The 2024-25 regular season came to a close last night for the Chicago Blackhawks, which means we’re on to the offseason. There might not be Blackhawks games for us to discuss, but the hockey world continues moving around us.
So let’s go ahead and move on to the offseason, before the Blackhawks players, coaches and general manager Kyle Davidson have their exit interviews internally and with the media. There’s a lot coming this summer for the Hawks, with signing a new head coach at the top of the list. The draft, free agency and some internal personnel decisions will all impact the short and long term of the Blackhawks’ rebuild.
Here’s a full checklist of the key dates to add to your calendars for the Blackhawks this summer.
- This week — NHL Central Scouting releases its final prospect rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft
- May 5-6* — 2025 NHL Draft Lottery (date to be finalized)
- May 18-25 — 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship
- June 1-7 — 2025 NHL Scouting Combine (LECOM Harborcenter, Buffalo, N.Y.)
- June 15** — Deadline for first club-elected salary arbitration notification (4 PM CT)
** — later of June 15 or 48 hours after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final
- June 23 — last possible day of Stanley Cup Final
- June 27-18 — 2025 NHL Draft (Los Angeles)
- TBA — Blackhawks Development Camp (following draft)
- July 1 — Free agency begins (11 AM CT)
- July 5 — Deadline for player-elected salary arbitration notification (4 PM CT)
- July 6 — Deadline for second club-elected salary arbitration notification (4 PM CT)
For more information on the arbitration process,
check out this page at PuckPedia.
- July 20 – Aug. 4 — Salary arbitration hearings held
- Aug. 6 — Deadline for salary arbitration decisions to be rendered
