After the 2025 Stanley Cup Final ended last night, making the Panthers the third back-to-back Stanley Cup champion of the salary cap era, the offseason is now officially in full swing with some notable items in quick procession. Here are some key dates to look out for as the news cycle begins to heat up:
June 19
4 p.m. CT – Deadline for first club-elected salary arbitration notification
4 p.m. CT – First buyout period begins
June 27
6 p.m. CT – First round of the 2025 NHL Draft
June 28
11 a.m. CT – Rounds 2-7 of the 2025 NHL Draft
June 30
4 p.m. CT – First buyout period ends
4 p.m. CT – Deadline to issue qualifying offers to pending RFAs
July 1
11 a.m. CT – 2025-26 league year officially begins, free agency opens
July 5
4 p.m. CT – Deadline for player-elected salary arbitration notification
July 6
4 p.m. CT – Deadline for second club-elected salary arbitration notification
July 15
4 p.m. CT – Qualifying offers expire (unless extended by team in writing)
July 20
First potential salary arbitration hearing
August 4
Last potential salary arbitration hearing
August 6
4 p.m. CT – Deadline for salary arbitration decisions to be rendered
Who are potential buyout candidates this year?
At least this one: link to prohockeyrumors.com