As hockey season winds down in the coming weeks, it is time to look ahead to the NHL offseason. Here are some key offseason dates to keep in mind as we approach the end of hockey season:

Projected Dates (based on previous offseasons)

Monday, June 25-Sunday, June 30 – Capitals Development Camp (Fan Fest Likely Wednesday, June 27)

Saturday, September 7-Tuesday, September 10 – Capitals Prospect Camp/Rookie Tournament in Estero, Florida

Friday, September 13 – Capitals Media Day/Training Camp Begins

Sunday, September 15 – NHL Preseason Begins

Wednesday, October 2 – Opening Night Of 2019-20 NHL Season

Official Dates

Monday, May 27-Saturday, June 1 – 2019 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, New York

Wednesday, June 12 – Last Possible Day of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final

Saturday, June 15-Sunday, June 30 – Buyout Period

Wednesday, June 19 – 2019 NHL Awards at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada

Thursday, June 20 – 2019 NHL General Manager Meetings in Vancouver, British Columbia

Friday, June 21 – NHL Home Openers Announced For 2019-20 Season

Friday, June 21-Saturday, June 22 – 2019 NHL Draft At Rogers Arena In Vancouver

Sunday, June 23-Sunday, June 30 – Window For Pending Unrestricted Free Agents To Talk To Other Teams

Monday, June 25 – Deadline To Extend Qualifying Offers To Pending Restricted Free Agents At 5 PM ET; 2019 Hockey Hall Of Fame Inductees Announced; 2019-20 NHL Schedule Release

Tuesday, June 26-Sunday, June 30 – Window For Pending Restricted Free Agents To Talk To Other Teams

Monday, July 1 – Free Agency Opens At 12 PM ET

Friday, July 5 – Deadline For Players To File For Salary Arbitration At 5 PM ET

Saturday, July 6 – Deadline For Teams To File For Salary Arbitration At 5 PM ET

Saturday, July 20-Sunday, August 4 – Salary Arbitration Hearings Held In Toronto, Ontario

Thursday, August 15 – Unrestricted Free Agency For NCAA Players Opens

By Harrison Brown