2018 -- 19 NHL season - wikipedia 2018 -- 19 NHL season 2018 -- 19 NHL season League National Hockey League Sport Ice hockey Duration October 3, 2018 -- June 2019 Number of games 82 Number of teams 31 Draft Top draft pick Rasmus Dahlin Picked by Buffalo Sabres Regular season Playoffs Stanley Cup NHL seasons ← 2017 -- 18 2019 -- 20 → The 2018 -- 19 NHL season will be the 102nd season of operation ( 101st season of play ) of the National Hockey League. 31 teams will be competing in an 82 - game regular season. The regular season is scheduled to begin on October 3, 2018, and will end on April 6, 2019. The 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs will then begin a few days afterwards, with the Stanley Cup Finals held in early June. Contents 1 League business 1.1 Collective Bargaining Agreement 1.2 Salary cap 1.3 Rule changes 1.4 Media rights 1.5 Draft 1.6 Preseason games in China 2 Coaching changes 3 Front office changes 4 Arena changes 5 Regular season 5.1 International games 5.2 Outdoor games 5.3 All -- Star Game 6 Uniforms 7 See also 8 References 9 External links League business Collective bargaining agreement The current collective bargaining agreement ( CBA ) is in its seventh season. The NHL can chose to opt out of the CBA on September 1, 2019, or the NHLPA can choose to opt out of the CBA on September 19, 2019. Salary cap On December 9, 2017, the National Hockey League Players ' Association announced that the salary cap would be set at $79.5 million per team for the 2018 -- 19 season. Rule changes No major rule changes have been implemented this season. Media rights This is the eighth season under the NHL 's ten year U.S. rights deal with NBC Sports and fifth season of its twelve year Canadian rights deals with Sportsnet and TVA Sports. On December 20, 2017, CBC Sports and Rogers Communications struck an agreement to renew Hockey Night in Canada through the end of Rogers 's current broadcast contract. The two sides had previously reached an agreement to extend its original four - year agreement by an additional year. Draft The 2018 NHL Entry Draft was held June 22 and 23, 2018. The Buffalo Sabres, by virtue of winning the draft lottery on April 28, held the first overall selection, using it to select defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. Preseason games in China Two preseason games will be played in China. The Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins will play one game at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Center in Shenzhen on September 15, 2018 and another game at Cadillac Arena in Beijing on September 19, 2018. Coaching changes Coaching changes Off - season Team 2017 -- 18 coach 2018 -- 19 coach Story / Accomplishments Calgary Flames Glen Gulutzan Bill Peters Gulutzan was fired on April 17, following the Flames ' failure to make the playoffs. In two seasons, the Flames went 82 -- 68 -- 14 under Gulutzan. The Flames made the playoffs in Gulutzan 's first season with the team before missing out the following year. On April 23, Peters was named the Flames ' new head coach. He had coached the Carolina Hurricanes the previous four seasons. Carolina Hurricanes Bill Peters Rod Brind'Amour Peters resigned on April 20, following the Hurricanes ' failure to make the playoffs. Under Peters the Hurricanes went 137 -- 138 -- 53 and missed the playoffs in all four seasons. On May 8, Brind'Amour, who had spent the previous seven years as an assistant coach for the Hurricanes, was named the Hurricanes ' new head coach. Dallas Stars Ken Hitchcock Jim Montgomery Hitchcock retired from coaching on April 13, following the Stars ' failure to make the playoffs to become a consultant for the franchise. The Stars went 319 -- 186 -- 60 -- 20 under Hitchcock, winning the Stanley Cup in 1999, going back the following season, and winning the Presidents ' Trophy twice. On May 4, Montgomery was named the Stars ' new head coach. He led the Denver Pioneers to the 2017 NCAA championship. New York Islanders Doug Weight Barry Trotz Weight was relieved of his duties by the Islanders on June 5, a few weeks after the hiring of Lou Lamoriello as the president of hockey operations for the Islanders. The Islanders went 59 -- 49 -- 14 under Weight in his one - and - a-half seasons as head coach, never making the playoffs. Weight would remain with the Islanders. On June 21, Trotz was hired as head coach, and was previously the head coach of the Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 2018. New York Rangers Alain Vigneault David Quinn Vigneault was fired by the New York Rangers on April 7, hours after the team 's last regular season game after failing to make the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade and the second time since the 2004 -- 05 NHL lockout. The Rangers went 226 -- 147 -- 37 under Vigneault, going to the Finals in his first year as head coach and winning the Presidents ' Trophy the following season. On May 23, Quinn was named the Rangers ' new head coach. He previously served as the assistant coach for the Colorado Avalanche during the 2012 -- 13 season. Washington Capitals Barry Trotz Todd Reirden Trotz resigned on June 18 amid speculation of a contract dispute that neither he nor the Capitals confirmed. In four seasons under Trotz, the Capitals went 205 -- 89 -- 34, won two Presidents ' Trophies and won the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals. On June 29, Reirden was named head coach by the Capitals. Reirden, in his first NHL head coach position, had been an assistant with the Capitals for all four seasons under Trotz. Front office changes General managers Off - season Team 2017 -- 18 GM 2018 -- 19 GM Story / Accomplishments Minnesota Wild Chuck Fletcher Paul Fenton Fletcher was relieved of his duties by the Wild on April 23, shortly after their defeat in the first round of the playoffs. He had been the Wild 's general manager since the start of the 2009 -- 10 season. Fenton was hired as his replacement on May 21 ; he had previously held the same position with the American Hockey League 's Milwaukee Admirals. New York Islanders Garth Snow Lou Lamoriello Snow was relieved of his duties by the Islanders on June 5, a few weeks after the hiring of Lou Lamoriello as the president of hockey operations for the Islanders. He had been the Islanders ' general manager since the start of the 2006 -- 07 season. Lamoriello replaced Snow as the Islanders ' new general manager. Team presidents Off - season Team 2017 -- 18 President 2018 -- 19 President Story / Accomplishments Buffalo Sabres Russ Brandon Kim Pegula Brandon, who served as team president while concurrently serving a similar position with the Buffalo Bills, resigned from both positions on May 1, 2018. He had spent three years as the Sabres ' president. Pegula, the wife of owner Terrence Pegula, replaced Brandon in both positions, and became the only current female team president in the NHL. Arena changes The New York Islanders will move half of their home schedule back to their previous home, the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, after the Barclays Center proved to be unsuitable as a full - time NHL venue. The Islanders will continue to play the remaining half of their home schedule at the Barclays Center, an arrangement that will last until 2021, when Belmont Park Arena is scheduled to open. The St. Louis Blues ' home arena was renamed from Scottrade Center to Enterprise Center on July 1, 2018. The Toronto Maple Leafs ' home arena was renamed from the Air Canada Centre to Scotiabank Arena on July 1, 2018. Regular season The regular season will begin on October 3, 2018, and will end on April 6, 2019. Each team will receive a five - day `` bye week '', all of which will take place in mid-January. The regular season schedule was released on June 21. International games Three regular season games, branded as the NHL Global Series, will be played in Europe. The Edmonton Oilers will play against the New Jersey Devils at Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden on October 6, 2018. The Florida Panthers and Winnipeg Jets will play two games at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland on November 1 and 2, 2018. Outdoor games The Winter Classic will be held on January 1, 2019, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, and will feature the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins. The NHL Stadium Series will be held on February 23, 2019, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and will feature the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers. All -- Star game Main article : 2019 National Hockey League All - Star Game The 2019 National Hockey League All - Star Game will be held in San Jose, California, at SAP Center, home of the San Jose Sharks, on January 26, 2019, the first time it will be held on a Saturday after many years of the All - Star game being played on a Sunday. Uniforms The Anaheim Ducks will wear a new third jersey inspired by the uniforms from their years as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim from 1993 to 2006. The Arizona Coyotes will wear the `` Kachina '' uniform as the team 's new third jerseys. They previously used this design for road games from 1996 to 2003. The Carolina Hurricanes will wear a new black third jersey, which was inspired by the third uniform used from 2008 to 2017. The New Jersey Devils will wear third jerseys for the first time in franchise history with new white throwback uniforms similar to those worn from 1982 to 1992. The Philadelphia Flyers will wear black third jerseys, which were worn in the 2017 Stadium Series. The St. Louis Blues will wear third jerseys, which are based on the uniforms worn during the 2017 Winter Classic. See also 2018 -- 19 NHL transactions 2018 -- 19 NHL suspensions and fines List of 2018 -- 19 NHL Three Star Awards 2018 in sports 2019 in sports References Jump up ^ `` NHL Revenues Salary Cap Projected To Rise In 2018 -- 19 / c - 293815570 ''. NHL.com. Retrieved December 8, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Rogers and CBC Sign New 7 Year Deal For Hockey Night In Canada ''. Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved December 20, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Bruins, Flames will play in 2018 O.R.G. NHL China Games ''. NHL.com. May 2, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames to play two pre-season games in China ''. sportsnet.ca. May 2, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018. The Flames and Bruins will clash Sept. 15 in Shenzhen and Sept. 19 in Beijing. Jump up ^ `` FLAMES RELIEVE THREE COACHES OF DUTIES ''. NHL.com. April 17, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018. Jump up ^ `` FLAMES NAME BILL PETERS HEAD COACH ''. NHL.com. April 23, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018. Jump up ^ Terry, Miles ( April 20, 2018 ). `` Bill Peters Resigns Position as Head Coach ''. NHL.com. Retrieved April 20, 2018. Jump up ^ Williams, Terrell ( May 8, 2018 ). `` Hurricanes Name Rod Brind'Amour as Head Coach ''. NHL.com. Retrieved May 8, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Stars head coach Ken Hitchcock announces retirement ''. NHL.com. April 13, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Dallas Stars dip into college ranks to get their new head coach ''. Fort Worth Star - Telegram. May 4, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Islanders fire GM Garth Snow, head coach Doug Weight ''. ESPN. June 5, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Trotz Named Head Coach ''. NHL.com. June 21, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Alain Vigneault Fired From Rangers ''. NYTimes.com. April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018. Jump up ^ `` David Quinn Named Rangers Head Coach ''. NHL.com. May 23, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2018. Jump up ^ Gulitti, Tom ( June 18, 2018 ). `` Trotz, Capitals will know his worth soon enough ''. NHL.com. Retrieved June 19, 2018. Jump up ^ Gulitti, Tom ( June 18, 2018 ). `` Trotz leaves as coach of Capitals ''. NHL.com. Retrieved June 19, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Capitals Name Todd Reirden Head Coach ''. NHL.com. June 29, 2018. Retrieved July 2, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Wild not renewing GM Chuck Fletcher 's deal after quick playoff exit ''. CBC. April 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Wild Hire Predators Assistant Paul Fenton as New GM ''. Associated Press. May 21, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Islanders fire GM Garth Snow, head coach Doug Weight ''. ESPN. June 5, 2018. Jump up ^ Graham, Tim ( May 1, 2018 ). `` Russ Brandon resigns from Bills, Sabres after internal investigation ''. The Buffalo News. Retrieved June 8, 2018. Jump up ^ Compton, Brian ( January 29, 2018 ). `` Islanders to play 12 games at Nassau Coliseum in 2018 - 19 ''. NHL.com. Retrieved June 22, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Enterprise Awarded Naming Rights Of Blues Arena ''. Fox2Now.com. May 21, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2018. Jump up ^ Krashinsky Robertson, Susan ; Bradshaw, James ; Gray, Jeff ( August 29, 2017 ). `` Toronto 's Air Canada Centre to be renamed Scotiabank Arena in $800 - million deal ''. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 20, 2018. Jump up ^ `` 2018 - 19 NHL home openers ''. NHL.com. Retrieved 20 June 2018. Jump up ^ `` 2018 - 19 NHL schedule released ''. NHL.com. Retrieved 21 June 2018. Jump up ^ `` NHL to play games in Sweden, Finland, China next season ''. NHL.com. January 28, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018. Jump up ^ `` NHL announces 2018 Global Series dates, locations, ticket information ''. NHL.com. March 6, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Bruins To Play Blackhawks In 2019 Winter Classic At Notre Dame Stadium ''. November 18, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series Announced ''. November 19, 2017. Retrieved November 19, 2017. Jump up ^ `` NHL moves up All - Star skills competition, game in 2019 ''. Associated Press. ESPN. April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018. Jump up ^ Rosen, Dan ( January 27, 2018 ). `` 2019 NHL All - Star Game to be held at San Jose ''. Retrieved January 27, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Ducks Unveil 2018 - 19 Third Jersey for 25th Anniversary Season ''. NHL.com. July 21, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018. Jump up ^ Gretz, Adam ( June 22, 2018 ). `` Coyotes go retro, Hurricanes get new look with third jerseys ''. ProHockeyTalk. Retrieved June 25, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Carolina Hurricanes unveil new third jersey for 2018 - 19 NHL season ''. Sportsnet.ca. June 22, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2018. Jump up ^ Johnston, Mike ( August 21, 2018 ). `` New Jersey Devils unveil old - school alternate uniforms ''. sportsnet.ca. Retrieved August 26, 2018. Jump up ^ Johnston, Mike ( July 26, 2018 ). `` Flyers reintroducing all - black third jerseys for 2018 - 19 season ''. sportsnet.ca. Retrieved August 26, 2018. Jump up ^ Pinkert, Chris ( August 27, 2018 ). `` Blues pay tribute to team heritage with third jersey ''. NHL.com. Retrieved August 28, 2018. External links 2018 -- 19 NHL season schedule NHL seasons 1910s 1917 -- 18 1918 -- 19 1919 -- 20 1920s 1920 -- 21 1921 -- 22 1922 -- 23 1923 -- 24 1924 -- 25 1925 -- 26 1926 -- 27 1927 -- 28 1928 -- 29 1929 -- 30 1930s 1930 -- 31 1931 -- 32 1932 -- 33 1933 -- 34 1934 -- 35 1935 -- 36 1936 -- 37 1937 -- 38 1938 -- 39 1939 -- 40 1940s 1940 -- 41 1941 -- 42 1942 -- 43 1943 -- 44 1944 -- 45 1945 -- 46 1946 -- 47 1947 -- 48 1948 -- 49 1949 -- 50 1950s 1950 -- 51 1951 -- 52 1952 -- 53 1953 -- 54 1954 -- 55 1955 -- 56 1956 -- 57 1957 -- 58 1958 -- 59 1959 -- 60 1960s 1960 -- 61 1961 -- 62 1962 -- 63 1963 -- 64 1964 -- 65 1965 -- 66 1966 -- 67 1967 -- 68 1968 -- 69 1969 -- 70 1970s 1970 -- 71 1971 -- 72 1972 -- 73 1973 -- 74 1974 -- 75 1975 -- 76 1976 -- 77 1977 -- 78 1978 -- 79 1979 -- 80 1980s 1980 -- 81 1981 -- 82 1982 -- 83 1983 -- 84 1984 -- 85 1985 -- 86 1986 -- 87 1987 -- 88 1988 -- 89 1989 -- 90 1990s 1990 -- 91 1991 -- 92 1992 -- 93 1993 -- 94 1994 -- 95 1995 -- 96 1996 -- 97 1997 -- 98 1998 -- 99 1999 -- 00 2000s 2000 -- 01 2001 -- 02 2002 -- 03 2003 -- 04 2004 -- 05 2005 -- 06 2006 -- 07 2007 -- 08 2008 -- 09 2009 -- 10 2010s 2010 -- 11 2011 -- 12 2012 -- 13 2013 -- 14 2014 -- 15 2015 -- 16 2016 -- 17 2017 -- 18 2018 -- 19 The 2004 -- 05 season was cancelled due to a lockout. 2018 -- 19 NHL season Pacific Anaheim Ducks Arizona Coyotes Calgary Flames Edmonton Oilers Los Angeles Kings San Jose Sharks Vancouver Canucks Vegas Golden Knights Central Chicago Blackhawks Colorado Avalanche Dallas Stars Minnesota Wild Nashville Predators St. Louis Blues Winnipeg Jets Atlantic Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Detroit Red Wings Florida Panthers Montreal Canadiens Ottawa Senators Tampa Bay Lightning Toronto Maple Leafs Metropolitan Carolina Hurricanes Columbus Blue Jackets New Jersey Devils New York Islanders New York Rangers Philadelphia Flyers Pittsburgh Penguins Washington Capitals See also Draft Winter Classic All - Star Game Stadium Series Stanley Cup playoffs Stanley Cup Finals Transactions Three Star Awards Suspensions and fines 2018 -- 19 in men 's ice hockey International World Championships Championship Rosters Group A Group B Playoff round Final Division I Division II Division III Under - 20 Division I Division II Division III Under - 18 Division I Division II Division III Leagues International National Hockey League AHL ECHL Kontinental Hockey League Champions Hockey League Continental Cup Austria League Asia League MOL Liga Domestic Australia ' 18 ' 19 Belarus Czech Republic 2nd tier Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany 2nd tier Italy Latvia Norway 2nd tier Poland Slovakia Sweden 2nd tier Switzerland 2nd tier Ukraine United Kingdom Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2018 -- 19_NHL_season&oldid = 856932197 '' Categories : 2018 -- 19 NHL season 2018 -- 19 in American ice hockey by league 2018 -- 19 in Canadian ice hockey by league Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Français Polski Русский Edit links This page was last edited on 28 August 2018, at 13 : 22 ( UTC ). 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Question: when does the new season of nhl start
Answer: October 3, 2018