The following calendar outlines key dates for NHL fans heading into the 2012-13 season.
July 20-Aug. 4
Salary arbitration hearings
Sept. 15
NHL/NHLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement expires
Oct. 11
Regular season begins:
– New-look Montreal Canadiens make home opener vs. Ottawa Senators
– Bob Hartley makes Calgary Flames coaching debut in home opener vs. Vancouver Canucks
Oct. 12
–Toronto Maple Leafs hold home opener vs. rival Montreal Canadiens
–Jordan Staal debuts for Carolina and takes on the Winnipeg Jets in their home opener
Oct. 13
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vancouver Canucks: home opener for new starting goaltenderCory Schneider
Oct. 16
Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers in what could be Nail Yakupov‘s home debut
Oct. 27
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Philadelphia Flyers: Luke Schenn vs. James van Riemsdyk for the first time in their new uniforms
Nov. 11
Zach Parise makes return to New Jersey to take on the Devils
Nov. 12
Hockey Hall of Fame inductions
Nov. 23
Jordan Staal returns to Pittsburgh for first time as member of Hurricanes
Dec. 1
Minnesota Wild vs. Nashville Predators: Ryan Suter’s first game back in Nashville
Jan. 1
Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings
Jan. 24-28
All-Star Weekend in Columbus
April 5
New York Rangers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets: Rick Nash makes return to Columbus
April 13
Last day of regular season
June 28-29
2013 NHL Draft hosted in New Jersey
