How often does the NHL trade deadline occur each season?

The NHL trade deadline occurs once every season, and it typically takes place in late February or early March. This is a crucial period for teams as they assess their rosters, strategies, and the potential for playoff contention. The trade deadline allows teams to make last-minute trades to strengthen their lineups or to offload players who might not be part of their long-term plans.

The other options do not accurately reflect the structure of the NHL trade system. The league does not hold trades on a monthly or biannual basis; trades can happen at any time during the season but are officially consolidated into the one trade deadline event each season. This is significant for both player movement and team strategy within the competitive landscape of the NHL.