One of the most frequently asked questions I get by PM every offseason is "do you know when the trade deadline will be next season?" Actually, even before the NHL announces the date officially, anyone can figure it out as soon as the NHL releases its schedule for the next season.

Back in 2005, when the NHL settled its lengthy lockout with the NHLPA that canceled the 2004-05 season, one of the terms of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), was a change in the trade deadline rules.

Previously, the deadline was set to fall 26 days immediately preceding the final day of the regular season. The new rule changed it to 40 days. The trade deadline rule held over into the current CBA, officially codified after the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.

Periodically, the 40-day rule is amended slightly for extenuating circumstances, such as the 2014 Olympics (deadline fell 38 days before the end of the season). Otherwise, the trade deadline is set per the CBA formula.

All of this is a long-winded way of saying the 2016 NHL trade deadline will fall on Mon. Feb 29 (keep in mind that 2016 is a leap year). The final day of the regular season is Sat. April 9.

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