2008-09 NHL Calendar

Sept. 20 — Preseason schedule begins.

Oct. 4-5 — NHL Premiere. Ottawa Senators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins at Stockholm, Sweden; New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning at Prague, Czech Republic.

Oct. 9 — 2008-09 NHL regular season begins in North America.

Nov. 8 — Hockey Hall of Fame Game, Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nov. 10. — Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Toronto.

Dec. 19-27 — Holiday roster freeze in effect. No waivers, trades and loans permitted.

Dec. 26-Jan. 5 — IIHF World Under 20 Championship, Ottawa.

Jan. 1 — NHL Winter Classic 2009. Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks, Wrigley Field, Chicago.

Jan 22-26 — All-Star break.

Jan. 24 — NHL SuperSkills Competition, Montreal.

Jan. 25 — NHL All-Star Game, Montreal.

March 3 — Trade deadline, 3 p.m. EST.

April 9-19 — IIHF Under 18 World Championship, Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn.

April 12 — Last day of 2008-09 regular season.

April 15 — Stanley Cup Playoffs begin.

April 24-May 10 — IIHF World Championship, Switzerland.

May 25-30 — NHL Combine, Toronto.

June 15 — Last possible day for Stanley Cup finals.

June 26-27 — NHL draft, Montreal.

July 1 — Free agency signing period begins.

July 5 — Deadline for player-elected salary arbitration.

July 6 — Deadline for club-elected salary arbitration.

July 10 — Deadline for eligible players to elect Group 5 free agency.

July 20-Aug. 4 — Salary arbitration hearings held.

Aug. 6 — Deadline for salary arbitration decisions to be rendered.