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Rachel Farmer
multiple authors
The 2026 Frozen Four is scheduled to take place on Thursday and Saturday and marks the first time the event is being held in Las Vegas.
The tournament features a ton of NHL-bound talent and a player who is likely to be selected in the early first round of the 2026 draft.
Winning the Frozen Four isn’t about which team has the most talent, it’s about which players can perform under the lights, commit to the details and make key saves. More than a handful of players in the tournament will find themselves in NHL lineups next season — if not next week.
As the final three games of the collegiate season get underway, here’s a look at who to keep an eye on on each team, their NHL potential and when they might play a regular role in the NHL.
Join a team:
michigan | North Dakota
denver | wisconsin
michigan wolverines
big ten
Life is really good in Ann Arbor right now. With the arrival of the Michigan men’s basketball team NCAA ChampionshipsIts hockey team now has a real chance to win the Frozen Four. The Wolverines are loaded with high-level talent, and some players may be playing meaningful NHL minutes soon.
A lot of scouting eyes will be on Hobey Baker nominee TJ Hughes, the top college free agent this offseason. Hughes is expected to sign an NHL contract when his season ends and if time allows, he will make his NHL debut. Hughes, a right-handed center, is poised to play a middle-six role in the NHL, generating secondary offense and winning matchups. Hughes already looks like an NHL player, and although he would likely benefit from some AHL time, the key to signing him may come down to teams offering him an immediate NHL roster spot.
Michael Hayes will play his final NCAA game this weekend and is expected to sign with montreal canadiens At the conclusion of the tournament. Hayes is an amazing talent who looks to be the part of a second row center back. nick suzuki Over the next decade. Hayes has superb offensive decision-making and a deceptive curl-and-release, and is a dominant play driver. The Canadiens are hoping he is ready to contribute as the team plays tough divisional playoff games in the coming weeks.
Malcolm Spence (New York Rangers) found himself on the top line with Hughes and Jayden Perron (carolina storm), and all three helped Michigan clinch a spot in the Frozen Four. Spence is a fast, one-on-one player who has excellent hands and the ability to play from the left and right wing. He has the versatility and playing style that will make him an ideal middle-of-the-line player in the NHL who wins battles and forechecks and creates havoc at the net front.
Peron is an offensive creator with great hands. He’s on the smaller side, which makes his path to the NHL more difficult, but his offense has come alive in the most important part of Michigan’s season. Perron has a chance to become an impactful NHL forward in the top six, but he must find more consistency or he is unlikely to remain in the NHL.
Will Horcoff (pittsburgh penguins) has performed well this season and should get an opportunity to develop his play-driving ability with the Wolverines next season, as some of the top forwards will be leaving Ann Arbor. Horcoff is potentially a high-end third-line forward or an excellent play driver as well as a second-line player in the NHL.
Nick Moldenhauer (Toronto Maple Leafs) has been solid in the bounce-back season, providing attack at critical times. Toronto’s management flow may impact their desire to sign immediately, but Moldenhauer has third-line potential in the NHL if he can build off of his strong season.
North Dakota Fighting Hawks
NCHC
North Dakota is back in the Frozen Four for the first time since 2016, and with a purpose. The second-place team is playing the home Frozen Four as host, although in Las Vegas instead of North Dakota.
The Fighting Hawks have some serious NHL talent on their roster, led by projected 2026 lottery pick Keaton Verhoef. Scouts and NHL executives will be watching him like hawks in the Frozen Four, with the expectation that Verhoef will go very early in the June draft. Verhoef has the potential to be a top-pairing NHL defender and a foundational player for a contender. There’s no doubt that teams are eager to add elite defensemen given their importance in today’s game.
Another defender to keep an eye on is EJ Emery (Rangers). He is an above-average skater and has value as a big, right-handed defender. He has been a top defender for North Dakota this season and will play important matchups against some of the NCAA’s best offensive units at similar strength and penalty kill. To reach his potential as a middle-pairing defenseman in the NHL, he needs to add raw strength and improve his puck-moving game. He is at least two years away from the Rangers lineup, but with projective attributes, he should be part of the next Rangers upswing.
coal resin (calgary flames) scored at a point-per-game pace as a freshman and was a dominant two-way player for the Fighting Hawks this season. He is only one point behind the team lead in scoring, despite playing a significant penalty-killing role and having a disappointing shooting percentage (about 9%). His play on and off the puck – coupled with his compete level – has all the potential to be a two-way impact center in the NHL. His ceiling is as a second-line center, but he’s likely a contender for the third-line.
Will Zellers (boston bruins) had a very good season as a freshman, including scoring the winning goal in each of the USA World Junior Team’s victories. It’s about having the ability to perform when the stage is the biggest, and there’s no bigger stage in the NCAA than the Frozen Four. He plays in the middle of the ice, getting into scoring areas and beating goaltenders with a shot that can break locks. He’s a secondary offensive type of NHLer, but he’s really the guy who scores a big playoff goal to tip the series – even if he’s a few years away from being in a position to do so.
denver pioneers
NCHC
Denver comes into the Frozen Four firing on all cylinders as the hottest team in the country in the second half of the season.
With less first-round talent than the favorites, Denver is excited by Hobey Baker finalist Eric Pohlkamp (san jose sharks). The 22-year-old led all NCAA defensemen in scoring this season with 39 points in 41 games and powered Denver through the stretch run. Pohlkamp is one of several young defenders in the Sharks system, but he is their best defensive prospect on the right side. His size (5-11, 205 pounds) works against him, but his playing style and physical build give him a chance to become a regular NHL defender in the No. 4/5 role who runs the second power-play unit.
James Reader (Los Angeles Kings) is a clever winger who plays with pace. Following the projected growth curve, his production increased by more than 50% from the previous season. His off-puck movement is one of the best in the NCAA and this enhances his ability to facilitate turnovers, find quiet areas and be in good spots on the defensive side. He’s been a consistently positive impact player for Denver as he’s won his minutes, and he’s provided reliable production even at even strength. Reeder’s size and lack of elite production gives him a long shot at making it to the NHL, but he’s likely to be a productive AHL player who could serve as a call-up.
Reeder’s opposite winger, Rieger Lorenz (minnesota wild), is likely to be a quality AHL player, given his physical attributes, with a better chance of making the NHL in a bottom-six role. Both have a chance to increase their value by making an impact in the Frozen Four with solid performances.
wisconsin badgers
big ten
After upsetting Michigan State with a third period comeback and eventual overtime winner to reach the Frozen Four, the Badgers are riding high. Unlike their rivals, who relied on NHL-affiliated talent in their early 20s, Wisconsin is an experienced team led by players who are unlikely to have an NHL career. Given his performance in the tournament, he is worthy of attention for potential AHL free agent deals.
The captain, Ben Dexheimer, is a small, right-handed defender who scored the OT winner against Michigan State and should draw some attention as a defender who can provide depth within an organization. He has good offensive instincts, skates well and plays a reliable two-way game. He’s unlikely to become a full-time NHL defender, but his profile could provide solid AHL minutes.
Left wing Quinn Finley (New York Islanders) has developed into a wonderful collegiate player who has produced reliable performances at nearly a point-per-game pace over the past two seasons. His consistent work rate, combined with his above-average skills and quality release give him a good chance to make the NHL. Hopefully the Isles will sign him and assign him to the AHL for further development. Finley is most likely to be a player who can slot into the bottom six and provide reliable minutes, make plays and occasionally generate offense.
