The 2022–23 NHL season was the 106th season of operation (105th season of play) of the National Hockey League (NHL). The regular season began on October 7, 2022, when the San Jose Sharks and the Nashville Predators played the first of two games in Prague, Czech Republic as a part of the 2022 NHL Global Series.
The playoffs concluded on June 13, with the Vegas Golden Knights defeating the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final in five games, winning their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
League business
Sponsorships
In addition to sponsor logos on helmets (helmet entitlement partner), teams were allowed to also sell another sponsor placement on their players' jerseys (jersey patch partner) this season. The jersey sponsor patches had to be no greater than .
The following teams announced their jersey sponsors: Arizona: Gila River Resort & Casino (home) Boston: Rapid7 Columbus: Safelite Florida: AutoNation (away) Minnesota: TRIA Montreal: RBC (home) Pittsburgh: Highmark (home) St. Louis: Stifel Toronto: Dairy Farmers of Ontario Vancouver: TD Bank (home) Vegas: Circa Las Vegas (home) Washington: Caesars Sportsbook (home) Winnipeg: Canada Life
Digital rink board advertisements After previous trials during the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and 2020 NHL All-Star Game, the NHL deployed digitally enhanced dasherboards, using Supponor technology, at all arenas this season. This allows the digital replacement and insertion of advertising on the rink boards on selected camera angles, which can be localized for individual regional, national, and international broadcasters. These advertising units include logo placements similar to the boards seen in person (which will still be shown on camera angles that do not support ad replacement), and larger "zone"-based units across sections of the boards, or the entire board.
Entry draft
The 2022 NHL entry draft was held on July 7–8, 2022, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, the home of the Montreal Canadiens. Juraj Slafkovsky was selected first overall by the Canadiens.
Preseason games in Europe The league held preseason games in Europe for the first time since 2019. The Nashville Predators played SC Bern at PostFinance Arena in Bern, Switzerland, on October 3, 2022. The San Jose Sharks played Eisbaren Berlin at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany, on October 4.
Coaching changes + Coaching changesOff–seasonTeam2021–22 coach2022–23 coach Notes Boston Bruins Bruce Cassidy Jim Montgomery Cassidy was fired on June 6, 2022, several weeks after the Bruins' elimination from the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. Cassidy compiled a 245–108–46 record in six seasons with Boston, winning the Jack Adams Trophy in 2019–20 and reaching the playoffs every year of his tenure; additionally, Boston won the Presidents' Trophy in 2019–20, and advanced to the Stanley Cup Final in 2019. Montgomery, most recently an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues, and previously head coach of the Dallas Stars from 2018 to 2019, was named head coach on July 1, 2022. Chicago Blackhawks Jeremy CollitonDerek King* Luke Richardson Colliton was fired on November 6, 2021, after parts of four seasons with Chicago, with the team starting the season 1–9–2. In his tenure, Colliton compiled a 87–92–26 record and led the team to the first round of the playoffs in 2020. King, previously the head coach of the Blackhawks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Rockford IceHogs, was promoted to interim head coach. King finished out the season 27–33–10, failing to reach the playoffs. Richardson, formerly an assistant coach with the Montreal Canadiens, was named head coach on June 27, 2022. Dallas Stars Rick Bowness Peter DeBoer On May 20, 2022, five days after the Stars were eliminated from the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, and with his contract expiring, Bowness resigned as head coach of the Stars. In two and a half seasons with Dallas, Bowness recorded an 89–62–25 record, reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2020. DeBoer, who most recently served as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights from 2020 to 2022, and who had been fired by Vegas one month prior, was named head coach on June 21, 2022. Detroit Red Wings Jeff Blashill Derek Lalonde On April 30, 2022, a day after the Red Wings season finished, it was announced that Blashill's contract would not be renewed. Blashill was 204–261–72 in seven seasons with the Red Wings and made the playoffs once in his tenure. Lalonde, formerly an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning, was named head coach on June 30, 2022. Florida Panthers Joel QuennevilleAndrew Brunette* Paul Maurice Quenneville resigned on October 28, 2021, after the results of an internal investigation revealed that he had improperly handled an accusation of sexual assault during his tenure as head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010. Quenneville totaled a 79–40–13 record in just over two seasons with the Panthers, reaching the playoffs twice but failing to advance past the first round. Assistant coach Brunette was named interim head coach. Brunette finished out the season 51–18–6, with Florida winning the Presidents' Trophy and making it to the second round of the playoffs. Maurice, most recently the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets from 2013 to 2021, was then named permanent head coach on June 22, 2022. Montreal Canadiens Dominique DucharmeMartin St. Louis* Martin St. Louis Ducharme was fired on February 9, 2022, after the Canadiens began the season 8–30–7, with the team last in the league at his time of departure. In his brief tenure over parts of two seasons, Ducharme registered a 23–46–14 record, reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2021. St. Louis was named interim head coach later in the day, before being promoted to permanent head coach on June 1, 2022. New York Islanders Barry Trotz Lane Lambert Trotz was fired on May 9, 2022, 10 days after the conclusion of the Islanders' season. Trotz registered a 152–102–34 record in four seasons with New York, reaching the third round of the playoffs in back-to-back years. Lambert, previously an assistant coach under Trotz, was named head coach on May 16. Philadelphia Flyers Alain VigneaultMike Yeo* John Tortorella Vigneault was fired on December 6, 2021, after the Flyers began the season 8–10–4. Vigneault compiled a 74–54–19 record in just over two seasons with Philadelphia, reaching the second round of the playoffs in 2020. Assistant coach Yeo was retained and named interim head coach; he finished out with a record of 17–36–7, before being fired on May 3, 2022, after the conclusion of the season. Tortorella, most recently head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2015 to 2021, was named head coach on June 17. San Jose Sharks Bob Boughner David Quinn Boughner was fired on July 1, 2022, two months after the conclusion of the Sharks' season. In two and a half seasons with San Jose, Boughner totaled a 67–85–23 record, failing to record a playoff appearance. Quinn, most recently head coach of the New York Rangers from 2018 to 2021, was named head coach on July 26. Vegas Golden Knights Peter DeBoer Bruce Cassidy DeBoer was fired on May 16, 2022, 16 days after the conclusion of the Golden Knights' season. DeBoer registered a 98–50–12 record in just over two seasons with Vegas, reaching the third round of the playoffs in back-to-back years. Cassidy, most recently head coach of the Boston Bruins from 2016 to 2022, and who had been fired by Boston one week prior, was named head coach on June 14. Winnipeg Jets Paul MauriceDave Lowry* Rick Bowness Maurice resigned on December 17, 2021, after the Jets started the season 13–10–5. In just under eight and a half seasons with Winnipeg, Maurice totaled a 315–223–62 record, with five playoff appearances. Assistant coach Lowry was named interim head coach. Lowry finished the season 26–22–6, failing to reach the playoffs. Bowness, most recently head coach of the Dallas Stars from 2019 to 2022, and who had briefly coached the original Jets during the 1988–89 season, was named head coach on July 3, 2022.In–seasonTeamOutgoing coachIncoming coach Notes Vancouver Canucks Bruce Boudreau Rick Tocchet Boudreau was fired on January 22, 2023, after the Canucks started the season 18–25–3. During parts of two seasons with the team, Boudreau totaled a 50–40–13 record, missing the playoffs in 2022. Tocchet, most recently head coach of the Arizona Coyotes from 2017 to 2021, was named head coach the same day. (*) Indicates interim.
Front office changes + General managersOff–seasonTeam2021–22 general manager2022–23 general manager Notes Colorado Avalanche Joe Sakic Chris MacFarland Sakic was promoted to president of hockey operations on July 11, 2022. MacFarland, formerly an assistant general manager, assumed the role of general manager. San Jose Sharks Doug WilsonJoe Will* Mike Grier Wilson resigned on April 7, 2022, for medical reasons, with the Sharks holding a record of 29–31–9. Wilson had served as general manager of the Sharks since 2003, overseeing fourteen playoff appearances, five Pacific Division titles, one Presidents' Trophy, and one Stanley Cup Final appearance. Will, the assistant general manager at the time, assumed the role of interim general manager. Grier, a former player and most recently a hockey operations advisor with the New York Rangers, was named general manager on July 5, 2022. With his hiring, he became the first African-American general manager in NHL history.In–seasonTeamOutgoing general managerIncoming general manager Notes Philadelphia Flyers Chuck Fletcher Daniel Briere* Fletcher was fired on March 10, 2023, with the Flyers holding a record of 24–30–11. Fletcher served as general manager since 2018 with the team making the playoffs once. Briere, the assistant general manager, was promoted to interim general manager. (*) Indicates interim.
Arena changes The Arizona Coyotes signed a three-year agreement to play at Mullett Arena on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. The team's previous home Gila River Arena chose not to renew their lease agreement, and ASU's arena was a temporary transitional venue while the Coyotes explored the construction of a new venue before the team's hockey assets were sold to a group from Salt Lake City.
Regular season The regular season began on October 7, 2022, and ended April 14, 2023. Sixteen NHL games were played on the same day for the first time on April 8, 2023.
International games The league held regular season games in Europe for the first time since the 2019–20 season. The Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks played their first two regular season games against each other on October 7 and 8, 2022, at O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic. Then, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche played two games on November 4 and 5, at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland.
Outdoor games
The league held the following outdoor games: The Winter Classic was held on January 2, 2023, at Fenway Park in Boston, with the Boston Bruins hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Stadium Series was held on February 18, 2023, at Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, with the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Washington Capitals.
All-Star Game
The 2023 All-Star Game took place on February 4, 2023, at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida, the home of the Florida Panthers.
Postponed games Two Nashville Predators home games, against Colorado on November 25 and Columbus on November 26, were postponed due to damage caused by a broken water main at Bridgestone Arena. The one against Columbus was rescheduled to January 17, and the one against Colorado was rescheduled to April 14 (the day after the regular season was originally scheduled to end).