NHL, NHLPA officially ratify Return to Play plan and new CBA deal, announce key dates

Game on.

The NHLPA announced Friday it "has ratified the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the resumption of the 2019-20 season."

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The CBA now is in place through the 2025-26 season, which ensures labor peace for at least six more years. The agreement on the return to play protocols also means the league can begin its plan to finish the 2019-20 season. Formal training camps will open Monday, July 13, and the first non-exhibition games start Aug. 1.

With the CBA now ratified, NHL players can officially opt-out of this summer's training camp and playoffs without penalty until 5 p.m. ET on Monday.

Players must notify their teams in writing before that deadline. No reason needs to be provided.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 10, 2020

Here are the key dates for the remainder of the season:

July 13: Start of formal training camps
July 26: Teams travel to hub cities
July 28-30: Exhibition games
Aug. 1: Stanley Cup Qualifiers begin
Aug. 10*: Phase 2 of NHL Draft Lottery
Aug. 11: First round of Stanley Cup Playoffs begins
Aug. 25*: Second round of Stanley Cup Playoffs begins
Sept. 8*: Conference Finals begin
Sept. 22*: Stanley Cup Final begins
Oct. 4*: Last possible day of Cup Final
Oct. 9-10*: 2020 NHL Draft
*Tentative dates