Frequently Asked Questions about the NHL and Hockey

When does the NHL season start?

The 2023-24 NHL season began on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

When does the NHL season end?

The 2023-24 NHL regular season will end on April 18, 2024.

When do NHL playoffs start?

The 2024 NHL Playoffs will begin on April 22, 2024.

When is the NHL draft?

The 2023 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 28-29, 2023 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN.

When is the NHL trade deadline?

The 2024 NHL Trade Deadline will be on March 8, 2024.

When is the NHL expansion draft?

The most recent NHL Expansion Draft took place on July 21, 2021. The Seattle Kraken selected 30 players.

When does NHL free agency start?

NHL Free Agency began on July 1, 2023.

When is the NHL All-Star Game?

The 2024 NHL All-Star Game will take place on Saturday February 3, 2024 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

Who's the best player in the NHL?

Connor McDavid led the NHL in points in the 2022-23 season with 153. He scored 64 goals and contributed 89 assists.

Who's the best goalie in the NHL?

Linus Ullmark led the NHL in Goals Against Average (1.89), Save Percentage (.938), and Goals Saved Above Average (49) in 2022-23.

How many games in NHL season?

There are 82 games in an NHL season.

How many teams are in the NHL?

There are 32 teams in the NHL.

How many teams make the NHL playoffs?

There are 16 teams in the NHL playoffs each season. The top eight teams by points in each conference qualify.

How do NHL standings work?

The NHL standings rank teams by points. Teams earn two points for each win and one point for an overtime loss.

How does the NHL expansion draft work?

The most recent NHL Expansion Draft took place on July 21, 2021. The Seattle Kraken selected 30 players—one from each team (except for the Las Vegas Golden Knights).

How many players are on an NHL roster?

Each NHL team has a 23-player active roster. Teams can dress a maximum of 20 players (18 skaters and two goaltenders) per game.