Frequently Asked Questions about the NHL and Hockey

When does the NHL season start?

The 2025-26 NHL season began on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

When does the NHL season end?

The 2025-26 NHL regular season ended on April 16, 2026.

When do NHL playoffs start?

The 2026 NHL Playoffs began on April 18, 2025.

When is the NHL draft?

The 2026 NHL Entry Draft will take place on June 26-27, 2026.

When is the NHL trade deadline?

The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline was on March 6, 2026.

When is the NHL expansion draft?

The most recent NHL Expansion Draft took place on July 21, 2021. The Seattle Kraken selected 30 players.

When does NHL free agency start?

NHL Free Agency will begin on July 1, 2026.

When is the NHL All-Star Game?

There was no NHL All-Star Game in 2026. The league paused from February 6 to February 24, 2026 for the Winter Olympics.

Who's the best player in the NHL?

Connor McDavid led the NHL in points in the 2025-26 season with 138. He scored 48 goals and contributed 90 assists.

Who's the best goalie in the NHL?

In 2025-26 Scott Wedgewood led the NHL in Goals Saved Above Average (28) and Save Percentage (.921), and co-won the 2026 William M. Jennings Trophy

How many games in NHL season?

There are 82 games in an NHL season.

How many teams are in the NHL?

There are 32 teams in the NHL.

How many teams make the NHL playoffs?

There are 16 teams in the NHL playoffs each season. The top eight teams by points in each conference qualify.

How do NHL standings work?

The NHL standings rank teams by points. Teams earn two points for each win and one point for an overtime loss.

How does the NHL expansion draft work?

The most recent NHL Expansion Draft took place on July 21, 2021. The Seattle Kraken selected 30 players—one from each team (except for the Las Vegas Golden Knights).

How many players are on an NHL roster?

Each NHL team has a 23-player active roster. Teams can dress a maximum of 20 players (18 skaters and two goaltenders) per game.