NHL schedule dates start to emerge

UPDATE: Also according to Shannon, it is believed that the trade deadline will be Wednesday, April 3rd.

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According to a tweet from Sportsnet's John Shannon, the NHL has set a few key dates for its 48-game shortened season. The season will officially begin on January 19th and will run until April 27. The Stanley Cup Playoffs will begin on May 1st and could, potentially, go as long as June 28th. There were many concerns about the potential for the season to run into July but it seems that this will not be an issue.