Publication of the NHL time plan: What you can see next season, from Matthew Schaefer to more Alex Ovechkin

The NHL released its 2025-26 schedule on Wednesday, 1,312 games that will be played from October 7, 16 before the chase for the Stanley Cup.

There will soon be 1,344, each of the 32 teams in the league playing 84 games from 2026-27. But until that happens, here is a look at some of the best hockey that has to offer in the next season:

Schaefer's debut?

No. 1 Draft Pick Matthew Schaefer is not sure to get the New York insulans out of the training camp. If he does this, Schaefer would be in line to give his NHL debut on October 9 in Pittsburgh against Sidney Crosby and the penguins.

Crosby, 38, entered his 21st season. Schaefer only turns 18 than a month before the opening evening.

Schaefer would be the second top election in three years to start his professional career against Crosby on the street. Connor Bedard von Chicago did this in 2023 on the way to winning the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year.

Volle slate

The successive defending champion Florida Panthers will increase his second Stanley Cup banner in a row on October 7th as part of an opening night triple-header. It will not be long before the fans see a lot more games on the same day.

There will be 16, with every team in action, for the first time this season on Saturday, October 11th, on Tuesday, October 28th. The seasons are staggered from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Edt.

On each of the last three Saturdays of the season has 15 games.

Special events

The Penguins and Nashville Predators watch themselves in two games on November 14th and 16th in Stockholm. The New York Rangers visit the Boston Bruins in the “Thanksgiving Showdown” on Black Friday, November 28th.

The first winter classic in Florida takes place on January 2 when the Panthers organized the Rangers in the Miami Marlins' Baseballpark with a retractable roof. A deadfure open-air game in the entire Sunshine State takes place about a month later when the Tampa Bay Lightning Boston plays in the stadium series in the stadium series in the stadium series.

The UBS arena of the islanders are expected to hold a pre-Olympic broadcast event if the season on February 6th takes part in the Milan players for players. The event is instead of All-Star celebrations that are covered years after the success of the FACE-OFT tournament of the 4 nations in February for the future supervision of the 4-nation tournament.

Milestones within reach

Alex Ovechkin is three goals of 900 after broke Wayne Gretzky's NHL career record in April. Regardless of Ovechkin, he ends – he will be 40 in September and this is the last year of his contract with the Washington Capitals – the new 894, which seemed unapproachable up to the successful “Gr8 chase”.

Ovechkin did not close the door when he plays beyond his 21st season, but if this is the case, game 81 is against Crosby in Washington. The final takes place in Columbus against the Blue Jackets, against which Ovechkin made their debut.

Crosby is 13 points away from becoming the ninth player in the history of the league with 1,700. Ovechkin would be the 10th if he records 77.

The three -time MVP Connor McDavid, which decreases a further loss of Edmonton in the final to Florida, has been far and gone since entering the league in 2015.