Dec. 19-27 - Holiday roster freeze in effect. No waivers, trades and loans permitted.
Dec. 26-Jan. 5 - IIHF World Under 20 Championship, Ottawa.
Jan. 1 - NHL Winter Classic 2009. Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks, Wrigley Field, Chicago.
Jan 22-26 - All-Star break.
Jan. 24 - NHL SuperSkills Competition, Montreal.
Jan. 25 - NHL All-Star Game, Montreal.
March 4 - Trade deadline, 3 p.m. EST.
April 9-19 - IIHF Under 18 World Championship, Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn.
April 12 - Last day of 2008-09 regular season.
April 15 - Stanley Cup Playoffs begin.
April 24-May 10 - IIHF World Championship, Switzerland.
May 25-30 - NHL Combine, Toronto.
June 15 - Last possible day for Stanley Cup finals.
June 26-27 - NHL draft, Montreal.
July 1 - Free agency signing period begins.
July 5 - Deadline for player-elected salary arbitration.
July 6 - Deadline for club-elected salary arbitration.
July 10 - Deadline for eligible players to elect Group 5 free agency.
July 20-Aug. 4 - Salary arbitration hearings held.
Aug. 6 - Deadline for salary arbitration decisions to be rendered.