Columbus for the first time. Jones skated parts of
the last six seasons with the Blue Jackets and is the franchise’s all-time leader in regular season
assists (173) and points (223) among Columbus defensemen.
Thursday, Jan. 13: The 2021-22 regular season surpasses the halfway-mark on an 11-game day (656 GP).
Pittsburgh Penguins F Jeff Carter returns to Los Angeles for the first time. Carter won the
Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2012 and 2014 before being traded to Pittsburgh on April 12, 2021.
Seattle Kraken F Jaden Schwartz returns to St. Louis for the first time. Schwartz won the
Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019 before being claimed by the Kraken in the 2021 NHL
Expansion Draft.
Week of 13th: NHL Central Scouting Mid-Season Rankings released.
Saturday, Jan. 15: The third of four 15-game days of 2021-22. Only the Minnesota Wild and Edmonton Oilers have
the day off.
Monday, Jan. 17: The St. Louis Blues will retire the No. 44 of franchise icon Chris Pronger before facing the
Nashville Predators. Pronger played nine seasons with the Blues from 1995-96 to 2003-04 and
occupies third place on the franchise list for regular-season goals (84), assists (272) and points
(356) among defensemen.
Tuesday, Jan. 18: The Boston Bruins will retire the No. 22 of hockey pioneer Willie O'Ree before facing the
Carolina Hurricanes. The date marks the 64-year anniversary of O’Ree’s League debut on Jan.
18, 1958, when he made history as the first Black player to appear in an NHL game.
Thursday, Jan. 20: Columbus Blue Jackets F Jakub Voracek returns to Philadelphia for the first time. Voracek
skated the last 10 seasons with the Flyers before being traded to Columbus on July 24, 2021.
Friday, Jan. 28: The Dallas Stars will retire the No. 56 of franchise icon Sergei Zubov before facing the
Washington Capitals. Zubov skated each of his final 12 NHL seasons with the Stars from 1996-97
to 2008-09, and won the Stanley Cup with Dallas in 1999. He is the franchise leader in regular-
season goals (111), assists (438) and points (549) among defensemen.
The New York Rangers will retire the No. 30 of franchise icon Henrik Lundqvist before facing
the Minnesota Wild. Lundqvist has the most wins (459), games played (887) and shutouts (64) in
franchise history among goaltenders.
Saturday, Jan. 29: Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada (Host city: Owen Sound, Ont.).
New Jersey Devils D Dougie Hamilton returns to Carolina for the first time. He skated each of
the last three seasons with the Hurricanes before signing with the Devils on July 28, 2021.
FEBRUARY 2022
Feb. 1-28: NHL celebrates Black History Month.
Feb. 3-6: NHL All-Star Break (no games played):
• Feb. 3-5: No scheduled practices; dressing rooms closed
• Friday, Feb. 4: 2022 NHL All-Star Skills at T-Mobile Arena
• Saturday, Feb. 5: 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Game at T-Mobile Arena
Friday, Feb. 4: NHL Alumni Awards Luncheon hosted by Scotiabank – Honorees: TBA (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Feb. 7-22: NHL season paused for 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Wednesday, Feb. 23: The NHL regular season resumes with four games, including a TNT doubleheader that begins
with Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers against the defending Stanley Cup champion
Tampa Bay Lightning (7:30 p.m.) and concludes with a matchup between former division rivals
the Los Angeles Kings and Arizona Coyotes (10 p.m.).
Saturday, Feb. 26: 2022 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series (Tampa Bay Lightning at Nashville
Predators, 7:30 p.m., TNT, SN1, TVAS). Nissan Stadium, home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans,
in Nashville, Tenn., will host the NHL’s 34
th
regular-season outdoor game – the Lightning will
become the 27
th
franchise to partake.
Feb. 28–March 6: Hockey Week Across America (USA Hockey).
MARCH 2022
March 1-31: NHL celebrates Gender Equality Month.
Thursday, March 3: Edmonton Oilers D Duncan Keith returns to Chicago for the first time. Keith skated each of his
first 16 NHL seasons with the Blackhawks, winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015. He
ranks second on the franchise list for regular-season games played (1,192) by any player, as well
as among the top three for goals (105; 3rd), assists (520; 2nd) and points (625; 2nd) among
defensemen.
Saturday, March 5: Boston Bruins F Nick Foligno returns to Columbus for the first time. Foligno skated parts of his
last nine seasons with the Blue Jackets, including six in which he served as team captain.
Sunday, March 13: 2022 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic (Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres, 3 p.m., TNT,
SN, TVAS). Tim Hortons Field, home of the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats, in Hamilton, Ont., will
host the NHL’s 35
th
regular-season outdoor game.
Saturday, March 19: The 2021-22 regular season enters its final quarter on an 11-game day (984 GP).
Monday, March 21: 2022 NHL Trade Deadline (3 p.m. ET)
Sunday, March 27: Philadelphia Flyers D Ryan Ellis returns to Nashville for the first time. Ellis skated each of his first
10 NHL seasons with the Predators, which included reaching the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.
APRIL 2022
April 1-30: NHL celebrates Earth Month.
Chicago Blackhawks F Tyler Johnson returns to Tampa Bay for the first time. Johnson skated
each of his first nine NHL seasons with the Lightning, winning the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021.
April 7-9: NCAA Frozen Four (TD Garden, Boston, Mass.)
Thursday, April 7: Vancouver Canucks D Oliver Ekman-Larsson returns to Arizona for the first time. Ekman-
Larsson skated each of his first 11 NHL seasons with the Coyotes, including three in which he
served as team captain. He is the franchise leader in regular-season goals (128) among
defensemen and ranks second for both assists (260) and points (388) among blueliners.
Philadelphia Flyers F Cam Atkinson returns to Columbus for the first time. Atkinson skated each
of his first 10 NHL seasons with the Blue Jackets and ranks among the top four on the franchise’s
all-time regular-season goals (213; 2nd), assists (189; 4th) and points (402; 2nd) lists.
Week of 18th: NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings released.
April 21–May 1: IIHF Men’s U18 World Championship (Landshut and Kaufbeuren, Germany)
Sunday, April 24: The NHL on TNT regular season schedule will conclude with a meeting of in-state rivals –
Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers at 4 p.m. on TNT
Friday, April 29: The final day of the regular season marks the last of four 15-game days of 2021-22. Only the
NY Islanders and Los Angeles Kings have the day off.
MAY 2022
May 1-31: NHL celebrates Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Monday, May 2: 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin.
May 13-29: IIHF Men’s World Championship (Tampere/Helsinki, Finland)
May 29–June 4: 2022 NHL Scouting Combine (LECOM HarborCenter, Buffalo, N.Y.)
TBA: 2022 NHL Draft Lottery
JUNE 2022
June 1-30: NHL celebrates Pride Month and Indigenous Peoples Month (Canada)
June 3-12: 2022 CHL Memorial Cup (St. John, NB)
Thursday, June 30: Last possible day of 2022 Stanley Cup Final.
JULY 2022
July 7-8: 2022 NHL Draft (Bell Centre, Montreal, Que.).
Wednesday, July 13: Free agency begins (12 p.m. ET).
Sunday, July 17: Deadline for player-elected salary arbitration notification (5 p.m. ET).
Monday, July 18: Deadline for club-elected salary arbitration notification (5 p.m. ET).
July 27–Aug. 11: Salary arbitration hearings held.
AUGUST 2022
Saturday, Aug. 13: Deadline for salary arbitration decisions to be rendered.
TBA: IIHF Women’s World Championship (Denmark)
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