NHL Changes Date of Draft, Free Agent Frenzy Friday Follows

According to Sportsnet hockey insider Elliotte Friedman, The 2020 NHL Entry Draft will be held a few days earlier than expected.

Friedman reports that the draft has been moved up to October 6-7. It was originally slated for later with free agency to follow. Now, free agent frenzy will begin October 9 after two days at what will likely be a ton of prospect talk and even more trade action with a flat salary cap.

Friedman writes that the first round will take place on the Tuesday with all remaining rounds on the 7th (Wednesday).

NHL Draft is being moved ahead a couple of days. First round Oct 6, rest on Oct. 7.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 8, 2020

From there, TSN’s Frank Seravailli notes that free agency will kick off on Friday October 9.

The assumption here is that the NHL moved things up because of how quickly they were hustling through the playoffs and that they’ve been able to get ahead of their originally estimated timeline.

Has Anything Else Changed?

When it comes to the NHL Draft, Rimouski Oceanic left winger Alexis Lafreniere is still the unanimous No. 1 pick. That pick belongs to the New York Rangers and while there’s been some talk the team will listen to offers, it is expected they will make the selection and add Lafreniere to their roster.

Lafreniere is followed by Tim Stutzle, Quinton Byfield, Jamie Drysdale, and Cole Perfetti in TSN’s top five.

As for free agency, the biggest names are still Alex Pietrangelo, Torey Krug, and Taylor Hall, Robin Lehner, Mike Hoffman.

There has been no details provided on how or if this changes any dates or plans for next season.

Tentative dates as part of the new CBA:

• Stanley Cup Final – 9/20 to 10/2 2020
• NHL Draft – 10/6 2020
• Free Agency – later of 10/9 or 7 days after Cup Finals end 2020/21
• Training Camp Start – 11/17
• Start of 2020/21 Season – 12/1

All subject to change.

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