Following yesterday’s home openers reveal, the NHL on Tuesday announced its full 1,230-game regular season schedule for the 2016-17 campaign.
Five key takeaways from today’s announcement:
1. It’s condensed, and tightly-packed
September’s World Cup of Hockey will result in a later-than-usual start to the regular season, and the implementation of “bye weeks” -- see more on those here -- makes for some pretty compressed parts of the schedule.
Not sure "bye week" fight accomplishes NHLPA's R&R wish when sched is so condensed. #mnwild not even allowed to practice b4 sched resumes
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 21, 2016
2. The celebratory stuff
The Maple Leafs are celebrating their 100th season by hosting the first-ever NHL Centennial Classic, an outdoor game on Jan. 1 at BMO Field against the Red Wings.
Speaking of those Red Wings, they’ll be commemorating their final season at Joe Louis Arena with 18 home dates against Original Six opponents.
The Kings are celebrating their 50th anniversary by hosting the 2017 NHL All-Star Game at Staples Center, while the Blues are celebrating their 50th by hosting the Winter Classic at Busch Stadium against the Blackhawks.
The Penguins and Flyers are also heading into their respective 50th anniversary seasons, and will face off in a Stadium Series game at Heinz Field on Saturday, Feb. 25.
3. Noteworthy contests
-- Stanley Cup Final rematch between the Penguins and Sharks will go on Thursday, Oct. 20 from Consol.
-- The Heritage Classic between the Jets and Oilers, to be played outdoors at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg, is on Sunday, Oct. 23.
-- Edmonton’s first game at its new rink, Rogers Place, will be against provincial rival Calgary on opening night (Wednesday, Oct. 12).
-- Detroit’s last-ever regular season game at the Joe will be against the Devils on Sunday, Apr. 9.
4. Dates and breaks
Opening night is Oct. 12, and the final day of the regular season is Apr. 9.
Christmas Break is from Dec. 24-26, and the All-Star Break is from Jan.27-30.
The trade deadline, per Cap Friendly, is Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. ET.
The league’s annual “Black Friday” showcase is loaded up, an 11-game slate including matinees between the Rangers-Flyers, Penguins-Wild, ‘Hawks-Ducks and Isles-Sharks.
5. Reunions
-- New Minnesota head coach Bruce Boudreau returns to Anaheim for the first since being fired on Jan. 8, when the Wild take on the Ducks at Honda.
-- Old Minnesota head coach Mike Yeo, now the Blues’ bench-boss-in-waiting, returns to Xcel for the first time since being fired on Nov. 26, when St. Louis takes on the Wild.
-- Randy Carlyle goes back to Toronto on Monday, Dec. 19 when the Ducks take on the Leafs at the ACC.
Related: Penguins to raise Stanley Cup banner against Ovi and the Caps