Key dates for the upcoming season, the latest injury updates, contract signings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
KEY DATES FOR THE NHL’S 2024-25 SEASON
SPORTSNET: The NHL released several key dates for the 2024-25 season.
Oct. 1: NHL Board of Governors meeting (New York)
Oct. 4-5: NHL Global Series in Prague (Sabres vs. Devils)
Oct. 8: Opening night
Oct. 22: NHL Frozen Frenzy: All 32 teams in action
Nov. 1-2: NHL Global Series in Tampere, Finland (Stars vs. Panthers)
Dec. 9-10: NHL Board of Governors meeting
Feb. 10-21: Season paused for 4 Nations Face-Off
March 7: Trade deadline (3 p.m. ET)
April 17: Final day of the regular season
April 19: Stanley Cup Playoffs begin
June 23: Last possible day for Stanley Cup Playoffs
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 4 Nations Face-Off pushes the playoff schedule later into the calendar. Expect the same thing for 2025-26 when the league shuts down for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The league’s annual holiday roster freeze will be Dec. 20 to 27.
The dates for the 2025 Draft Lottery, the NHL Awards, and the NHL Draft will likely be announced at some point next year. The best guess for the Awards is June 26 with the draft being held on June 28-29. Free agency will begin as usual on July 1.
INJURY UPDATES
CBS SPORTS: Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse continues to be hampered by an undisclosed injury suffered last season. Nurse, 29, could miss the start of training camp and the Oilers’ first preseason game but is expected to be ready for their season opener next month.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Flyers blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen took part in a recent skate with several teammates. He seems fully recovered from his season-ending triceps injury. He was sidelined on Feb. 10 and underwent surgery on Apr. 18.
NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: Blackhawks rookie Artyom Levshunov injured his right foot and is unavailable for the 2024 Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase in St. Louis.
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse (NHL Images).
ALL CITY NETWORK’s Craig Morgan reports Utah HC prospect Tij Iginla is listed as day-to-day after being evaluated for a lower-body injury.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins prospect Tanner Howe suffered a facial injury and is listed as day-to-day. He’s been scratched from the upcoming Prospects Challenge in Buffalo.
CONTRACT SIGNINGS
TSN: Max Pacioretty signed a professional tryout offer (PTO) with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 35-year-old left winger is expected to sign with the club before the start of the upcoming season.
TORONTO SUN: The Leafs also signed defenseman Jani Hakanpaa. The 32-year-old former Dallas Stars defender agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.47 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hakanpaa originally signed with the Leafs on July 1 but the deal was never formally announced or went on the Leafs’ salary cap amid concerns over a knee injury. This deal is shorter but the amount is reportedly close to the original’s average annual value.
DAILY FACEOFF: Former Seattle Kraken winger Kailer Yamamoto signed a PTO with Utah HC.
The Anaheim Ducks are bringing defensemen Boris Katchouk, Mark Pysyk, and Gustav Lindstrom to training camp on PTO contracts.
Defenseman Madison Bowey is reportedly signing a PTO with the New York Rangers. He spent last season in the KHL.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Pierre-Marc Bellemare is returning to the Avalanche on a PTO. The 39-year-old center played for the Avs from 2019-20 to 2020-21.
IN OTHER NEWS
WINNIPEG SUN: Cole Perfetti remains hopeful of having a new contract in place with the Jets before training camp opens next week.
“Our side is working on a deal with them,” said the 22-year-old center. “We’re obviously positive something’s going to get done. Our groups are working hard together to figure something out. At this point, I want to be there.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s been speculation whether another club might sign Perfetti to an offer sheet. His remarks suggest he hasn’t received one and doesn’t seem interested in an offer from another club.
TVA SPORTS: The Montreal Canadiens will honor former captain Shea Weber in a pregame ceremony at the Bell Centre on Nov. 16.
Weber was acquired by the Canadiens from the Nashville Predators in 2016 and was team captain from 2018 to 2021.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Injuries ended Weber’s playing career following the 2021 playoffs. He hasn’t officially retired but remains on permanent long-term injury reserve (LTIR) until his contract expires in 2026. The Canadiens traded his contract to the Arizona Coyotes (now the Utah Hockey Club) on Feb 22, 2023.
RG.ORG: Speaking of the Canadiens, prospect goaltender Jacob Fowler is learning French in anticipation of playing for Montreal one day. A high-profile prospect, the 19-year-old Fowler will return with the NCAA’s Boston College Eagles this season.