In the blink of an eye, the NHL is back in action.
The 2021 season ended July 7 when the Lightning won the Stanley Cup; now, the 2021-22 season is just around the corner. As the preseason kicks into high gear and teams shake off the rust, all the key dates are starting to form. While the last two seasons were anything but normal, this season is shaping up to be not normal as well with an Olympic break in the middle of it.
Here's a breakdown of everything we know regarding the NHL's upcoming season.
When does the 2021-22 NHL season start?
- NHL season start date: Tuesday, Oct. 12
- NHL season end date: Friday, April 29, 2022
Ninety-seven days after the Lightning hoisted the Stanley Cup for the second straight year, the NHL will return to action Oct. 12 with two games. The opening act showcases the champion Bolts raising their banner and taking on the Penguins, while the headliner has the NHL's two newest franchises — the Golden Knights and the Kraken in their first regular-season game — meeting in Sin City.
MORE: Watch the 2021-22 NHL season on ESPN+
How many games will be played?
After two seasons that were cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021-22 season is set to be (fingers crossed) a full 82-game slate.
How will games work in 2021-22?
Last season included a few new wrinkles to the schedule, such as limited opponents and baseball-like series. Those are officially scratched, as are division-only slates. Back on the schedule for 2021-22 are cross-country treks and West Coast or East Coast swings. Players will be suiting up against each of the other 31 teams over the course of the next seven months; that's great news for fans who missed out on seeing Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and other NHL stars in person last season.
MORE: NHL training camp opens with players and coaches 'excited' for normalcy
What are the divisions?
Welcome back to the old divisions. Gone are the North (aka Canadian), West and East. The Central was, and is, still around, but with a return to the usual teams. Also making a grand return are the conferences: Eastern and Western.
There is one slight change from the 2019-20 season: the Coyotes have moved from the Central to the Pacific to make room for the Kraken, who join the Pacific.
| Atlantic | Metropolitan | Central | Pacific |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | Carolina Hurricanes | Arizona Coyotes | Anaheim Ducks |
| Buffalo Sabres | Columbus Blue Jackets | Chicago Blackhawks | Calgary Flames |
| Detroit Red Wings | New Jersey Devils | Colorado Avalanche | Edmonton Oilers |
| Florida Panthers | New York Islanders | Dallas Stars | Los Angeles Kings |
| Montreal Canadiens | New York Rangers | Minnesota Wild | San Jose Sharks |
| Ottawa Senators | Philadelphia Flyers | Nashville Predators | Seattle Kraken |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Pittsburgh Penguins | St. Louis Blues | Vancouver Canucks |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Washington Capitals | Winnipeg Jets | Vegas Golden Knights |
'ALL OR NOTHING: TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS': Five things we've learned about 2021
Will there be a Winter Classic? An All-Star Game?
Yes! Both the Winter Classic and the NHL All-Star Game are back for 2021-22.
Winter Classic
- Date: Jan. 1, 2022
- Location: Target Field, Minneapolis
- Teams: Blues vs. Wild
All-Star Game
- Date: Feb. 5
- Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
When is the Olympic break?
- Olympic break: Feb. 5-22, 2022
NHL players are heading back to the Olympics in 2022. The league announced Sept. 3 that it had reached an agreement with the IOC to allow its players to attend. Of course, because of the ongoing pandemic, there is a chance things will change, but for now it's a go.
OLYMPICS: Projecting Canada, USA rosters
What are other key dates?
2021-22 trade deadline
- March 21 (3 p.m. ET)
2021-22 Stanley Cup playoffs
- Begin: May 2
- Last possible day of final: June 30
2021-22 free agency
- First buyout period: July 1-12 (5 p.m. ET)
- Free agency begins: July 13 (noon ET)
2022 NHL Entry Draft
- First round: July 7
- Rounds 2-7: July 8
The 2022 NHL Entry Draft will be held in Montreal.