The National Hockey League's 2016-17 regular-season schedule has been released, featuring four outdoor games, two of which will be played on consecutive days to begin January.

Related: 2016-17 home openers announced, Penguins to host Capitals

Here's a look at other key dates to look forward to over the course of the dog days of summer.

Stanley Cup Final rematch

• The Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks will renew acquaintances early in the season, with the Stanley Cup finalists meeting twice in the season's opening weeks (Oct. 20 @ Pittsburgh, Nov. 5 @ San Jose). The championship banner will have already been raised to the roof for the Sharks to gaze upon.

'Sup, coach?

Randy Carlyle, Mike Yeo, and Bruce Boudreau all have new coaching gigs, meaning return dates to their former stomping grounds.

A meeting of generational talents

• Due to respective injuries suffered by both players, the hockey world was robbed of a Sidney Crosby / Connor McDavid showdown in the latter's rookie season. Health permitting, their first meeting will come Nov. 8, when the Oilers are scheduled to visit the Penguins.

The next ones

• Patrick Laine believes he should be selected first overall, and he'll get a chance to show why when he takes on the likely top selection in Auston Matthews. Their first head-to-head is expected to take place Oct. 19 when the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the Winnipeg Jets.

Phil returns a champion

• When Phil Kessel returned to Toronto for the first time since being traded by the Maple Leafs, he received a smattering of boos and no video tribute. On Dec. 17, he'll visit the Air Canada Centre as a Cup champion. Hot dogs for everyone!

Welcome to Rogers Place

• The Edmonton Oilers begin the 2016-17 season at their new home rink - Rogers Place - with an opening night tilt against rival Calgary Flames.

Farewell to "The Joe"

• At the other end of the spectrum, the Detroit Red Wings will play their final regular-season game at Joe Louis Arena on April 9 against the visiting New Jersey Devils. The Red Wings will call Little Caesars Arena home beginning in 2017-18.

Take it outside

• Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic: Edmonton Oilers at Winnipeg Jets, Oct. 23, 2016.
• NHL Centennial Classic: Detroit Red Wings at Toronto Maple Leafs, Jan. 1, 2017.
• Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic: Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues, Jan. 2, 2017.
• Coors Light NHL Stadium Series: Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins, Feb. 18, 2017.

Finally, here are other relevant dates to circle:

• Opening night: Wednesday, Oct. 12
• Christmas Break: Saturday, Dec. 24 - Monday, Dec. 26
• All-Star Break: Friday, Jan. 27 - Monday, Jan. 30
• Trade deadline: Tuesday, Feb. 28
• Last Day of Regular Season: Sunday, April 9

Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.