The Washington Capitals are hoping that improved forward depth will be the difference going forward.

General manager Brian MacLellan spoke to reporters on Tuesday stating he would like to upgrade the team's bottom-six forwards, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.

MacLellan admitted that the team could do so in a number of ways including via free agency or through trade. The club's top-six fared admirably this past season with seven forwards hitting the 20-goal plateau.

In addition to adding to the team's bottom forwards, Washington also has four restricted free agents to contend with in Marcus Johansson, Dmitry Orlov, Tom Wilson, and Michael Latta, all who MacLellan plans on giving qualifying offers, according to CSN's Chuck Gormley.

Jason Chimera - who largely occupied the team's third line - will also become an unrestricted free agent and though MacLellan would like to retain him, it might not be that easy.

"Would love to have him back," MacLellan said of Chimera, according to Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press. "I think a lot of timing is going to have to fall into place for us to have him back."

The Capitals will have roughly $13 million in cap space to do all this, according to General Fanager.

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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

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Mark your calendars, because hockey will be back before we know it.

The NHL released the complete 2016-17 regular-season schedule Tuesday, with plenty of dates to look forward to, beginning with four outdoor games:

• 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.

The season will begin later than usual thanks to the World Cup of Hockey, with four games set for opening night on Oct. 12.

The regular-season schedule will pause from Jan. 27-30 for the 2017 NHL All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, while 10 contests are scheduled for the last day of the season (April 9), including the Detroit Red Wings' final game at Joe Louis Arena.

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Vincent Lecavalier is hanging up his skates after 17 NHL seasons.

The 36-year-old center officially announced his retirement from professional hockey Tuesday, offering the following statement through the Los Angeles Kings:

Hockey has provided me so much in my lifetime but requires an incredible commitment. It is now time for me to devote more time to my family.

Hockey is the greatest team sport in the world. There is nothing like sharing a locker room with your teammates and competing together day in and day out. I have made lifelong friends and I’d like to thank them for making this an unforgettable journey … Thank you

Drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1998, Lecavalier appeared in 1,212 career games, the majority of which were with the Florida-based club. He ends his career as Tampa Bay's leader in games played (1,037) and goals (383), and was an integral part of the team's Stanley Cup win in 2004.

After the Lightning bought out his contract following the 2013 lockout, he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers, recording 20 goals and 58 points in 133 games.

Lecavalier declared his intention to retire after being traded to the Los Angeles Kings this past season. The move was agreed to as Lecavalier looked to go out on top as a Stanley Cup champion, but the Kings' playoff run came to an abrupt end thanks to a first-round loss at the hands of the San Jose Sharks.

He mentioned both the Lightning and Kings in his statement:

Thank you to the Tampa Bay Lightning for drafting me and providing me the opportunity to embark on my NHL career. I will never forget winning the Cup together in 2004, and the incredible support from Lightning fans. To the LA Kings, thank you for providing me the opportunity to finish my career on a positive note.

The decision will save both the Kings and Flyers a significant amount against the salary cap:

Lecavalier himself will also continue to earn salary from the Lightning as part of the aforementioned buyout.

Altogether, Lecavalier scored 421 goals and added 528 assists in the regular season, while adding 26 goals and 30 assists in 75 playoff games.

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Tim Murray certainly has a way with words.

The Buffalo Sabres general manager, who acquired the rights to free agent forward Jimmy Vesey on Monday, creatively expressed his plan to use fellow college standout and good friend Jack Eichel in the recruiting process.

"I'd be a tool not to," Murray told reporters Tuesday.

Murray added he has no problem with Vesey's agent saying his client still intends to explore all options on the open market, adding he fully expected them to say exactly that.

Both Eichel and Vesey are represented by the same agent, and have been skating together in Massachusetts in the offseason.

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