Buckle up, because we're in for a busy June.
Not only are Games 3-7 of the Stanley Cup Final scheduled over the first two weeks of the month (5-7 if necessary, of course), the addition of the Vegas Golden Knights will throw a few wrinkles into what's already a fairly active month on the offseason calendar.
Here's a look at key dates in June, with a hat tip to Cap Friendly:
June 1, 5 pm ET: Teams lose rights of certain unsigned drafted players.
Only a week away, here is the current list of drafted players whom their respective teams must sign by June 1, or lose their signing rights. pic.twitter.com/T65ePEqhbK
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) May 25, 2017
Later of June 15 OR 48 hours following completion of Stanley Cup Playoffs: First contract buyout period begins; deadline for first club-elected salary arbitration.
June 17, 5 pm ET: Expansion Draft protection lists submission deadline.
June 18, 10 am ET: Expansion Draft protection lists revealed to public.
June 18-21: Golden Knights can negotiate with and sign unrestricted free agents and unprotected restricted free agents.
June 21, 10 am ET: Vegas submits player selections
June 21, 8 pm ET: NHL Awards; Golden Knights roster released to public; unveiling of Adidas jerseys for all 31 teams.
June 23-24 - NHL Entry Draft.
June 25-30: UFAs granted permission to speak with other teams.
June 25, 5 pm ET: Deadline for qualifying offers.
June 26: RFAs granted permission to speak with other teams.
June 30, 5 pm ET: Setting of upper and lower salary-cap limits for 2017-18.
July 1, 12 pm ET: NHL free agency begins.
Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final is set for Wednesday in Pittsburgh, beginning what should prove to be quite the next 30 days.
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