The NHL has officially revealed the first three games of the 2025-26 regular season, with the full schedule to be unveiled on Wednesday at 1 pm. The season opener features the Florida Panthers hosting the Chicago Blackhawks at 5 pm on October 7th, during which the Panthers will raise the 2025 Stanley Cup banner. Later that evening, the Pittsburgh Penguins will face the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden at 8 pm, followed by the Colorado Avalanche visiting the Los Angeles Kings at 10:30 pm ET.
The complete NHL schedule, including the full 82-game calendar for the Columbus Blue Jackets, will be announced on July 16th. This delay is likely due to the 2026 Winter Olympics being factored into the planning. Additionally, there has been speculation about key matchups, such as a new team versus an old rival and a standout battle between Mitch Marner and Nicolaji Ehler, as well as the Florida Panthers’ positioning after free agency moves are finalized. Now that these details are clear, the NHL is set to release the full schedule soon.
Fans should stay tuned for the Columbus Blue Jackets’ complete schedule dropping on Wednesday. Meanwhile, enjoy the latest updates, news, analysis, and fascinating stories about the Blue Jackets. Don’t forget to tap the Star icon to add these updates to your Google News favorites and stay informed.
Also, reflecting on fan memories from the 2024-25 season, many highlights stand out, with a focus on the positive moments. Notably, three years ago, the Blue Jackets made a historic move by signing Johnny Gaudreau in free agency — a rare event given his caliber, as top players typically don’t reach free agency. Hockey News also offers a rich archive to its subscribers, featuring 76 years of hockey history and stories.
Fan Take: This early schedule release builds excitement while highlighting the significance of marquee games that promise thrilling matchups for fans. The inclusion of major events like the Stanley Cup banner raise and Olympic adjustments underscores how the NHL continues to evolve its calendar to maintain competitive and fan engagement at the highest level.