Reasons to watch every NHL team this season: Record chases, Michkov Mania, ‘Showtime’ in Detroit, more
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Greg Wyshynski, ESPN
The NHL Frozen Frenzy on Tuesday is that rare and joyous occasion when all 32 teams are in action on the same day.
It begins with the Washington Capitals at the Philadelphia Flyers (6 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+) and rolls all the way through the Los Angeles Kings at the Vegas Golden Knights (11 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+). Games start at 15-minute staggered start times to maximize puck consumption on NHL Power Play on ESPN+ (available to all ESPN+ subscribers), and there’s a whip-around show bringing you action from all 16 matchups.
That’s a lot of hockey.
Which teams are worth your time and attention, not only during the Frozen Frenzy but during the 2024-25 season?
It turns out, all of them — for various factors. Here are reasons to watch all 32 teams this season, from superstar players to teams with championship aspirations to controversial storylines to one historic record chase playing out in Washington, D.C.
Here we go, and enjoy the Frenzy.
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Atlantic Division
The hulking defense
The Bruins swear that size didn’t matter when building their blue line, that they were just targeting the best players that fit their needs. It just so happens that the defense they’ve built could be the Boston skyline: They signed 6-foot-6 defenseman Nikita Zadorov this offseason to join Brandon Carlo (6-5), Hampus Lindholm (6-4), Mason Lohrei (6-5) and Andrew Peeke (6-3) in the depth chart. Charlie McAvoy, their No. 1 defenseman, finds himself looking up to his teammates at a mere 6-1.
Zdeno Chara is gone, but apparently his spirit lives on with the Bruins.
Can they end the playoff drought?
There’s only one team in the “big four” sports leagues that has experienced the kind of postseason drought the Sabres are experiencing: The hapless New York Jets, who last made the playoffs in 2010. The Sabres’ last appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs was in 2011, making this the longest postseason dearth in NHL history.
Optimism was high before the season, with burgeoning stars such as Tage Thompson and the return of long-time head coach Lindy Ruff — incidentally, the last man to coach Buffalo to the playoffs. The results aren’t there yet, but there’s a lot of talent on this roster. They’ve got to be a playoff team at some point, right? Right?
It’s still “Showtime”
Some believed Patrick Kane‘s career might have been over after hip resurfacing surgery in 2023, a procedure that other NHL players had undergone only to return as a shell of themselves. But the former league MVP had a resurgent season for the Red Wings in 2023-24, with 27 points in 50 games.
The 35-year-old Kane, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, signed a one-year deal with Detroit to bring “Showtime” back to the Motor City again. He’s the third highest-scoring American player in NHL history (1,286 points) behind Brett Hull (1,391) and Mike Modano (1,374).
Seeking a repeat performance
The Panthers won their first Stanley Cup championship last season with a team that had scoring talent, aggressive physicality and more than a little attitude courtesy of stars such as Matthew Tkachuk. Florida returns the majority of that roster this season in search of a second straight championship, and why not?
Both the Penguins and the Lightning have won back-to-back championships since 2016. The Lightning also made the Stanley Cup Final in three straight seasons from 2020 to 2022, an Eastern Conference three-peat that the Panthers are trying to match this season.
They’re out of the gate strong so far, despite missing star center Aleksander Barkov for most of it.
The thrill of Lane Hutson
Sometimes you just have to listen to the crowd when a player touches the puck. When Hutson has it on this stick at Bell Centre, you can hear the buzz and see people straighten up in their seats as the rookie defenseman starts smoothly skating through each zone. His offensive creativity is like a personal highlights studio. His defense … well, he’s a rookie defenseman, so that can sometimes add its own form of excitement.
The bottom line: Few first-year players will make you tune in this season the way Lane Hutson will.
Linus Ullmark, franchise goalie
For years, the Bruins had the best goaltending tandem in the NHL with Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman. But nothing lasts forever … especially when both goalies wanted to play upwards of 55 games and the Bruins had roster needs under the constraints of the salary cap.
So Ullmark was traded to the Senators, clearing the way for Boston to sign Swayman to an eight-year contract extension and a $8.25 million annual cap hit. Three days later, Ullmark signed an extension of his own: four years and the same $8.25 million cap hit. The Senators had the league’s worst goaltending last season. Can Ullmark turn that around and turn the Senators into a playoff team?
The best line in hockey?
One of the offseason’s biggest stories was when the Lightning let longtime captain Steven Stamkos leave as a free agent in favor of signing former Penguins star Jake Guentzel, who is four years his junior. Guentzel slid into Stamkos’s old spot on Tampa Bay’s top line with Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov, an MVP finalist last season.
He might have made a great thing even better: Through four games, the trio was averaging 6.8 goals per 60 minutes and surrendering just 1.2 goals per 60 defensively.
Mitch Marner and the murky future
Marner, 27, has been a member of the Leafs’ core of star players since entering the league nine seasons ago. He’s a dazzling offensive player, a Selke Trophy-nominated defensive player and a play-driving winger … in the regular season. As Toronto has experienced a lack of playoff success, much of the fans’ frustrations has been focused on Marner’s lack of postseason impact.
He’s in the last year of his contract. Will the Leafs re-sign him? Will they trade him? Does he walk away as a free agent? As usual with the Maple Leafs, there’s no shortage of drama.
Metropolitan Division
The Brind’Amour aesthetic
During Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour’s 20-season NHL career, he was good at pretty much everything: Tallying points, excelling defensively to the tune of two Selke Trophies and making an impact on special teams. It’s said that some teams take on the personalities of their coaches, and that’s true here: last season, Carolina was eighth in offense, fourth in defense, first on the penalty kill and second on the power play.
Even with some downgrades in their lineup during the offseason, to watch the Canes is to watch a team that’s pretty great in all facets of the game. And like their coach when he was a player, one of those facets is how hard Carolina is to play against, a hallmark of Rob the Bod’s six season behind the bench.
Playing through the grief
The answer here should have been Johnny Gaudreau. It’s still hard to process that this remarkable athlete was taken from us way too soon, as the 31-year-old Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles on Aug. 29 in New Jersey. The Blue Jackets have memorialized Johnny Hockey in a dozen ways this season, from helmet stickers to keeping his locker room stall unoccupied to making their player of the game award a “donkey head hat,” as Gaudreau loved calling people “a donkey.”
Young standouts like Adam Fantilli, Yegor Chinakhov, Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson should all get their player of the game moments this season, reminding us that the future in Columbus is bright while honor the legacy of Johnny Gaudreau.
Torrid expectations
Two years ago, the Devils looked poised to challenge for the Stanley Cup. Last season, that poise morphed into volatility, as New Jersey dropped 31 points in the standings and finished seventh in the Metro Division in a season filled with injuries, underperformance and dashed expectations.
No team was more aggressive in trying to fix its flaws than the Devils after last season: Rebuilding their goaltending with Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen; adding veteran defensemen like Brett Pesce; building out their forward depth; and hiring former Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe. After last season’s low, expectations are sky-high again. Will the Devils deliver?
The Bo and Barzal Show
The Islanders’ two most accomplished offensive players are forwards Bo Horvat (33 goals last season) and Mathew Barzal (80 points in 80 games). They played the majority of the time on the same line last season, and coach Patrick Roy has them together again this season.
New York isn’t exactly an offensive juggernaut (22nd in the NHL in goals per game last season) so Horvat and Barzal will have to shoulder a good chunk of the scoring load on a team that’s expected to be around the playoff bubble.
Time for Shesterkin to break the bank?
The Rangers have one of the best goaltenders on the planet in 28-year-old Igor Shesterkin. They know it. Igor knows it. His agents know it, too. As a slew of star goaltenders signed contract extensions recently, the Rangers and Shesterkin couldn’t come to terms on one before the season ahead of unrestricted free agency next summer.
Reports claim he rejected an $88 million contract offer from the Rangers, which would have made him the highest paid NHL goalie of all time. Watching Shesterkin continue to raise his price with all-star level play — or potentially lower it if he unexpectedly struggles this season — is part of the intrigue on a very talented Rangers team this season.
Michkov Mania
The Flyers haven’t had an offensive rookie as talented as forward Matvei Michkov since Claude Giroux arrived on the scene in 2008-09. It could be argued that the Flyers haven’t had an offensive rookie this hyped since Eric Lindros arrived in 1992-23. Michkov has already shown flashes of the dynamic offensive game that had fans buying his jersey before he even played a preseason game for the Flyers.
There will be a learning curve for the 19-year-old phenom, but curmudgeonly coach John Tortorella has said he doesn’t plan on crushing that creativity.
“I’m not interesting in turning him into a checker,” the coach said. “We are starving for the types of instinctive plays that he can make.”
The band plays on
Sidney Crosby (37), Evgeni Malkin (38), Kris Letang (37) and Erik Karlsson (34) are all still trying to pry the Penguins’ contention window open in their NHL sunset years. Although try telling that to Malkin, who started the season with 11 points in seven games; or Crosby, who remains one of the top centers in the NHL.
If Pittsburgh makes the playoffs, it would be on the backs of this fab four. Let’s enjoy them while we can.
The Gretzky chase
Heading into Tuesday, Alex Ovechkin was just 41 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time career goals mark, and officially becoming the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history. Every goal he scores this season is one critical step closer to a moment that will transcend hockey.
The Capitals are fully embracing the chase, to the point where they’ve secured a “presenting partner of Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of all-time NHL goal scoring record,” who will sponsor an in-arena goal tracker that’ll update the margin between the Great One and the Great 8.
Central Division
The Connor Bedard Show, Year 2
Bedard is the franchise savior for the Blackhawks, whose dynasty crumbled in the 10 seasons since their last Stanley Cup win. As an 18-year-old rookie, Bedard captured the Calder Trophy with 61 points in 68 games, including 22 goals, hitting the highlight reel with frequency.
In Year 2, Bedard has more offensive talent around him like Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi. Expect Bedard to put on a heck of an encore performance, en route to superstardom — if he’s not there already.
Cale Makar goes for 100 points
Makar has accomplished plenty in his six-year NHL career: Rookie of the year, the Norris Trophy as top defenseman, a Stanley Cup championship and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Thanks to injuries and truncated seasons, one milestone has eluded him: Scoring 100 points in the regular season. It’s a feat accomplished by just six defensemen in NHL history, most recently Erik Karlsson in 2022-23.
With 12 points in his first six games, Makar is making an early offensive statement for the Avs.
Is this the year?
The last two Western Conference finals matchups included the Dallas Stars. The last two Stanley Cup finals did not feature the Dallas Stars. Hence, this team is determined to get over the playoff hump to the Cup Final.
Despite two subsequent trips in 2000 and 2020, the Stars have only won the Stanley Cup once, in 1999. With a team stacked with established stars (Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin), players in their prime (Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen) and young reinforcements (Wyatt Johnston, Logan Stankoven) in front of franchise goalie Jake Oettinger, the mix might be right for the Stars to finally shine the brightest this season.
Flower’s farewell tour
One NHL veteran that’s skating off into the sunset is goalie Marc-Andre Fleury of the Wild, who signed a one-year contract extension in April and declared that his 21st season would be his final trip around the league.
He’s no longer the Vezina Trophy-caliber goalie he was five seasons ago, but he remains one of the NHL’s most charismatic stars — as will be evidenced by the farewell fanfare he receives away from Minnesota this season.
Stamkos, Marchessault in their Nashville era
The Lightning walked away from Steven Stamkos. The Golden Knights didn’t offer Jonathan Marchessault the contract he was seeking. So both franchise icons became free agents and found the same new hockey home: Nashville, which saw an infusion of star power, scoring pop and championship pedigree as a way to level up in the Western Conference.
Will it work? The early returns haven’t been great for the Preds, who didn’t win once in their first five games, but everyone probably needs some time to get acclimated.
Thomas, Kyrou try to recapture the magic
Throughout their NHL careers with the Blues, forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou have been linemates or have been dispersed through the lineup to balance the team’s offense. Coach Drew Bannister has made it clear early in the season that he’d like to see them more together than apart.
When they’re both clicking, there only a handful of duos more dynamic than Thomas and Kyrou in the West.
New NHL city, reenergized NHL players
When the Arizona Coyotes ceased to exist, and the franchise was relocated to Salt Lake City, they left all of their history and stats back in Tempe. Ryan and Ashley Smith essentially own a new NHL team … albeit one with a roster of players who were Coyotes last season.
It’s been exhilarating to watch the Utah Hockey Club — a placeholder name for this season before an official moniker arrives in Year 2 — as offensive talents like Dylan Guenther, Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley are energized by big crowds, enthusiastic fans and not having to worry about where the team will play next season. They want to put on a show for fans just getting into the NHL, and the early returns have been promising.
Are the Jets for real?
The Jets have begun the 2024-25 season as the best team in the NHL. They were tied for the league lead in scoring (4.80 goals per game) and were second in team defense (1.60) thanks in part to their goaltending tandem of Connor Hellebuyck and Eric Comrie. This was a 110-point team last season, and they want to show that was no fluke. New head coach Scott Arniel has built on the consistency of their defense by unlocking something in their offense.
It’s early, and their schedule has been friendly, but Winnipeg has looked impressive. It’s very refreshing to see at least one pro sports team named the Jets find their game this season.
Pacific Division
He’s 19 years old, 6-foot-3 and a total delight. The No. 2 overall pick in 2023 had his time limited through load management as a rookie, but he’s being unleashed upon an unsuspecting NHL this season. Look no further than his overtime game-winner against Utah earlier this season, when Carlsson collected a loose puck, outraced his opponents and undressed Connor Ingram for the goal:
0:35
Leo Carlsson nets beautiful OT winner for Ducks
Leo Carlsson skates through Utah and fires a point-blank OT winner into the net for Anaheim.
He’s got size, skill, a high hockey IQ and has compared his game to that of Evgeni Malkin and Aleksander Barkov. Time will tell if he ever gets to that lofty status, but he’s a key to the next wave for the Ducks and the NHL as a whole.
Take the keys out of the tank’s ignition?
While some believe tanking doesn’t exist in the NHL, there have certainly been front offices that constructed their rosters in a way to maximize their draft lottery odds. The Flames would appear to be in such a position, what with the exodus of talent over the last three seasons.
But GM Craig Conroy has rejected the T word, saying that the Flames are a “retool on the fly.” That means, in theory, keeping veteran players like Nazem Kadri around rather than trading them for future assets. Again, in theory — but the early returns suggest he’s on to something: the Flames are 4-0-1 entering Tuesday, atop the Pacific.
Scaling the mountain again
Many expect the Oilers to win the Stanley Cup this season because their hunger to win one became even more insatiable after losing to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the Final last season. That loss came after a rally from a 3-0 deficit in the Final; after they rallied to eliminate Vancouver in the second round after seven games; and after they turned their regular-season around from an early-season disaster to a conference championship.
But last season showed what a perilous, arduous climb it is to reach the championship summit — star center Connor McDavid‘s emotional breakdown in the dressing room after Game 7 was evidence of that emotional investment. Can Edmonton scale that mountain again on an expedition led my generational talents like McDavid and Leon Draisaitl? Or will the climb prove to be too steep this season?
Kopitar’s still got it
It’s hard to own the corner of “37-year-old star center still playing at an MVP level within the context of his team” when Sidney Crosby is still in the NHL. But Anze Kopitar is once again making his case.
The two-time Selke Trophy winner crested over 70 points in each of his last two seasons and has started strong for L.A. this season — right when they needed him most, with fellow long-time Kings star Drew Doughty out of the lineup for months with a fractured ankle. The Kings have some significant offensive talent on the roster. Kopitar is still showing them how it’s done.
Macklin Celebrini, rookie sensation
Celebrini, 18, was the first overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Boston University. He arrives in the NHL as the centerpiece of a multi-year rebuild in San Jose, a franchise that’s now seven seasons removed from championship contention.
He’s been out since their season opener with a hip injury, and is considered week to week. But he is skating again, which is great news for Sharks, who have already seen flashes of his offensive wizardry.
Joey Daccord, the People’s Goalie
OK, so he’s not the best overtime celebration hugger. That only makes Daccord more endearing to Kraken fans, who have embraced the former Arizona State University goaltender as their guy.
Of course, it helps when Daccord rewards that affection on the ice, like when he had a .916 save percentage last season to earn a new five-year contract. Daccord has started strong in his encore campaign for Seattle, a franchise now in its fourth NHL season.
The Petey panic
“Let’s talk about Elias Pettersson.” “What’s the deal with Canucks’ Elias Pettersson?” “How concerned should the Canucks be about Elias Pettersson?”
That’s just sampling of the headlines in the last week regarding Vancouver’s star center. A slow start (two assists in five games) coupled with a 13-point decline offensively last season and one goal in 13 playoff games have made the 25-year-old star the subject of much conjecture. He’s in the first year of a massive eight-year, $92.8 million contract extension. Will Pettersson calm fears with another dominant offensive season or are they warranted?
Jack Eichel, All-American
Ever since he arrived in Las Vegas in 2021 — and had the surgery that the Buffalo Sabres refused to allow him to have — Eichel has been one of the best two-way centers in the NHL. He’s 11th in the league over the last three seasons in points per game (1.06) among centers. His defensive game was at the forefront when Vegas won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 2023.
Now in his 10th season, Eichel is the Golden Knights’ key offensive player — and could serve the same role for Team USA in this season’s 4 Nations Faceoff and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
After a longer than expected wait, Shedeur Sanders is finally an NFL player after the Cleveland Browns traded up with the Seattle Seahawks to select him with the 144th pick in the fifth round in the 2025 NFL draft.
Sanders, whose father is Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, played two seasons each with Jackson State and Colorado before declaring for the draft. He threw for 14,327 yards and 134 touchdowns during that span. Deion famously played nine MLB seasons while being an eight-time NFL Pro Bowler. Shedeur will suit up for the Browns, topping a long list of father-son combos across professional and collegiate sports.
Here is a look at other successful father-son combos in sports history.
Multiple sports
Deion Sanders/Deion Sanders Jr./Shilo Sanders/Shedeur Sanders
Father’s accomplishments: Deion played 14 seasons in the NFL. He was drafted No. 5 overall in 1989 by the Atlanta Falcons after being named a two-time All-American at Florida State. Sanders was named a Pro Bowler eight times with 53 interceptions throughout his career and two Super Bowl wins. He also played nine seasons of professional baseball for the Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants. He famously played in a game for the Falcons against the Miami Dolphins, then immediately flew to Pittsburgh to dress for his baseball game with the Braves against the Pirates in the NLCS. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
How his sons followed: Deion Sanders Jr. was a two-star athlete in the 2012 class, signing with SMU as a wide receiver and kick returner. As a sophomore kick returner, Sanders was named a second-team All-American Athletic Conference selection. Shilo was the No. 287-ranked prospect in the 2019 class and signed as a cornerback with South Carolina.
Shilo and Shedeur were coached by their father during their college football seasons with the Jackson State Tigers and Colorado Buffaloes. The Browns selected Shedeur with the No. 144 pick in Round 5 in the 2025 NFL draft.
MLB
Ken Griffey Sr./Ken Griffey Jr.
Father’s accomplishments: Ken Griffey Sr. played 19 seasons in the major leagues, mostly with the Cincinnati Reds. He was part of the Big Red Machine that won World Series titles in 1975 and 1976. Griffey Sr. was a three-time All-Star and finished his career with a .296 batting average, 152 home runs and 859 RBIs. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1980 All-Star Game and has been inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame.
How his son followed: Ken Griffey Jr. also had a long career, playing 22 seasons in the big leagues, including 13 with the Seattle Mariners and nine with Cincinnati. Griffey Jr. was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016. He is seventh all time with 630 career home runs, was a 13-time All-Star and won 10 Gold Gloves for his play in center field. He was the American League MVP in 1997 and led the AL in home runs four times during his career.
In 1990, Griffey Sr. and Griffey Jr., both playing for the Mariners, made history when they became the first father-son duo to hit back-to-back home runs in a game.
Bobby Bonds/Barry Bonds
Father’s accomplishments: Bobby Bonds played the majority of his 14 seasons with the San Francisco Giants and became just the second player to hit 300 career home runs and steal 300 bases, joining Willie Mays. He set records for most times leading off a game with a home run in a season (11) and in a career (35) — both of which have since been broken. Bonds was a three-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner.
How his son followed: Barry Bonds played 22 seasons, mostly with the Giants, and was a seven-time National League MVP. Bonds holds the records for most career home runs, with 762, and most home runs in a season, with 73. He was a 14-time All-Star, 12-time Silver Slugger Award winner and eight-time Gold Glove Award winner. Bonds tied his father for the most seasons with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, with five. He also holds the MLB records for walks (2,558) and intentional walks (688) in a career.
Sandy Alomar/Roberto Alomar/Sandy Alomar Jr.
Father’s accomplishments: Sandy Alomar Sr. competed in 15 seasons and could play all infield and outfield positions. He was an All-Star in 1970 and played a full 162-game season that year and in 1971. Alomar Sr. was a talented bunter and aggressive on the base paths, totaling 227 stolen bases in his career, including 39 in 1971.
How his sons followed: Twelve-time All-Star Roberto Alomar was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011. He won World Series championships with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993. He won more Gold Gloves (10) than any other second baseman and finished his 17-year career with a .300 batting average, 2,724 hits and 210 home runs. Sandy Alomar Jr. was the first rookie catcher to start an All-Star Game, and he won Rookie of the Year and a Gold Glove Award in 1990. Alomar Jr. was named an All-Star six times during his 20-year career and had a 30-game hitting streak in 1997.
Cecil Fielder/Prince Fielder
Father’s accomplishments: Cecil Fielder was a three-time All-Star and won a World Series title with the New York Yankees in 1996. In 1990, he was the first player since George Foster in 1977 to hit at least 50 home runs in a season. Fielder led the American League in home runs in 1990 and 1991 and in RBIs from 1990 to ’92. He hit 319 career home runs, recorded 1,008 RBIs and was a two-time winner of the Silver Slugger Award.
How his son followed: Fielder was the youngest player (23) to hit 50 home runs in a season. Prince Fielder was a six-time All-Star and won the Home Run Derby twice — once as an NL All-Star and once as an AL All-Star. He totaled 319 career home runs, the same number as his father, and drove in 1,028 runs. Fielder was a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner and the AL Comeback Player of the Year in 2015.
Cecil and Prince Fielder are the only father-son duo to each hit 50 home runs in a season.
Vladimir Guerrero/Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Father’s accomplishments: Guerrero spent 16 seasons playing in the MLB for the Montreal Expos, Anaheim Angels, Texas Rangers and the Baltimore Orioles. He was a nine-time All-Star, the 2004 American League MVP and an eight-time winner of the Silver Slugger award. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018 and finished his career with 2,590 hits.
How his son followed: Guerrero Jr. signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015 and made his major league debut in 2019. He hit 48 home runs in the 2021 season and became the second father-son duo to hit 40 home runs in a season, joining Prince and Cecil Fielder in accomplishing that feat. Guerrero has since been a four-time All-Star and a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner for the Blue Jays.
NBA
LeBron James/Bronny James/Bryce James
Father’s accomplishments: LeBron James is still going strong in his 22nd NBA season. He’s the league’s all-time scoring leader and eclipsed 40,000 points last season. LeBron has won four NBA championships and made an NBA-record 20 straight All-Star appearances.
How his sons followed: The Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James with the No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA draft, pairing him with his dad, LeBron, in the NBA. The two appeared in a game together in October 2024, becoming the first father-son duo to do so in NBA history. Bronny is expected to split time between the Lakers and their G-League affiliate. Bryce, LeBron’s youngest son, committed to Arizona in January as part of the Wildcats’ 2025 class.
Dell Curry/Stephen Curry/Seth Curry
Father’s accomplishments: Dell Curry retired as the Charlotte Hornets‘ career scoring leader (9,839 points) and ranked first in 3-pointers made (929). Curry was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 1994 and averaged 11.7 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in his 16-year career.
How his sons followed: Stephen Curry has led the Golden State Warriors to four NBA championships and been named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player twice. Curry is a 10-time All-Star and was the NBA scoring champion in 2016 and 2021. He holds the NBA record for most made 3-pointers in a regular season, with 402, and most consecutive regular-season games with a made 3-pointer, with 268. Seth Curry was a two-time NBA D-League All-Star and has spent time with several NBA teams. He averaged 12.8 points over 70 games in 2016-17 with the Dallas Mavericks.
Doc Rivers/Austin Rivers
Father’s accomplishments: As a player, Doc Rivers was known for his defense, but he averaged a double-double during the 1986-87 season, with 12.8 points and 10.0 assists per game. He was an NBA All-Star in 1988 and played with four teams during his 13-year career. Rivers was named Coach of the Year in 2000 with the Orlando Magic and led the Boston Celtics to an NBA title as their coach in 2008. He was the head coach of the LA Clippers from 2013-2020 and Philadelphia 76ers from 2020-2023. He was announced as the Milwaukee Bucks head coach in January 2024.
How his son followed: In 2015, Austin Rivers was traded to the Clippers and became the first NBA player to play for his father. Rivers has averaged 9.2 points per game in his seven-year career, including 15.1 PPG in 2017-18 with the Clippers. He then played for the Wizards, Rockets, Knicks, Nuggets and the Timberwolves.
Mychal Thompson/Klay Thompson
Father’s accomplishments: Mychal Thompson, the No. 1 pick in the 1978 NBA draft, won back-to-back NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1987 and ’88. Thompson was on the All-Rookie team in 1979 and went on to average 13.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in his career. He averaged a double-double in 1981-82, with 20.8 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.
How his son followed: Klay Thompson won four NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors. Mychal and Klay Thompson became just the fourth father-son duo to each win an NBA title as a player and the first to each win back-to-back championships. Klay is a five-time All-Star, was named to the All-Rookie team in 2012 and won the 3-point contest in 2016. He holds the NBA playoff record for most 3-pointers made in a game, with 11.
Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant/Kobe Bryant
Father’s accomplishments: Joe “Jellybean” Bryant played eight seasons in the NBA before heading to Europe and playing seven seasons with teams in Italy. He scored 53 points in a game twice during the 1987-88 season with Pistoia. Bryant played into his 50s, suiting up for the American Basketball Association.
How his son followed: Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant is fourth in career scoring, with 33,643 points. He played 20 seasons for the Lakers and was named an All-Star 18 times. Bryant was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2008 and the Finals MVP in 2009 and ’10. He was the NBA scoring champion in 2006 and ’07 and was named to the All-NBA first team 11 times and the All-Defensive first team nine times. Kobe had both his No. 8 and his No. 24 retired by the Lakers.
NFL
Archie Manning/Peyton Manning/Eli Manning
Father’s accomplishments: Archie Manning was a quarterback in the NFL for 13 seasons, mostly with the New Orleans Saints. Despite never leading a team to a winning record, Manning made the Pro Bowl in 1978 and ’79. He threw for 125 touchdowns and rushed for 18 during his career. He has been inducted into the Saints’ Ring of Honor and the Saints’ Hall of Fame.
How his sons followed: Peyton Manning was the first pick in the 1998 NFL draft and holds the NFL records for career passing yards (71,940) and passing touchdowns (539). He is the only starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl for two franchises. A 14-time Pro Bowler, Manning was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player five times and a first-team All-Pro seven times.
Eli Manning was the first pick in the 2004 NFL draft and led the New York Giants to two Super Bowl titles, earning Super Bowl MVP honors both times. He is a four-time Pro Bowler, ranks sixth in passing yards in NFL history and started 210 consecutive games from 2004 to 2017, the second-longest streak by a quarterback in NFL history.
Howie Long/Chris Long/Kyle Long
Father’s accomplishments: Eight-time Pro Bowl selection Howie Long played his entire 13-year career with the Raiders organization. The defensive end helped the Raiders win the Super Bowl in 1984, and he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1985. Long finished his career with 84 sacks and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. He also made 10 fumble recoveries and two interceptions during his time in the NFL.
How his sons followed: Chris Long was the No. 2 pick in the 2008 NFL draft and won back-to-back Super Bowls — with the New England Patriots in 2017 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. The defensive end recorded 70 sacks in his 11-year career.
Kyle Long, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, was a guard for the Chicago Bears. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2014 and made the All-Rookie team in 2013.
He returned from his 2019 retirement with a one-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs for the 2021 season but did not play due to injuries.
Clay Matthews Jr./Clay Matthews III/Casey Matthews
Father’s accomplishments: Clay Matthews Jr. played 19 seasons in the NFL, mostly with the Cleveland Browns. He appeared in 278 games, the most by a linebacker, and recorded 1,561 tackles, 69.5 sacks and 16 interceptions in his career. Matthews was a four-time Pro Bowler and was first-team All-Pro in 1984, recording 12 sacks that season.
How his sons followed: Clay Matthews III, a six-time Pro Bowler, helped the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl title after the 2010 season. The linebacker was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2010 and totaled 91.5 sacks, 17 forced fumbles and six interceptions in his 11-year career.
Linebacker Casey Matthews played from 2011 to ’14 for the Philadelphia Eagles and recorded 2.5 sacks.
Christian McCaffrey/Ed McCaffrey
Father’s accomplishments: Ed McCaffrey’s 13-year NFL career included three Super Bowl wins and one Pro Bowl appearance. He earned 7,422 receiving yards and notched 55 receiving touchdowns, a majority of which came with the Denver Broncos. Ed McCaffrey played a key role in the Broncos winning back-to-back championships in 1997 and 1998.
How his son followed: A highly touted recruit out of Stanford, Christian McCaffrey has lived up to the hype in the NFL. In his eighth season, the running back has rushed for 6,224 career yards and 52 touchdowns, including a league-leading 1,459 yards in 2023, when he earned Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr./Jeremiah Trotter
Father’s accomplishments: Drafted by the Eagles in the third round, Jeremiah Trotter suited up for the franchise in eight of his 11 NFL seasons, starting at middle linebacker for the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and member of the All-Pro team once. Trotter recorded 723 solo tackles and nine interceptions during his career.
How his son followed: The Eagles also selected Trotter Jr., this time in the fifth round. Hailing from the Clemson Tigers, Trotter had 25 combined tackles in his first season. He appeared in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl LIX victory, recording one tackle.
NHL
Bobby Hull/Brett Hull
Father’s accomplishments: Bobby Hull received the Hart Memorial Trophy twice as the NHL’s most valuable player and earned the Art Ross Trophy three times as the NHL’s leading points scorer. The left wing won the Stanley Cup in 1961 with the Chicago Blackhawks and was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983. Hull led the NHL in goals seven times and was the second-leading goal scorer in NHL history, with 610, when he retired. Hull won back-to-back All-Star Game MVP awards in 1970 and ’71.
How his son followed: Brett Hull scored 741 goals in his career, the fourth-highest total in NHL history. The right wing won Stanley Cups in 1999 with the Dallas Stars (including scoring the championship-winning goal) and in 2002 with the Detroit Red Wings. Hull scored at least 50 goals in five consecutive seasons, and his 86 goals in 1990-91 are the third most in a season in NHL history. He was named the NHL’s MVP that season and received the Hart Memorial Trophy. Hull was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009, joining his father to become the first father-son duo in the Hall.
Keith Tkachuk/Matthew Tkachuk/Brady Tkachuk
Father’s accomplishments: Keith was selected 19th overall in the 1990 NHL draft and played for 18 years with four different teams. He finished his career with 527 goals and 1,065 points. At the time that he scored his 500th goal, he was just the fourth American-born player to achieve that milestone and was the sixth American-born player with 1,000 points.
How his sons followed: Matthew was selected sixth in the 2016 NHL draft by the Calgary Flames but has since been traded to the Florida Panthers, where he helped lead the team to a 2024 Stanley Cup title.
Brady was taken with the fourth pick in the 2018 draft by the Ottawa Senators. He was named the team’s captain in 2021 and has scored 171 regular-season goals in his career.
Auto racing
Dale Earnhardt/Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Father’s accomplishments: Dale Earnhardt won 76 Winston Cup races, including the 1998 Daytona 500. Earnhardt claimed seven NASCAR Winston Cup championships, tying Richard Petty for the most all time. It was 22 years before Jimmie Johnson matched the accomplishment in 2016. Earnhardt died as a result of a collision on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 and was posthumously inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame inaugural class in 2010.
How his son followed: Dale Earnhardt Jr. won 26 Cup series races, including the Daytona 500 twice (2004, 2014). He had 260 top-10 finishes in Cup races in his career. Junior was a fan favorite, winning the Most Popular Driver award 15 times. He was the Busch Series champion in 1998 and ’99 before being named NASCAR Rookie of the Year in 2000. He is retired and a broadcaster now.
Next generation
Gilbert Arenas/Alijah Arenas
Alijah Arenas, a five-star, 6-foot-6 guard from Southern California, announced his commitment to USC in January 2025. He picked the Trojans over his father’s alma mater, the Arizona Wildcats, while also receiving offers from the Kansas Jayhawks, Louisville Cardinals and Kentucky Wildcats. He reclassified in December from the class of 2026 to 2025.
Carmelo Anthony/Kiyan Anthony
A four-star shooting guard from New York, Kiyan Anthony announced his commitment to Syracuse in November 2024. Kiyan follows in the footsteps of his father, Carmelo, who averaged 22.5 points and 6.2 rebounds across a 19-season NBA career. Carmelo spent a season at Syracuse, leading the Orange to the 2003 national championship.
Dikembe Mutombo/Ryan Mutombo:
Ryan followed in his father’s footsteps and played for the Georgetown Hoyas as a 7-foot-2 center. He transferred to play for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets after three seasons with the Hoyas.
Penny Hardaway/Jayden Hardaway/Ashton Hardaway:
Both Jayden and Ashton played for their father with Memphis. Jayden is a guard who averaged 3.1 points per game in the 2023-24 season, while Ashton averaged 2.3.
Dajuan Wagner/D.J. Wagner:
D.J. spent the 2023-24 season with the Kentucky Wildcats, averaging 9.9 points and 3.3 assists per game. He transferred to the Arkansas Razorbacks after the season.
Dennis Rodman/DJ Rodman:
DJ was a 6-foot-6 forward for USC. He averaged 8.4 points per game and made 36.2% of his 3-point shots in the 2023-24 season for the Trojans. He went undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft.
Shaquille O’Neal/Shaqir O’Neal:
Shaqir is a 6-foot-8 forward at Florida A&M. He averaged 1.8 points per game in the 2023-24 season for Texas Southern.
Peja Stojakovic/Andrej Stojakovic:
Andrej was a McDonald’s All-American out of high school before committing to the Stanford Cardinal. He averaged 7.8 points per game as a freshman for the Cardinal. He transferred to UC Berkeley after the 2023-24 season.
Jerry Rice/Brenden Rice:
Brenden transferred to the USC Trojans from the Colorado Buffaloes prior to the 2022 season and led the Trojans with 12 touchdown receptions in 2023. He had 791 yards receiving on the year and was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2024 NFL draft.
Marvin Harrison/Marvin Harrison Jr.:
Harrison Jr. won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best wide receiver and finished the 2023 season with 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was selected No. 4 by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2024 NFL draft as one of the best receiver prospects available.
Frank Gore Sr./Frank Gore Jr.:
Gore Jr. was No. 32 among all FBS running backs in rush yards in 2023 with 1,131. He had 10 rushing touchdowns and averaged 4.9 yards per rush. Gore Jr. went undrafted in 2024 but signed with the Buffalo Bills.
Emmitt Smith/E.J. Smith:
E.J. had a slow start to his collegiate career with just 587 rush yards and five touchdowns in four seasons with Stanford. He transferred to Texas A&M in 2024.
Honorable mentions
Ray Boone/Bob Boone/Bret Boone/Aaron Boone; Felipe Alou/Moises Alou; Tom Gordon/Dee Gordon/Nick Gordon; Rick Barry/Brent Barry/Jon Barry; Bill Walton/Luke Walton; Larry Nance/Larry Nance Jr.; Tim Hardaway/Tim Hardaway Jr.; Bruce Matthews/Jake Matthews/Kevin Matthews; Jackie Slater/Matthew Slater; Gordie Howe/Mark Howe; J.P. Parise/Zach Parise; Peter Stastny/Paul Stastny; Lee Petty/Richard Petty/Kyle Petty; Mario Andretti/Michael Andretti/Jeff Andretti/Marco Andretti; Ken Norton Sr./Ken Norton Jr.; Calvin Hill/Grant Hill; Peter Schmeichel/Kasper Schmeichel
Two years after the five-star quartet of quarterbacks in the ESPN 300 were wowing fans and garnering “next big thing” buzz for their abilities, reality has hit harder than the most ferocious blitzing linebackers.
As college football’s spring transfer portal closed Friday, Malachi Nelson, Jackson Arnold and Dante Moore are looking to ignite their careers at schools different from their initial ones. Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is the only one from that 2023 group who has stayed with his first choice.
All four quarterbacks were ranked in the top five of the ESPN 300 that year.
“It’s really just a sign of the times,” ESPN’s director of football recruiting Billy Tucker said. “That class wasn’t any less special because they transferred. It’s just that the culture now is about instant gratification. I don’t know that what happened with the 2023 quarterbacks isn’t the norm.”
Nelson was the top ranked prospect in 2023 and began his collegiate career with the USC Trojans.
As a freshman, he served as a backup to Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner. Nelson threw only three passes that season.
Nelson transferred to Boise State, where he lost out on the starting spot to Maddux Madsen, who led the team to a 12-2 record and an appearance in the College Football Playoff.
Again, Nelson barely saw playing time, going 12-of-17 for just 66 yards last season before reentering the portal.
In January, he reportedly turned down more lucrative offers to join Scotty Walden at UTEP, where the path to being a starter seems like a forgone conclusion.
Moore checked in at No. 2 in 2023 and began his career at UCLA, where he struggled to find a rhythm in limited playing time. In nine games with the Bruins, Moore threw 11 touchdowns, nine interceptions and got sacked 16 times. He transferred to Oregon in December 2023 — after a year sitting behind star quarterback Dillon Gabriel in 2024. Moore appears to be the heir apparent in Eugene though it isn’t guaranteed.
“For most high-profile prospects these days, and certainly quarterbacks, the path to the starting spot needs to be clear by spring of their freshman year,” Tucker said. “And if it’s not then there’s a really good chance they’ll leave.”
The opposite happened for Arnold at Oklahoma, but it still wasn’t enough.
The 6-foot-1, 211-pounder was ranked No. 3 in 2023 and won Gatorade National Player of the Year as a high school senior. By his sophomore season in Norman, he earned the starting position.
Arnold amassed 1,421 passing yards, 444 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns in a dismal 6-6 season that saw him get demoted and promoted. The tumultuous experience prompted Arnold to transfer to Auburn in December. His path to outright starter seems imminent.
Then there’s Manning, who checked in at No. 5 overall in 2023.
Being the grandson of New Orleans Saints legend Archie Manning and nephew of Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch summed up his thought process about remaining at Texas in five words in a recent news conference, simply saying, “Sometimes it’s worth the wait.”
In two years in Austin, Manning has appeared in nine games, two of which he started.
Last season, he went 61-of-90 passing for 939 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 108 yards and four more scores.
Now, the stage is set for him to lead the Longhorns during the 2025 season.
“This used to be the norm,” Tucker said of Manning waiting his turn. “You wait the two years and you’re starting as a junior. Now, even if you’re getting paid, it’s not enough if you’re not starting. Any adversity and the guys are leaving. It’s just the current landscape in college football.”
Tucker, who also serves as director of the Under Armour All-America Game, said he would caution current and future stars about using the transfer portal entry as a knee-jerk reaction.
“Look at Georgia, a lot of their defensive guys are one-year starters and then they’re in the NFL first round,” Tucker said. “It’s not like you need three years of proven production to make it. That NIL money could get multiplied by at least five in my opinion. If you can stay the course and have one to two good years at a proven program, you’ll more than make up any money you could’ve lost in NIL. It’s more about the people guiding these players not being as informed as they need to be. It stinks, but until there are rules to govern the current landscape, we’ll continue to see this.”
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