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Greg Wyshynski, ESPNOct 22, 2024, 07:00 AM ET
- Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL author.
The NHL Frozen Frenzy on Tuesday is that uncommon and joyous event when all 32 groups are in motion on the identical day.
It begins with the Washington Capitals on the Philadelphia Flyers (6 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+) and closes out with the Los Angeles Kings on the Vegas Golden Knights (11 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+). Video games begin at 15-minute staggered begin occasions to maximise puck consumption on NHL Energy Play on ESPN+ (accessible to all ESPN+ subscribers), and there is a whip-around present bringing you motion from all 16 matchups.
That is plenty of hockey.
Which groups are price your time and a focus, not solely through the Frozen Frenzy however throughout the remainder of the 2024-25 season?
It seems, all of them, for numerous components. Listed here are causes to observe all 32 groups this season, from famous person gamers to groups with championship aspirations to controversial storylines to at least one historic document chase taking part in out in Washington.
Right here we go, and benefit from the frenzy.
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Atlantic Division
Boston Bruins
The hulking protection
The Bruins swear that measurement did not matter when constructing their blue line, that they have been simply concentrating on the very best gamers who match their wants. It simply so occurs that the protection they’ve constructed might be the Boston skyline: They signed 6-foot-6 defenseman Nikita Zadorov this offseason to hitch Brandon Carlo (6-5), Hampus Lindholm (6-4), Mason Lohrei (6-5) and Andrew Peeke (6-3) within the depth chart. Charlie McAvoy, their No. 1 defenseman, finds himself trying as much as his teammates at a mere 6-1.
Zdeno Chara is gone, however apparently his spirit lives on with the Bruins.
Buffalo Sabres
Can they finish the playoff drought?
There’s just one staff within the “large 4” sports activities leagues that has skilled the type of postseason drought the Sabres are in: The hapless New York Jets, who final made the playoffs in 2010. The Sabres’ final look within the Stanley Cup playoffs was in 2011, making this the longest postseason drought in NHL historical past.
Optimism was excessive earlier than the season, with burgeoning stars comparable to Tage Thompson and the return of long-time head coach Lindy Ruff — by the way, the final man to educate Buffalo to the playoffs. The outcomes aren’t there but, however there’s plenty of expertise on this roster. They have to be a playoff staff in some unspecified time in the future, proper? Proper?
Detroit Red Wings
It is nonetheless ‘Showtime’
Some believed Patrick Kane‘s profession might need been over after hip resurfacing surgical procedure in 2023, a process that different NHL gamers had undergone solely to return as a shell of themselves. However the former league MVP had a resurgent season for the Pink Wings in 2023-24, with 27 factors in 50 video games.
The 35-year-old Kane, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, signed a one-year take care of Detroit to convey “Showtime” again to the Motor Metropolis once more. He is the third-highest-scoring American participant in NHL historical past (1,286 factors) behind Brett Hull (1,391) and Mike Modano (1,374).
Florida Panthers
Looking for a repeat efficiency
The Panthers gained their first Stanley Cup final season with a staff that had scoring expertise, aggressive physicality and more than a little attitude courtesy of stars comparable to Matthew Tkachuk. Florida returns nearly all of that roster this season seeking a second straight championship, and why not?
Each the Penguins and Lightning have gained back-to-back championships since 2016. The Lightning additionally made the Stanley Cup Remaining in three straight seasons from 2020 to 2022, an Japanese Convention three-peat that the Panthers try to match this season.
They’ve come out of the gate sturdy thus far, regardless of lacking star middle Aleksander Barkov for many of it.
Montreal Canadiens
The joys of Lane Hutson
Generally you simply need to take heed to the group when a participant touches the puck. When Hutson has it on his stick at Bell Centre, you possibly can hear the excitement and see individuals straighten up of their seats because the rookie defenseman begins easily skating by means of every zone. His offensive creativity is sort of a private highlights studio. His protection … effectively, he is a rookie defenseman, so that may generally add its personal type of pleasure.
The underside line: Few first-year gamers will make you tune on this season the best way Lane Hutson will.
Ottawa Senators
Linus Ullmark, franchise goalie
For years, the Bruins had the very best goaltending tandem within the NHL with Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman. However nothing lasts perpetually … particularly when each goalies needed to play upwards of 55 video games and the Bruins had roster wants beneath the constraints of the wage cap.
So Ullmark was traded to the Senators, clearing the best way for Boston to signal Swayman to an eight-year contract extension with an $8.25 million annual cap hit. Three days later, Ullmark signed an extension of his personal: 4 years and the identical $8.25 million wage. The Senators had the league’s worst goaltending final season. Can Ullmark flip that round and switch the Senators right into a playoff staff?
Tampa Bay Lightning
The very best line in hockey?
One of many offseason’s largest tales was when the Lightning let longtime captain Steven Stamkos depart as a free agent in favor of signing former Penguins star Jake Guentzel, who’s 4 years his junior. Guentzel slid into Stamkos’ outdated spot on Tampa Bay’s high line with Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov, an MVP finalist final season.
He might need made an ideal factor even higher: By Tampa’s first 4 video games, the trio averaged 6.8 targets per 60 minutes and surrendered simply 1.2 targets per 60.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Mitch Marner and the murky future
Marner, 27, has been a member of the Leafs’ core of star gamers since coming into the league 9 seasons in the past. He is a stunning offensive participant, a Selke Trophy-nominated defensive participant and a play-driving winger … within the common season. Toronto has been a disappointment within the playoffs, and far of the followers’ frustration has been centered on Marner’s lack of postseason influence.
He is within the final 12 months of his contract. Will the Leafs re-sign him? Will they commerce him? Does he stroll away as a free agent? As common with the Maple Leafs, there is not any scarcity of drama.
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes
The Brind’Amour aesthetic
Throughout Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour’s 20-season NHL profession, he was good at just about every thing: tallying factors, excelling defensively to the tune of two Selke Trophies and making an influence on particular groups. It is stated that some groups tackle the personalities of their coaches, and that is true right here: Final season, Carolina was eighth in offense, fourth in protection, first on the penalty kill and second on the facility play.
Even with some downgrades of their lineup through the offseason, to observe the Canes is to observe a staff that is fairly nice in all sides of the sport. And like their coach when he was a participant, a kind of sides is how arduous Carolina is to play in opposition to, an indicator of Rob the Bod’s six seasons behind the bench.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Taking part in by means of the grief
The reply right here ought to have been Johnny Gaudreau. It is nonetheless arduous to course of that this outstanding athlete was taken from us manner too quickly, because the 31-year-old Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, have been killed by a suspected drunken driver whereas driving bicycles on Aug. 29 in New Jersey. The Blue Jackets have memorialized Johnny Hockey in a dozen methods this season, from helmet stickers to retaining his locker room stall unoccupied to creating their participant of the sport award a “donkey head hat,” as Gaudreau beloved calling individuals “a donkey.”
Younger standouts like Adam Fantilli, Yegor Chinakhov, Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson ought to all get their participant of the sport moments this season, reminding us that the longer term in Columbus is brilliant whereas honoring the legacy of Gaudreau.
New Jersey Devils
Torrid expectations
Two years in the past, the Devils regarded poised to problem for the Stanley Cup. Final season, that poise morphed into volatility, as New Jersey dropped 31 factors within the standings and completed seventh within the Metro Division. It was a season marked by accidents, underperformance and dashed expectations.
No staff was extra aggressive in making an attempt to repair its flaws than the Devils after final season: rebuilding their goaltending with Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen, including veteran defensemen like Brett Pesce, constructing out their ahead depth and hiring former Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe. After final season’s low, expectations are sky-high once more. Will the Devils ship?
New York Islanders
The Bo and Barzal present
The Islanders’ two most completed offensive gamers are forwards Bo Horvat (33 targets final season) and Mathew Barzal (80 factors). They performed nearly all of the time on the identical line final season, and coach Patrick Roy has them collectively once more this season.
New York is not precisely an offensive juggernaut (twenty second within the NHL in targets per sport final season) so Horvat and Barzal must shoulder chunk of the scoring load on a staff that is anticipated to be across the playoff bubble.
New York Rangers
Time for Shesterkin to interrupt the financial institution?
The Rangers have probably the greatest goaltenders on the planet in 28-year-old Igor Shesterkin. They comprehend it. Igor is aware of it. His brokers comprehend it, too. As a slew of star goaltenders signed contract extensions not too long ago, the Rangers and Shesterkin could not come to phrases on one earlier than the season forward of unrestricted free company subsequent summer time.
Reviews declare he rejected an eight-year, $88 million contract supply from the Rangers, which might have made him the highest-paid NHL goalie of all time. Watching Shesterkin proceed to lift his worth with all-star-level play — or doubtlessly decrease it if he unexpectedly struggles — is a part of the intrigue on a really proficient Rangers staff this season.
Philadelphia Flyers
Michkov mania
The Flyers have not had an offensive rookie as proficient as ahead Matvei Michkov since Claude Giroux arrived on the scene in 2008-09. It might be argued that the Flyers have not had an offensive rookie this hyped since Eric Lindros arrived in 1992-93. Michkov has already proven flashes of the dynamic offensive sport that had followers shopping for his jersey earlier than he even performed a preseason sport for the Flyers.
There shall be a studying curve for the 19-year-old phenom, however curmudgeonly coach John Tortorella has stated he doesn’t plan on crushing that creativity.
“I am not attention-grabbing in turning him right into a checker,” the coach stated. “We’re ravenous for the sorts of instinctive performs that he could make.”
Pittsburgh Penguins
The band performs on
Sidney Crosby (37), Evgeni Malkin (38), Kris Letang (37) and Erik Karlsson (34) are all nonetheless making an attempt to pry the Penguins’ rivalry window open of their NHL sundown years. Though attempt telling that to Malkin, who began the season with 11 factors in seven video games; or Crosby, who stays one of the top centers within the NHL.
If Pittsburgh makes the playoffs, it might be on the backs of this fab 4. Let’s take pleasure in them whereas we are able to.
Washington Capitals
The Gretzky chase
Heading into Tuesday, Alex Ovechkin was simply 41 targets away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s profession mark and formally changing into the best goal-scorer in NHL historical past. Each objective he scores this season is one essential step nearer to a second that can transcend hockey.
The Capitals are absolutely embracing the chase, to the purpose the place they’ve secured a “presenting associate of Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of all-time NHL objective scoring document,” who will sponsor an in-arena objective tracker that’ll replace the margin between the Nice One and the Nice 8, who scored his first of the season in Saturday’s 6-5 OT win vs. the Devils.
Central Division
Chicago Blackhawks
The Connor Bedard Present, Yr 2
Bedard is the franchise savior for the Blackhawks, whose dynasty crumbled within the 10 seasons since their final Stanley Cup win. As an 18-year-old rookie, Bedard captured the Calder Trophy with 22 targets and 39 assists in 68 video games, hitting the spotlight reel with frequency.
In Yr 2, Bedard has extra offensive expertise round him like Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi. Anticipate Bedard to placed on a heck of an encore efficiency, en path to superstardom — if he is not there already.
Colorado Avalanche
Cale Makar goes for 100 factors
Makar has completed lots in his six-year NHL profession, with a Calder Trophy, a Norris Trophy (high defenseman), a Stanley Cup championship and a Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP). Due to accidents and truncated seasons, one milestone has eluded him: 100 factors within the common season. It is a feat completed by simply six defensemen in NHL historical past, most not too long ago Erik Karlsson in 2022-23.
With 12 factors in his first six video games, Makar is making an early offensive assertion for the Avs.
Dallas Stars
Is that this the 12 months?
The final two Western Convention finals matchups included the Dallas Stars. The final two Stanley Cup finals did not characteristic the Dallas Stars. Therefore, this staff is set to recover from the playoff hump.
Regardless of two subsequent journeys (2000 and 2020), the Stars have gained the Stanley Cup solely as soon as, in 1999. With a staff stacked with established stars (Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin), gamers of their prime (Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen) and younger reinforcements (Wyatt Johnston, Logan Stankoven) in entrance of franchise goalie Jake Oettinger, the combo is perhaps proper for the Stars to lastly shine the brightest this season.
Minnesota Wild
Flower’s farewell tour
Wild veteran goalie Marc-Andre Fleury signed a one-year contract extension in April and declared that his twenty first NHL season can be his final.
He is now not the Vezina Trophy-caliber goalie he was 5 seasons in the past, however he stays one of many NHL’s most charismatic stars — as shall be evidenced by the farewell fanfare he receives in his remaining journey across the league.
Nashville Predators
Stamkos, Marchessault of their Nashville period
The Lightning walked away from Steven Stamkos. The Golden Knights did not supply Jonathan Marchessault the contract he was in search of. So each franchise icons grew to become free brokers and located the identical new hockey dwelling: Nashville, which noticed an infusion of star energy, scoring pop and championship pedigree as a method to stage up within the Western Convention.
Will it work? The early returns have not been nice for the Preds, who did not win as soon as of their first 5 video games, however everybody most likely wants a while to get acclimated.
St. Louis Blues
Thomas, Kyrou attempt to recapture the magic
All through their NHL careers with the Blues, forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou have been linemates or have been dispersed by means of the lineup to stability the staff’s offense. Coach Drew Bannister has made it clear early within the season that he’d prefer to see them extra collectively than aside.
Once they’re each clicking, there are solely a handful of duos extra dynamic than Thomas and Kyrou within the West.
Utah Hockey Club
New NHL metropolis, reenergized NHL gamers
When the Arizona Coyotes ceased to exist, and the franchise was relocated to Salt Lake City, they left all of their historical past and stats again in Tempe. Ryan and Ashley Smith basically personal a brand new NHL staff … albeit one with a roster of gamers who have been Coyotes final season.
It has been exhilarating to observe the Utah Hockey Membership (a placeholder title for this season earlier than an official moniker arrives in Yr 2) as offensive abilities like Dylan Guenther, Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley are energized by large crowds, enthusiastic followers and never having to fret about the place the staff will play subsequent season. They wish to put on a show for followers simply stepping into the NHL, and the early returns have been promising.
Winnipeg Jets
Are the Jets for actual?
The Jets have begun the 2024-25 season as the very best staff within the NHL. They have been tied for the league lead in scoring (4.80 targets per sport) and have been second in staff protection (1.60) thanks partially to their goaltending tandem of Connor Hellebuyck and Eric Comrie. This was a 110-point staff final season, and so they wish to present that was no fluke. New coach Scott Arniel has constructed on the consistency of their protection by unlocking one thing of their offense.
It is early, and their schedule has been pleasant, however Winnipeg has regarded spectacular. It’s extremely refreshing to see not less than one professional sports activities staff named the Jets discover their sport this season.
Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks
He is 19 years outdated, 6-foot-3 and a complete delight. The No. 2 overall pick in 2023 had his time restricted by means of load administration as a rookie, however he is being unleashed upon an unsuspecting NHL this season. Look no additional than his extra time sport winner in opposition to Utah earlier this season, when Carlsson collected a free puck, outraced his opponents and undressed Connor Ingram for the objective.
He is bought measurement, ability and a excessive hockey IQ and has in contrast his sport to that of Evgeni Malkin and Aleksander Barkov. Time will inform if he ever will get to that lofty standing, however he is a key to the subsequent wave for the Geese.
Calgary Flames
To retool somewhat than tank?
Whereas some imagine tanking does not exist within the NHL, there have actually been entrance places of work that constructed their rosters in a method to maximize their draft lottery odds. The Flames would look like in such a place, with the exodus of expertise over the previous three seasons.
However GM Craig Conroy has rejected the T-word, saying that the Flames are a “retool on the fly.” Which means, in concept, retaining veteran gamers like Nazem Kadri round somewhat than buying and selling them for future property. Once more, in concept — however the early returns counsel he is on to one thing: the Flames are 4-0-1 coming into Tuesday, atop the Pacific.
Edmonton Oilers
Scaling the mountain once more
Many anticipate the Oilers to win the Stanley Cup this season as a result of their starvation to win one grew to become much more insatiable after dropping to the Florida Panthers in Sport 7 of the Remaining final season. That loss got here after they rallied from a 3-0 deficit within the Remaining, and rallied from 2-1 and 3-2 deficits to eradicate Vancouver within the second spherical … and after they turned their common season round following a disastrous begin.
However final season confirmed what a dangerous, arduous climb it’s to succeed in the championship summit — star middle Connor McDavid‘s breakdown within the dressing room after Sport 7 was proof of that emotional funding. Can Edmonton scale that mountain once more on an expedition led by generational abilities like McDavid and Leon Draisaitl? Or will the climb show to be too steep this season?
Los Angeles Kings
Kopitar’s nonetheless bought it
It is arduous to personal the nook of “37-year-old star middle nonetheless taking part in at an MVP stage inside the context of his staff” when Sidney Crosby remains to be within the NHL. However Anze Kopitar is as soon as once more making his case.
The 2-time Selke Trophy winner crested over 70 factors in every of the previous two seasons and has began sturdy for L.A. this season — proper after they wanted him most, with fellow long-time Kings star Drew Doughty out of the lineup for months with a fractured ankle. The Kings have some vital offensive expertise on the roster. Kopitar remains to be displaying them the way it’s achieved.
San Jose Sharks
Macklin Celebrini, rookie sensation
Celebrini, 18, was the first overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Boston College. He arrives within the NHL because the centerpiece of a multiyear rebuild in San Jose, a franchise that is now seven seasons faraway from championship rivalry.
He has been out since their season opener with a hip damage and is taken into account week to week. However he’s skating once more, which is nice information for the Sharks, who’ve already seen flashes of his offensive wizardry.
Seattle Kraken
Joey Daccord, the individuals’s goalie
OK, so he is not the very best overtime celebration hugger. That solely makes Daccord extra endearing to Kraken followers, who’ve embraced the previous Arizona State College goaltender as their man.
After all, it helps when Daccord rewards that affection on the ice, like when he had a .916 save proportion final season to earn a brand new five-year contract. Daccord has began sturdy in his encore marketing campaign for Seattle, a franchise now in its fourth NHL season.
Vancouver Canucks
The Petey panic
“Let’s discuss Elias Pettersson.” “What is the take care of Canucks’ Elias Pettersson?” “How involved ought to the Canucks be about Elias Pettersson?”
That is only a sampling of the headlines prior to now week relating to Vancouver’s star middle. A sluggish begin (two assists in 5 video games) coupled with a 13-point decline offensively final season and one objective in 13 playoff video games have made the 25-year-old star the topic of a lot conjecture. He is within the first 12 months of an enormous eight-year, $92.8 million contract extension. Will Pettersson calm fears with one other dominant offensive season, or are they warranted?
Vegas Golden Knights
Jack Eichel, All-American
Ever since he arrived in Las Vegas in 2021 — and had the surgical procedure that the Buffalo Sabres refused to permit him to have — Eichel has been probably the greatest two-way facilities within the NHL. He is eleventh within the league over the previous three seasons in factors per sport (1.06) amongst facilities. His defensive sport was on the forefront when Vegas gained the Stanley Cup for the primary time in 2023.
Now in his tenth season, Eichel is the Golden Knights’ key offensive participant — and will serve the identical function for Staff USA on this season’s 4 Nations Faceoff and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
