2016–17 NHL season

Salary cap

In December 2015 commissioner Gary Bettman informed teams that he projected the salary cap to be at least $74.5 million for the 2016–17 season. It could increase as much as $3.1 million. It was eventually set at $73.1 million

Expansion

On June 22, 2016, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman officially announced that the league had approved an expansion team in Las Vegas, Nevada, later christened the Vegas Golden Knights, which is set to begin play in the 2017–18 season.

Media rights

Canadian rightsholder Rogers Media reinstated Ron MacLean as host of Hockey Night in Canada for the 2016–17 season to replace George Stroumboulopoulos, whose introduction in the 2014–15 season was met with mixed reception by viewers. MacLean will host the early game of the weekly doubleheader, with David Amber handling the late games. MacLean will continue to host the Sunday-night Hometown Hockey games on Sportsnet.

On June 20, 2016, the Buffalo Sabres announced that it had agreed to a 10-year extension of its regional television rights deal with MSG Network, which saw the establishment of a new sub-feed of MSG Network known as MSG Western New York. MSG WNY is a joint venture between MSG Networks and Sabres owner Pegula Sports and Entertainment, and replaced MSG Network in the team's market region. It is the primary carrier of programming related to the Sabres and other Pegula-owned teams, such as the NFL's Buffalo Bills, and continues to carry selected programming from its parent network. There will be no on-air changes in staffing for Sabres telecasts.

On June 27, 2016, Sports Business Daily reported that the NHL had reached a deal in principle with Fox Sports to allow in-market, authenticated online streaming for eligible pay TV subscribers, of regional telecasts for the 12 teams it holds rights to.

Centennial celebration

On September 27, 2016, the NHL announced that it would organize a series of initiatives and events throughout 2017 to mark the league's 100th year of operations, and the upcoming 2017–18 season, which will be the NHL's 100th season of play. The campaign began with the NHL Centennial Classic outdoor game on January 1, 2017, and will continue throughout the calendar year, including documentaries and a daily "Time Capsule" feature across NHL media properties, a "Centennial Truck Tour" with a traveling museum and other activities that will visit each NHL market over the course of the year, a 2017 Winter Classic-themed float during the Tournament of Roses Parade, and the unveiling of the top 100 players during the weekend of the All-Star Game, and the top 100 moments of the league's history later in the year.

A centennial emblem was designed, which features a banner wrapped around the number 100 with the current NHL shield in the foreground. Both the banner and the number 100 are in same silver colour as the NHL shield. Since January 1, this emblem has been featured on all game pucks, and as shoulder patches on all jerseys.

Coaching changes

(*) Indicates interim.

Arena changes

Regular season

The regular season began on October 12, 2016 and will end on April 9, 2017. The playoffs will begin on April 12, 2017. The schedule was released on June 21, 2016. Each team will receive a five-day "bye week" and no practices can be held during the time period.

Outdoor games

Four outdoor games will be played during the 2016–17 season.

The Winnipeg Jets hosted the Heritage Classic against the Edmonton Oilers at Investors Group Field on October 23, 2016. The Oilers won the game, 3–0.

The Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the Centennial Classic at BMO Field on January 1, 2017, against the Detroit Red Wings. The game commemorated the 100th season of the Maple Leafs and NHL as a whole. The following Monday, January 2, 2017, the St. Louis Blues hosted the Winter Classic at Busch Stadium against the Chicago Blackhawks.

On February 25, 2017, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4–2 at Heinz Field in the Stadium Series game.

All–Star Game

The 62nd National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in Los Angeles at Staples Center, home of the Los Angeles Kings, on Sunday, January 29, 2017. The format will be identical to the 2016 All-Star Game.

Postponed games

The Detroit Red Wings – Carolina Hurricanes game scheduled for December 19, 2016 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina was postponed due to poor ice conditions. The game was rescheduled for March 27, 2017. This will result in the two teams playing in Raleigh on consecutive nights, as they were already scheduled to play each other on March 28.

Tie Breakers:
1. Fewer number of games played.
2. Greater Regulation + OT Wins (ROW)
3. Greatest number of points earned in head-to-head play (If teams played an unequal # of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded.)
4. Greater Goal differential

Scoring leaders

The following players led the league in regular season points at the conclusion of games played on February 26, 2017.

Leading goaltenders

The following goaltenders led the league in regular season goals against average at the conclusion of games played on February 26, 2017, while playing at least 1800 minutes.

First games

The following is a list of notable players who played their first NHL game during the 2016–17 season, listed with their first team.

Last games

The following is a list of players of note who played their last NHL game in 2016–17, listed with their team:

Major milestones reached

Uniforms