The National Hockey League's 2016-17 regular-season schedule has been released, featuring four outdoor games, two of which will be played on consecutive days to begin January.
Related: 2016-17 home openers announced, Penguins to host Capitals
Here's a look at other key dates to look forward to over the course of the dog days of summer.
Stanley Cup Final rematch
'Sup, coach?
Randy Carlyle, Mike Yeo, and Bruce Boudreau all have new coaching gigs, meaning return dates to their former stomping grounds.
Fired coaches return dates:
— Mike Halford (@HalfordPHT) June 21, 2016
Boudreau back to Anaheim on Jan. 8.
Yeo back to Minny on Nov. 26.
Carlyle back to Toronto on Dec. 19.
A meeting of generational talents
The next ones
Phil returns a champion
Welcome to Rogers Place
Farewell to "The Joe"
Take it outside
Finally, here are other relevant dates to circle:
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Mark your calendars, because hockey will be back before we know it.
The NHL released the complete 2016-17 regular-season schedule Tuesday, with plenty of dates to look forward to, beginning with four outdoor games:
The season will begin later than usual thanks to the World Cup of Hockey, with four games set for opening night on Oct. 12.
The regular-season schedule will pause from Jan. 27-30 for the 2017 NHL All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, while 10 contests are scheduled for the last day of the season (April 9), including the Detroit Red Wings' final game at Joe Louis Arena.
The NHL trade deadline will be on February 28th, at 3pm (40th day immediately preceding the final day of the Regular Season)
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 21, 2016
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Vincent Lecavalier is hanging up his skates after 17 NHL seasons.
The 36-year-old center officially announced his retirement from professional hockey Tuesday, offering the following statement through the Los Angeles Kings:
Hockey has provided me so much in my lifetime but requires an incredible commitment. It is now time for me to devote more time to my family.
Hockey is the greatest team sport in the world. There is nothing like sharing a locker room with your teammates and competing together day in and day out. I have made lifelong friends and I’d like to thank them for making this an unforgettable journey … Thank you
Drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1998, Lecavalier appeared in 1,212 career games, the majority of which were with the Florida-based club. He ends his career as Tampa Bay's leader in games played (1,037) and goals (383), and was an integral part of the team's Stanley Cup win in 2004.
After the Lightning bought out his contract following the 2013 lockout, he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers, recording 20 goals and 58 points in 133 games.
Lecavalier declared his intention to retire after being traded to the Los Angeles Kings this past season. The move was agreed to as Lecavalier looked to go out on top as a Stanley Cup champion, but the Kings' playoff run came to an abrupt end thanks to a first-round loss at the hands of the San Jose Sharks.
He mentioned both the Lightning and Kings in his statement:
Thank you to the Tampa Bay Lightning for drafting me and providing me the opportunity to embark on my NHL career. I will never forget winning the Cup together in 2004, and the incredible support from Lightning fans. To the LA Kings, thank you for providing me the opportunity to finish my career on a positive note.
The decision will save both the Kings and Flyers a significant amount against the salary cap:
Vincent Lecavalier retiring will free up $2,250,000 in each of the next 2 years for both the #Kings & the #Flyers.
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 21, 2016
Lecavalier himself will also continue to earn salary from the Lightning as part of the aforementioned buyout.
Lecavalier will finish with estimated $133,383,334 in career earnings, averaging $4,599,425 annually over 29 years. pic.twitter.com/yoCRG1NsZ4
— General Fanager (@generalfanager) June 21, 2016
Altogether, Lecavalier scored 421 goals and added 528 assists in the regular season, while adding 26 goals and 30 assists in 75 playoff games.
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Tim Murray certainly has a way with words.
The Buffalo Sabres general manager, who acquired the rights to free agent forward Jimmy Vesey on Monday, creatively expressed his plan to use fellow college standout and good friend Jack Eichel in the recruiting process.
"I'd be a tool not to," Murray told reporters Tuesday.
Murray added he has no problem with Vesey's agent saying his client still intends to explore all options on the open market, adding he fully expected them to say exactly that.
Both Eichel and Vesey are represented by the same agent, and have been skating together in Massachusetts in the offseason.
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The Winnipeg Jets have signed goalie Michael Hutchinson to a two-year contract worth $2.3 million.
The 26-year-old, who was scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer, will carry an average annual valuation of $1.15 million through 2017-18.
Winnipeg also has goalies Ondrej Pavelec ($3.9 million) and Connor Hellebuyck ($667,500) under contract for next season, according to General Fanager.
Selected in the third round (77th overall) at the 2008 NHL Draft, Hutchinson has appeared in 71 games with the Jets, posting a 32-36-8 record with a .912 save percentage.
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