The NHL trade deadline in 2027 is Monday, March 1, at 3 p.m. ET. It falls 40 days before the regular season ends on April 10.
Dates come from the NHL list for 2026 to 27, as of October 30, 2026.
Post deadline rules follow the Pro Hockey Rumors summary of the post deadline rules.
NHL trade deadline 2027: date and time
The NHL trade deadline is Monday, March 1, 2027. The clock stops at 3 p.m. ET.
Last season the deadline fell on Friday, March 6, also at 3 p.m. ET. This year it comes five days earlier.
This table places the NHL trade deadline 2027 inside the season.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | The regular season opens |
| Monday, March 1, 2027, 3 p.m. ET | NHL trade deadline |
| Saturday, April 10, 2027 | The regular season ends |
| Tuesday, April 13, 2027 | The playoffs begin |
How many days until the playoffs?
The math takes four steps:
- March 1 to March 31 is 30 days.
- March 31 to April 10 adds 10 days, so the deadline comes 40 days before the season ends.
- April 10 to April 13 adds 3 days.
- The deadline comes 43 days before the playoffs begin.
For the full calendar, see the NHL season end date guide.
What time is the NHL trade deadline in your zone?
The deadline is 3 p.m. in Eastern time. Clocks have not changed yet on March 1, so each zone keeps its usual gap.
This table shows the deadline in each North American zone.
| Zone | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Atlantic | 4 p.m. |
| Eastern | 3 p.m. |
| Central | 2 p.m. |
| Mountain | 1 p.m. |
| Pacific | Noon |
Before 3 p.m.: what teams can do at the NHL trade deadline
Until 3 p.m., teams can trade players, picks and prospects. A player added before the deadline can play for his new team in the playoffs.
Buyers and sellers
Every team lands in one of two camps by March. This table shows the usual plan for each.
| Team | Usual plan | Typical move |
|---|---|---|
| Chasing the Cup | Add players for the playoffs | Trade picks and prospects for a veteran |
| Far from the playoffs | Sell players with a short contract | Trade a veteran for picks and prospects |
| In between | Wait for the last day | Hold or make a small move |
Can players refuse a trade?
A player with a no trade or no movement clause can block a trade. A limited clause may cover only some teams.
How much salary can a team keep?
A team can keep up to 50 percent of a traded player’s salary. PuckPedia says a team can hold three of these deals at one time. For the league pay scale, see how much NHL players make.
Say a player earns $6 million a year. The example takes three steps:
- His old team keeps 50 percent, which is $3 million.
- The new team pays the other $3 million.
- The old team pays $3 million for as long as the deal runs.
PuckPedia lists one more limit. A deal with kept salary cannot be kept again for 75 regular season days.
After 3 p.m.: what changes under the trade deadline rules
Teams can still make trades after the NHL trade deadline passes at 3 p.m. The new player cannot play for his new team for the rest of the season.
This table lists each move after the NHL trade deadline.
| Move | After 3 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Trade | Allowed, but the player sits out the season |
| Waiver claim | The player cannot play for the new team this season |
| Signing a player on no NHL reserve list | Regular season only, no playoffs |
| Recall from the AHL | Five non emergency recalls |
| Emergency recall | Allowed with cap space and fewer than 12 healthy forwards, 6 defensemen or 2 goalies |
Pro Hockey Rumors gave this summary of the post deadline rules on March 8, 2026.
How many recalls do teams get after the deadline?
A team gets five non emergency recalls. The old limit was four.
An emergency recall needs cap space and an injury gap. The gap is fewer than 12 healthy forwards, 6 defensemen or 2 goalies.
PuckPedia adds one more limit. No more than four recalled players can sit on the NHL roster at once.
Is there an AHL deadline?
Yes, the AHL sets its own date. Pro Hockey Rumors lists March 13 last season, one week after the NHL deadline.
The playoff cap
Since the 2025 to 26 season, every playoff lineup must fit under the salary cap. The cap shapes what teams buy at the NHL trade deadline.
A team names 18 skaters and 2 goalies for each game.
The NHL.com report lists the lineup deadline. A team sends its lineup to the league before each game. The cutoff is 3 p.m. local or five hours before the game, whichever comes first.
How big is the cap?
The cap is $104.0 million for 2026 to 27. Last season it was $95.5 million.
The cap rose by $8.5 million, which comes from $104.0 million minus $95.5 million.
The playoff cap has matched the season cap so far. The $104.0 million cap starts with 2026 to 27.
The lowest payroll a team can carry is $76.9 million.
The NHL.com payroll range for 2026 to 27 gives both limits.
What an NHL trade deadline deal does to the cap
PuckPedia says the new team counts the player’s full remaining cap hit in the playoffs. Salary that the old team keeps stays on the old team’s books.
Can he play in the playoffs?
Pick how a player joined a team. See if he can play in the regular season and the playoffs, and the rule behind it.
Last call questions
When is the NHL trade deadline in 2027?
The deadline is Monday, March 1, 2027, at 3 p.m. ET. In Pacific time the deadline is noon.
What time is the NHL trade deadline?
The deadline is 3 p.m. in Eastern time. That is 2 p.m. in Central time and 1 p.m. in Mountain time.
Can teams still trade after the NHL trade deadline?
Yes, a team can make a trade after 3 p.m. The new player cannot play for his new team this season.
Can players refuse a trade?
A player with a no trade or no movement clause can say no. A limited clause may cover only some teams.
How much salary can a team keep in a trade?
A team can keep up to 50 percent of a player’s salary. It can hold three such deals.
How many recalls do teams get after the NHL trade deadline?
A team gets five non emergency recalls, up from four. Emergency recalls follow the injury limits in the table above.
Is there an AHL trade deadline?
Yes, the AHL sets its own date. Pro Hockey Rumors lists March 13 last season, one week after the NHL deadline.
What is the playoff cap?
Each playoff lineup of 18 skaters and 2 goalies must fit under the salary cap. The season cap is $104.0 million for 2026 to 27.
What was the 2026 NHL trade deadline?
The NHL.com live blog lists Friday, March 6, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET.
How many days is it from the deadline to the playoffs?
The playoffs begin 43 days after the deadline, on Tuesday, April 13, 2027.
When does the regular season end?
The regular season ends on Saturday, April 10, 2027. See when the NHL season ends for the full calendar.
How many teams make the playoffs?
Sixteen teams make it. See how many NHL teams there are for the bracket.
How many rounds are in the playoffs?
The playoffs have four rounds. The NHL playoff rounds guide lists each one.
When does NHL free agency start?
NHL free agency opens on July 1 at noon ET. Every team can sign unrestricted free agents then.
Our guide on when NHL free agency starts covers who is a UFA or RFA and the new contract limits.
Take your shot
A team trades for a player at 3:30 p.m. ET on March 1. Can he play for them this season?
Pick one to take your shot.
Checked against NHL Dates of Interest 2026 to 27
NHL Dates of Interest 2026 to 27
Pro Hockey Rumors, collective bargaining agreement summary
NHL.com, playoff salary cap report
Checked October 2026
