September 18
Opening day of training camps
September 21
First day of preseason play
October 1
NHL Board of Governors meeting
October 4 – October 5
2024 NHL Global Series: Sabres vs. Devils (O2 Arena, Prague, Czechia) – first regular season contests
October 5
Last day of preseason play
October 7
Deadline for teams to submit opening-day rosters (4 p.m. CT)
October 8
Opening night of regular season
November 1 – November 2
2024 NHL Global Series: Stars vs. Panthers (Nokia Arena, Tampere, Finland)
December 1
Signing deadline for restricted free agents (4 p.m. CT)
December 9 – December 10
NHL Board of Governors Meeting
December 20 – December 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).”
December 24 – December 26
Holiday break (no scheduled practices – dressing rooms closed)
December 31
NHL Winter Classic: Blues at Blackhawks (Wrigley Field, Chicago)
February 10 – February 21
Season pauses for NHL 4 Nations Face-Off. The tournament runs from Feb. 12 through Feb. 20.
March 7
2025 NHL Trade Deadline (2 p.m. CT)
April 17
Last day of regular season
April 19
Stanley Cup Playoffs begin
June 23
Last possible day of Stanley Cup Final