NHL key dates
Tuesday: Stanley Cup playoffs begin
Aug. 25: Second round starts
Sept. 8: Conference finals begin
Sept. 22: Stanley Cup Final starts
Oct. 9: Free agency begins (or seven days after playoffs end, whichever comes first)
Oct. 9-10: NHL draft
Nov. 17: Training camps open
Dec. 1: 2020-21 season begins (last season began Oct. 2)
Jan. 1: Winter Classic at Target Field
