When does the 2022 NHL free agency start? Dates and times
Less than a month after the Avs won the Stanley Cup and a few days after the draft, free agency is coming up in the NHL offseason.
NHL teams are not done adding players after a draft that saw a great deal of talent get to the major league, as the league enters its free agency period. Some of the league’s best players are gonna choose where they want to play for the next few seasons, and how much that is going to cost each franchise.
When does it start?
The market to sign NHL free agents opens on Wednesday, July 13th, at noon Eastern Time. All of the unrestricted free agents have to wait until then to begin to negotiate their new contracts. For those teams seeking to reach an extension with a player who is already in their roster there are no such limitations, as they can sit with any of their upcoming UFAs and negotiate before the free agency period officially starts.
This also offers teams a chance to trade players who are going to be free agents before Wednesday, in case the receiving team is sure that it can reach a deal before free agency begins.
Dates to keep in mind
Monday, July 11
Qualifying offers due to Restricted Free Agents (5 p.m. ET)
Tuesday, July 12
Teams can contact RFAs for offer sheet discussion
First buyout window closes (5 p.m. ET)
Unrestricted Free Agents lose ability to re-sign for eight years (11:59 p.m. ET)
Wednesday, July 13
UFA/RFA signing period opens (12 p.m. ET)