The 2025-26 NHL season is more than halfway complete and plenty will be happening down the stretch.
The biggest event will be overseas as the league shuts down to send its players to the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014. Games will be played in Milan, Italy.
After the Olympics, it's a quick turnaround to the NHL trade deadline, then teams have more than a month to position themselves for a playoff spot. The playoffs open on April 18.
Here is a look at the key dates for the remainder of the 2025-26 NHL season, including the Olympic break and trade deadline:
When is the Stadium Series game?
The Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins outdoors on Feb. 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Raymond James Stadium, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET.
When is the Olympic break?
The NHL will take a break from Feb. 6-24 for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. There are seven games on the schedule on Feb. 5. No trades can take place during the Olympic break.
When is the Olympic men's hockey tournament?
The tournament starts on Feb. 11 with two games. The USA opens play on Feb. 12 against Latvia. All teams will play three games during the round robin, which runs through Feb. 15. The three group winners and the best second-place team get byes to the quarterfinals.
Playoff qualification games are on Feb. 17 for teams ranked fifth through 12th, quarterfinals are Feb. 18 and semifinals are Feb. 20.
The bronze medal game is Feb. 21 and the gold medal game is Sunday, Feb. 22.
When does the NHL resume play after the Olympics?
Play resumes on Feb. 25 with eight games.
When is the NHL trade deadline?
The NHL trade deadline will be at 3 p.m. ET on March 6.
When does the NHL regular season end?
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end with six games on April 16.
When do the NHL playoffs begin?
The Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on April 18.
When is the NHL draft lottery?
The date of the NHL draft lottery is to be determined.
When is the last possible day of the Stanley Cup Final?
The last possible day is June 21.
When is the NHL draft?
The NHL draft will be June 26-27 at Buffalo's KeyBank Center. Top prospects will be there, but general managers will work remotely, just like last year.
When does NHL free agency begin?
NHL free agency begins at noon ET on July 1.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When is NHL Olympic break, trade deadline? Key 2025-26 dates