We're just about ready to see how everyone's offseason efforts truly worked out! The 2025 Regular Season will begin on Wednesday, January 1!
Rosters and lines for both NHL and AHL teams must be compliant to league rules no later than Wednesday at 9pm EST, the normal weeknight deadline, regardless of if you are playing that night or not!
A couple of teams already received fines for not meeting the AHL preseason roster deadline. Don't be caught with your pants down for the start of the regular season because of a lack of preparation (H)! Any GM who does not meet the appropriate roster criteria -or- does not have lineups properly set for both NHL and AHL teams, will face severe fines or potential termination.
Roster rules from this point are the same as described in the CBA: 13 forwards, 7 defensemen, and 2 goalies (with the option of one extra player) on your NHL roster and they are also minimums for your AHL roster. Remember that the simulator does NOT enforce these requirements, so it is up to you to make sure you are compliant! I've seen a few teams who are not meeting this criteria as of this posting and at least one team is not meeting the organizational requirements! Also, just because you've set your rosters and lines for Game 1 does not mean that you have them set for Game 2. Plan in advance!
Today, Monday, is the last day that you can send a player down through waivers to have them count for your AHL opening night roster. If you lose any players to waivers before Wednesday, your lineup must account for this. If you are positioned to win a waiver claim any of these next three days, they will count towards the 23-man roster. It all matters from here. Make room for winning claims on your opening night roster! Additionally and as always, ALL of your dressed skaters need to be in the main lineup!
The NHL schedule is mostly set. The only thing really noticeable to me is that the Sharks have an 11-day break, which seems to be a complete fluke. I'll try to fix that. As always, the AHL schedule will be in heavy flux over the next several weeks in order to adapt it to our calendar. Charlotte and Idaho will see the most volatility. Although that happens to work out since both teams are under my control for now.
Last year we were able to make up substantial time with double sims. As you know, I absolutely hate doing this and don't want it to become a new seasonal thing. Several of you have expressed interest in doing this again. It would be very helpful for the regular season to be able to end before the end of May. It would also allow us to hold an All-Star weekend again, something I know many of you have asked to have back! I will open this up for discussion again soon.
I remind you to double-check that your captains are in order for this season. Remember that this can have an effect on your team performance!
Let's get off to a great start this season! I look forward to seeing some season preview articles. Keep an eye out for some good GM candidates too because Utah and Toronto really need some solid long-term help!