On Monday, TSN's Frank Seravalli reported the NHL's free-agent period will begin at noon ET on Oct. 9. In July, he also reported the one-week free-agent interview period was eliminated under the new NHL collective bargaining agreement. That means it's back to the opening-day bidding wars by general managers for the top available talent.
Once the market opens, there will be considerable interest in this season's top unrestricted free agents. This year's crop features such notables as St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, Arizona Coyotes left wing Taylor Hall and Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner.