Golden Knights to open title defense versus Kraken

The league and its 32 clubs released the 1,312-game regular-season schedule Tuesday.

The puck drops again with the Nashville Predators facing off against the Tampa Bay Lightning, followed by the potential debut of presumptive No. 1 pick Connor Bedard when he and the Chicago Blackhawks visit Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. One-hundred-twenty days after winning the Cup, the Golden Knights will begin their title defense against the Seattle Kraken in a preview of the Winter Classic.

The schedule also includes just the second-16-game day in league history on Oct. 24. Games will be staggered throughout the night from 6 p.m. Eastern on, March Madness-style.

April 18 is the last scheduled day of the regular season, with the traditional 16-team playoff tournament to follow.

SHARKS: The San Jose Sharks acquired goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood from the New Jersey Devils for a sixth-round pick. They are still working to trade Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson. General manager Mike Grier says he’s not going to give away Karlsson just for the sake of doing it.

KINGS: The Los Angeles Kings acquired Pierre-Luc Dubois in a major sign-and-trade deal with the Winnipeg Jets. The 25-year-old center was a restricted free agent but told the Jets this month that he didn’t plan on re-signing with them. Dubois agreed to an eight-year extension worth $8.5 million annually in agreeing to the trade.

AVALANCHE: The Colorado Avalanche traded young forward Alex Newhook to the Montreal Canadiens for two draft picks and a minor leaguer. Colorado got the 31st and 37th picks in this week’s draft and defenseman Gianni Fairbrother from Montreal. Newhook is a 22-year-old pending restricted free agent due a raise from the $925,000 he made last season.

DUCKS: Former captain Ryan Getzlaf has been named the Anaheim Ducks’ player development coordinator. Getzlaf served as Anaheim’s captain for 12 seasons. He is also the all-time leading scorer in franchise history, with 1,019 points. In his new role, Getzlaf will assist Director of Player Development Jim Johnson in working to prepare prospects in Anaheim’s system for a career in professional hockey.

BLUES: The St. Louis Blues acquired center Kevin Hayes from the Philadelphia Flyers for a sixth-round pick in the 2024 draft. Hayes gives the retooling Blues depth down the middle as they try to return to the playoffs next season. The 31-year-old is a veteran of nearly 700 NHL games who had 54 points last season.