The National Hockey League has officially released the 2026‑27 regular season schedule, setting the stage for a busy year of competition across the league.
New York’s Islanders will begin their campaign on the road, opening the season in Toronto against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, October 3, a matchup that pits two of the league’s historic franchises against each other.
Home games are largely slated for early evening starts, with most contests kicking off at 7:00 p.m. local time, while a handful will run at 7:30 p.m., giving fans a predictable window for planning.
The schedule’s release coincides with the third‑jersey design contest, which has attracted an astonishing 66,000 submissions, reflecting the league’s growing emphasis on fan engagement and visual storytelling.
Among the prospects, top draft pick Malte Gustafsson has already inked his entry‑level contract, while forward Henrik Tikkanen opted not to sign his qualifying offer, a decision that opens up roster flexibility for his club.
Elsewhere, contract negotiations have produced notable agreements, including a five‑year, $30 million deal that spared Cole Parfetti and the Winnipeg Jets from an arbitration hearing, and a six‑year, $40.5 million agreement that kept Connor McMichael with the St. Louis Blues, both avoiding costly hearings.
A busy summer for the Islanders and the league
With the schedule now public, teams and fans alike can mark calendars, and the league’s next steps will likely involve further refinements to broadcasting windows and ticket sales strategies.