playGreg WyshynskiOct 13, 2026, 08:00 AM ETCloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.Multiple AuthorsOpen Extended ReactionsHockey’s greatest buffet returns on Tuesday, Oct. 13, as the Frozen Frenzy returns to ESPN. All 32 teams battle on the same night, giving fans a chance to sample the contenders, pretenders and those teams that are downright fascinating so far this season.A few notes from last October’s Frenzy:109 goals were scored in 16 gamesRoad teams were 9-6-1Five games went into overtime or a shootoutESPN has a tripleheader featuring the New Jersey Devils at the Detroit Red Wings (6 p.m. ET); the Colorado Avalanche at the Dallas Stars (8:30 p.m. ET); and the Boston Bruins facing the San Jose Sharks in the nightcap (11 p.m.
ET). The start times for all 16 games are staggered to maximize channel surfing on NHL Power Play on the ESPN App.In addition, there are five hours of continuous Frozen Frenzy whip-around coverage hosted by John Buccigross and Kevin Weekes on ESPN2, Disney+ and the ESPN App.That’s a lot of hockey. Luckily, there are a lot of reasons to watch it.Here are compelling players, trends and storylines for all 32 teams to keep in mind as the Frozen Frenzy washes over you:Atlantic DivisionBoston BruinsCaptain PastaDavid Pastrnak was named the 28th captain in this Original Six franchise’s history, and for good reason: Very few star players in the NHL mean as much to their team’s fortunes as Pasta does for the B’s.Since 2022-23, Pastrnak has strung together four straight 100-point seasons. He has 436 points in 329 games during that span, including 254 goals.
The next-highest scorer for Boston trails him by 206 points since 2022 (Pavel Zacha, 230). It’s Pasta’s world.Buffalo SabresPlayoff rematchThe Sabres weren’t simply satisfied with ending their NHL-record 14-season playoff drought. Buffalo had its eyes on a larger prize after eliminating the Bruins in six games in the opening round.But the Montreal Canadiens shattered those dreams, eliminating the Sabres on a Game 7 overtime goal by Alex Newhook. It was a series with some animosity.
One assumes that ill will carries over to the first regular-season meeting between the teams since that playoff battle.Detroit Red WingsThe Dylan Larkin dramaThe most compelling ongoing hockey soap opera is playing out in Detroit. Captain Dylan Larkin requested a trade despite having five seasons left on an eight-year contract with the Red Wings. Possessing a no-trade clause, Larkin provided just three teams to whom he would accept a trade — and none of the three had the personnel or cap space to make a deal for him.Larkin’s list has reportedly expanded, but that gambit was enough to catch the eye (and a little ire) of commissioner Gary Bettman, who said the league will keep an eye on how players are using their trade protection to force moves to specific destinations.Meanwhile, Larkin rejoined the Red Wings, who stripped him of his captaincy. He was booed on opening night, while standing in street clothes, injured.
When he returned to the lineup, he was booed again. In a surreal moment, the Red Wings center was cheered by fans in Montreal who chanted “We want Larkin!” in an effort to convince him to waive his trade protection for a Canadian destination. What twist comes next?Florida PanthersThe TkachuksWhile initially refusing to succumb to the urge, Panthers coach Paul Maurice finally gave fans what they’ve been asking to see: truculent brothers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk centered by the equally coarse Sam Bennett.Before the season, Maurice said putting these three provocateurs together would result in them being “in jail before the puck drops.” But now he admits the trio “brought a little juice” to a team missing both Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand to injury.Montreal CanadiensCan Juraj Slafkovsky snap the slump?Slafkovsky, the first overall pick in the 2022 draft, leveled up to star status last season with 30 goals and 43 assists (73 points), setting new career highs. But he has just one goal in five games this season, as part of a quiet offensive start for the Habs overall.Slafkovsky was moved off Montreal’s top line in favor of free agent signee Chris Kreider, and then saw new linemate Ivan Demidov get injured.
Slafkovsky was shifted back to the top line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield recently, but they’ve yet to recapture the magic.Ottawa SenatorsBrady who?The Senators traded captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers — a.k.a. “his brother’s team” — after Tkachuk informed the team he wasn’t going to sign a new contract with Ottawa when his deal is up in 2028. Ottawa lost a pace-setting point-per-game player, but based on the early returns they aren’t exactly missing him.The Senators sprinted out to four wins in their first five games thanks to their stout defensive game and a blazing start by Tim Stutzle (eight points), Tkachuk’s former linemate. Spite is a heck of a motivator.Tampa Bay LightningHigh-IQ Nikita KucherovThe Lightning star made waves before the season when he was asked about how the game has changed in his 13-season NHL career.
“The game is faster but very dumb. Low IQ,” he told reporters.Of course, watching the brilliant Kucherov — who won his second Hart Trophy as NHL MVP last season — one realizes he’s playing high-speed chess while his opponents play tiddlywinks. On Frenzy night, Kucherov leads the Lightning against the Rangers, who defeated the Bolts 5-1 in their season opener.Toronto Maple LeafsGavin McKenna, phenomIt’s still mind-blowing to think that the Maple Leafs, one season after star Mitch Marner defected to the Golden Knights, won the draft lottery and the chance to draft another Canadian-born phenom winger — who doubles as a beacon of hope for the franchise.McKenna already got a taste of the Toronto media after failing to score in his first three games. He had four points in his next three games.
Just 18 years old, McKenna is a young star worth searching out in the Frenzy.Metropolitan DivisionCarolina HurricanesAnother Washington testThe reigning Stanley Cup champions didn’t skip a beat, earning 11 out of 14 points to start the season. Sebastian Aho has been dominant (six goals, five assists) for a team that’s getting scoring throughout the lineup — heck, Mark Jankowski has a four-game goal streak.But the Canes’ lone regulation loss came at the hands of the Capitals, who beat them 5-2 in Raleigh. They get Washington again in the Frozen Frenzy, ready to respond against the team many feel is the Canes’ toughest competition in the Metro.Columbus Blue JacketsSpotlight on Matthew KniesThe Blue Jackets made the season’s biggest trade so far when they sent winger Kirill Marchenko to the Maple Leafs.Marchenko wanted out, but Columbus was only going to move him for the right trade centerpiece. They jumped at the chance to land Knies, the 23-year-old power winger who scored 52 goals over the past two seasons skating with star Auston Matthews.In Columbus, Knies will get his own chance to be a “face of the franchise” guy.
Perhaps what made him most compelling for the Jackets: He’s signed through 2030-31.New Jersey DevilsThe dynamic duoJack Hughes is the focal point of the Devils and for good reason: The 25-year-old Olympic hockey legend is one of the NHL’s most dynamic talents. But Hughes is never more exciting than when he’s buzzing around the ice with New Jersey’s other all-world offensive talent: winger Jesper Bratt, 28, who eclipsed a point-per-game pace in two of the past three seasons.Two players with elite skating ability, pinpoint puck-handling and endless creativity. We’re not saying that we want the Devils’ game in Detroit to go to the 3-on-3 to see Hughes and Bratt work their magic. But we wouldn’t complain if it happened.New York IslandersMatthew Schaefer’s enthusiasmLast season’s unanimous choice for NHL rookie of the year, Schaefer’s personality on and off the ice shifted the vibes for the Islanders.
He also established himself as one of th
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