Golden Knights, busy days: Key dates for a packed June around the NHL

Buckle up, because we're in for a busy June.

Not only are Games 3-7 of the Stanley Cup Final scheduled over the first two weeks of the month (5-7 if necessary, of course), the addition of the Vegas Golden Knights will throw a few wrinkles into what's already a fairly active month on the offseason calendar.

Here's a look at key dates in June, with a hat tip to Cap Friendly:

June 1, 5 pm ET: Teams lose rights of certain unsigned drafted players.

Only a week away, here is the current list of drafted players whom their respective teams must sign by June 1, or lose their signing rights. pic.twitter.com/T65ePEqhbK

- CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) May 25, 2017

Later of June 15 OR 48 hours following completion of Stanley Cup Playoffs: First contract buyout period begins; deadline for first club-elected salary arbitration.

June 17, 5 pm ET: Expansion Draft protection lists submission deadline.

June 18, 10 am ET: Expansion Draft protection lists revealed to public.

June 18-21: Golden Knights can negotiate with and sign unrestricted free agents and unprotected restricted free agents.

June 21, 10 am ET: Vegas submits player selections

June 21, 8 pm ET: NHL Awards; Golden Knights roster released to public; unveiling of Adidas jerseys for all 31 teams.

June 23-24 - NHL Entry Draft.

June 25-30: UFAs granted permission to speak with other teams.

June 25, 5 pm ET: Deadline for qualifying offers.

June 26: RFAs granted permission to speak with other teams.

June 30, 5 pm ET: Setting of upper and lower salary-cap limits for 2017-18.

July 1, 12 pm ET: NHL free agency begins.

Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final is set for Wednesday in Pittsburgh, beginning what should prove to be quite the next 30 days.

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