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The Stanley Cup Final may wrap up as early as Thursday night in Pittsburgh; but even if the San Jose Sharks extend their series against the Penguins, we’re still nearing some key dates on the NHL calendar.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the National Hockey League and its Players’ Association may be a dry read, but it is a treasure trove of information for hockey lovers of all kinds.

If you’re simply looking for a bite-sized dates tweet, the basics are here…

Key NHL dates

June 22: Awards

June 24-25: Draft

June 25: UFA interview period opens

June 28: RFA interview period opens

July 1: Free agency — Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) May 18, 2016

But if you’d care to dive a little deeper, here is the Critical Date Calendar, as outlined in the CBA itself.

The entry draft, incidentally, will be held June 24-25 in Buffalo.

Later of June 15 or 48 hours after conclusion of Stanley Cup Finals:

First Buy-Out Period Begins

Deadline for First Club-Elected Salary Arbitration Notification (5:00 p.m. New York time)

Day after the Entry Draft (but not later than June 25) until June 30:

Unrestricted Free Agents may meet and interview with potential new Clubs, but may not sign new SPCs until the opening of RFA/UFA Signing Period

Later of June 25 or Monday after Entry Draft:

Deadline for Qualifying Offers, which are not open for acceptance prior to July 1 (5:00 p.m. New York time)

Later of June 26 or Tuesday after Entry Draft:

Restricted Free Agents may make contact with Clubs (including their own) regarding potential interest, but may not sign new SPCs or Offer Sheets until the opening of RFA/UFA Signing Period

June 30:

Setting of Upper/Lower Limits

First Buy-Out Period Ends (5:00 p.m. New York time)

July 1:

Qualifying Offers Open for Acceptance (12:00 p.m. New York time)

RFA/UFA Signing Period Begins (12:00 p.m. New York time)

July 5:

Deadline for Player-Elected Salary Arbitration Notification (5:00 p.m. New York time)

Deadline for RFA Offer Sheets for Players for whom Clubs have elected salary arbitration pursuant to First Club-Elected Salary Arbitration (5:00 p.m. New York time)

Commencement of Second Club-Elected Salary Arbitration Notification (5:01 p.m. New York time)

July 6:

Deadline for Second Club-Elected Salary Arbitration Notification (5:00 p.m. New York time)

July 15:

Qualifying Offers Expire Automatically (5:00 p.m. New York time)

July 20:

First Day of Salary Arbitration Hearings

August 4:

Last Day of Salary Arbitration Hearings

August 6:

Last Day for Issuance of Salary Arbitration Awards

48 hours after Club’s last salary arbitration award or settlement:

Deadline to exercise walk-away right

48 hours beginning on the third day after Club’s last salary arbitration award or settlement:

Deadline for such Club’s Second Buy-Out Period [Only for Clubs with Salary Arbitration Cases]

December 1:

Signing Deadline for Group 2 Free Agents

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One final note: We’re also drawing closer to the time when offer sheets to restricted free agents, rare as they may be, could come into play. Here’s a CBA primer on how they work.

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Nichols’ Notes runs weekdays, linking you to stories of interest from around the NHL.