Here are some key dates to keep in mind over the next few months with regards to the NHL, the Buffalo Sabres and the sport of hockey at large.
Monday, May 8
NHL Draft Lottery – 8 p.m. ET
May 12-28
2023 IIHF Men’s World Championships
Tampere, Finland & Riga, Latvia
So far, we know at least a few Sabres will be participating: Alex Tuch, Jack Quinn, Devon Levi and Peyton Krebs.
May 28-June 4
CHL Memorial Cup
Kamloops, B.C.
June 4-10
NHL Scouting Combine
Buffalo, NY
Note: this event is not open to the public.
June 15 or 48 hours after Stanley Cup Final ends (whichever is later)
Buyout period begins
Monday, June 19
Last possible day of the Stanley Cup Final
Deadline for first club-elected salary arbitration notification
Monday, June 26
NHL Awards
Nashville, TN
Tuesday, June 27
NHL General Managers’ Meeting
June 28-29
NHL Draft
Nashville, TN
Friday, June 30
Buyout period ends
Saturday, July 1
Free agency opens – 12 noon ET
As of writing, Kyle Okposo, Zemgus Girgensons & Vinnie Hinostroza will become UFAs. Tyson Jost & Kale Clague will be RFAs.
From the Amerks: Malcolm Subban, Michael Houser, Sean Malone & Lawrence Pilut will be UFAs. Joseph Cecconi, Jeremy Davies and Austin Strand will be Group 6 UFAs. Linus Weissbach, Lukas Rousek, Matej Pekar and Brett Murray will be RFAs.
Wednesday, July 5
Deadline for player-elected salary arbitration notification (5 p.m. ET)
Thursday, July 6
Deadline for second club-elected salary arbitration notification
July 20-August 4
Salary arbitration hearings (decisions due August 6)
Training camp is expected to begin in mid-to-late September, with preseason to follow. The regular season will then begin in mid-October.