Top Contenders for the 2026 Frozen Four in Las Vegas
Perhaps the most anticipated college hockey season in recent memory is less than two months away. We will see CHL players like Gavin McKenna and Keaton Verhoeff take the ice for the first time in NCAA history after a rule change. Coupled with transfer rules and NIL deals, there are endless moving parts that are difficult to track.
Since the 2020 cancelled tournament, UMass, Quinnipiac and Western Michigan all won their first championships, while Denver won its ninth and 10th titles. UMass, Quinnipiac and Western Michigan all had few draft picks and none higher than the third round, proving that a team doesn't need to be a true blueblood to reach the peak. In fact, Zeev Buium is the only first-round pick to win a national championship in that stretch. This is simply a trend and not necessarily a predictor, especially with the wave of CHL talent heading to college, but it's worth keeping in mind when evaluating contenders this season.
We'll factor this in when looking at possible betting futures for the 2026 Frozen Four in Las Vegas. As you'll see in this article, it's important to shop around for the best odds, as there are multiple teams with significant discrepancies between sportsbooks. All odds are subject to change after this article is published.
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Analyzing Betting Odds and Value Picks for College Hockey Teams
THE FAVORITES
Penn State (FanDuel +700)
Penn State immediately became the favorite following news that Gavin McKenna -- the expected 2026 No. 1 pick -- would enroll after dominating the WHL over the last two seasons. He'll likely be the second NCAA player in three years to go first overall, as Macklin Celebrini (2024) most recently got the honor. Make no mistake, McKenna is a future NHL superstar and should push for the Hobey Baker Award like Celebrini, but he's probably a tick lower as a prospect because of his average size and position at wing instead of center. Celebrini posted two points per game as a 17-year-old freshman, providing a reasonable projection for McKenna.
Regardless, the odds here don't provide any value. When the 2025 NCAA Tournament field was set at 16 teams last season, No. 1 seed Boston College received +285 odds and No. 2 seed Michigan State had +400 odds on DraftKings. Eventual national champion and No. 3 seed Western Michigan had +700 odds. That means betting on Penn State right now is betting that they'll be a Top 2 seed in March and they win a national championship. There are significant barriers standing in the way. The Nittany Lions are a young team that will need to adjust quickly to the bigger, faster and older players in the NCAA. Furthermore, their goaltending is a major question mark after Arsenii Sergeev signed with the Flames. This team should comfortably make the tournament, but you're better off waiting and getting similar value later in the season.
Boston University (DraftKings +800)
The Terriers have made the Frozen Four in all three seasons under head coach Jay Pandolfo, most recently falling in the national championship to Western Michigan. Replacing their entire top line of Quinn Hutson, Ryan Greene and Shane Lachance which accounted for 48 goals last year is no small task, but no team is better positioned than the Terriers, as they have a nation-high 21 draft picks that can immediately slot into those roles. Cole Eiserman (Islanders) led the Terriers with 25 goals as an 18-year-old freshman, and Mikhail Yegorov (Devils) registered a .927 save percentage over just half a season last year. They also landed two of the top transfers in Sacha Boisvert (Blackhawks) and Owen McLaughlin (Flyers) after the duo led North Dakota in scoring last year. Yegorov should be a Mike Richter Award favorite, and his ability to steal a game on any given night provides the Terriers an excellent chance to earn their first national championship since 2009. Out of the favorites, Boston University gets my nod.
Michigan State (FanDuel +900)
Trey Augustine will return for a third season at Michigan State after recording a .924 save percentage and 2.08 GAA while posting a 19-7-4 record last season. The Red Wings prospect gives the Spartans a chance every night, and they have continued to reinforce the skaters in front of him. While Isaac Howard -- last year's Hobey Baker winner -- signed with the Oilers this summer, the Spartans quickly recruited 2025 No. 6 pick Porter Martone (Flyers) to join a class that already features 2024 No. 4 pick Cayden Lindstrom (Blue Jackets) and 2025 No. 26 pick Ryker Lee (Predators). The Spartans blend young stars and veteran talents like Charlie Stramel (Wild) and Daniel Russell, setting themselves up well for a Top 4 seed in the tournament. Their current price still provides decent value, especially with a FanDuel promo code, and I'd happily take them over Penn State.
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VALUE OPTIONS
Michigan (DraftKings +1,000)
The Wolverines had four players taken in the first two rounds of this year's draft after they poached forward Malcolm Spence (Rangers) and goaltender Jack Ivankovic (Predators) from the OHL to join holdover Will Horcoff (Penguins) and USHL forward Cole McKinney (Sharks). They'll join 2024 first-rounder Michael Hage (Canadiens) after he stacked up 34 points over 33 games as a freshman. Ivankovic could be an immediate starter and would face the most pressure of the youngsters if he wins the job. The 5-foot-11 netminder looks ready to answer the call, however, as he was named the top goaltender at World Juniors this past year. How quickly acclimates to the NCAA will dictate how far this team goes. In front of him, the Wolverines are star-studded with 11 draft picks that are supported by plenty of veteran experience, including North Dakota transfer Jayden Perron (Hurricanes), forming a team that could push Michigan State for the Big Ten title. I still have more confidence in Michigan State during the regular season because of Augustine, but if Ivankovic improves and settles in as the year progresses, the Wolverines can make some noise in Vegas.
Denver (FanDuel +1,500)
Every year we squabble over who's going to win the Super Bowl, but betting on the Chiefs turns out fine more often than not. Denver is that team in college hockey. The Pioneers have won two of the last four national championships, and they have made the Frozen Four in four of the last six tournaments under head coach David Carle, who is staying after turning down yet another NHL opportunity. They lost key pieces at each level with star goaltender Matthew Davis graduating, defenseman Zeev Buium signing with the Wild, and forwards Jack Devine, Aidan Thompson and Carter King all going pro. Carle didn't dip into the transfer portal, but he's bringing in heavy hitters from the CHL, headlined by defenseman Clarke Caswell (Kraken) and Kristian Epperson (Kings), while banking on his younger players to take on leadership roles. Newcomer goalies John Hicks and Quentin Miller have big shoes to fill with Davis out the door, but both goalies were highly successful in the WHL and QMJHL, respectively. The star power leaving won't be matched by this year's current roster, but Denver still has 14 draft picks on board, providing a deep corps for a Carle-led team that always outperforms its talent. Jump on this value.
Western Michigan (DraftKings +2,000)
After the calendar flipped to 2025, Western Michigan was truly dominant en route to the school's first national championship in any sport since 1967. Unfortunately, forwards Alex Bump (Flyers) and Tim Washe (Ducks) both signed with their respective pro teams. Washe is an interesting case study, as he posted 36 points through his first four seasons before exploding for 38 points through 42 games last year. Head coach Pat Ferschweiler will continue to lean on his proven internal development to replenish the cupboards. There are plenty of candidates with the Broncos returning five players who scored at least 10 goals, including Owen Michaels, the Most Outstanding Player in the Frozen Four. Michaels' trajectory could help replace the void left by Bump while budding stars Grant Slukynsky (36 points, 42 games) and Liam Valente (33 points, 42 games) also project for more production with their added responsibilities this year. Perhaps most importantly, Hampton Slukynsky (Kings) will return to the crease after posting a .922 save percentage last season.
Maine (DraftKings +2,000)
Much like Michigan State, Maine will return its star goaltender Albin Boija for a third season. Boija registered a .928 save percentage, a 1.82 GAA and a 23-8-6 record last season, carrying the Black Bears to the No. 4 seed in the tournament. Unfortunately, they drew a tough first matchup and lost in a de facto road game versus Penn State. The departures of Harrison Scott and Taylor Makar -- the team's top two points scorers last year -- are concerning, but they're gaining highly productive forward Max Scott (Brown) out of the transfer portal and a bevy of touted recruits in their freshman class, including Justin Poirier (Hurricanes), who led his QMJHL team with 43 goals over 58 games last year. With last season's success in tow and another year of experience under the belts of the younger skaters, Maine is a screaming value on DraftKings. At the time of this article, Maine has a +2,000 line on DraftKings but is +900 on both FanDuel and BetMGM. Those looking for even better odds can use a DraftKings promo code.
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LONGSHOTS
Arizona State (DraftKings +3,500)
Head coach Greg Powers has something cooking in the desert. The Sun Devils were 18-5-1 down the stretch last season and were one of the last teams left out of the tournament. Despite losing their top three scorers to the pros, they have plenty of talent and experience to immediately fill those roles with first-round pick Cullen Potter (Flames), Cruz Lucius (Penguins) -- who missed half of last season with a hip injury -- Bennett Schimek and Kyle Smolen on board. Perhaps their biggest addition is goalie Connor Hasley, who had 11 shutouts for Bentley last season and nearly stole the first-round game against Boston College. The NCHC is a different beast than the AHA, but Hasley has proven he can hang with the bluebloods. It will be exciting to see what he can do with more support in front of him. It's worth a sprinkle at the current price tag.
UMass (FanDuel +4,500)
A 2023 second-round pick by the Coyotes (now the Mammoth), Michael Hrabal has been stellar since starting school, displaying a .924 save percentage through 36 games as a sophomore last year. The Mammoth wanted to sign the 6-foot-6 netminder, but the Czech star chose to return to UMass after getting bumped in the second round of the NCAA tournament last year. They lost two 20-goal scorers in Cole O'Hara and Aydar Suniev. Neither of those players were stars before last season, though, so head coach Greg Carvel will look to replicate that level of development with forward Jack Musa, RIT transfer Matthew Wilde and defenseman Francesco Dell'Elce (Avalanche). This team has enough talent to get into the tournament, and they'll go as far as Hrabal goes.
Wisconsin (FanDuel +6,000)
The Badgers finished tied for fourth last season with a 56.1 Corsi For percentage – a stat that measures high-percentage chances. Head coach Mike Hastings is getting them in position to succeed, and now they need to finish. They'll return 20-goal scorer Quinn Finley (Islanders), Gavin Morrissey -- who posted 32 points in 37 games as a freshman -- and first-round defenseman Logan Hensler (Senators) to lead a strong recruiting class. Blake Montgomery (Senators) is a 6-foot-4 forward out of the OHL who's willing to drive the net, something the Badgers were lacking last season. Oliver Tulk is a small winger who finished sixth in the WHL with 100 points last year. Bruno Idzan (Senators) joined the USHL late last season but set it on fire with 1.22 points per game – second-best in the league. The Badgers are also reloading their crease Minnesota State transfer Eli Pulver and WHL Goalie of the Year Daniel Hauser enrolling at Wisconsin. Montgomery and Tulk are 20 years old and should catch onto the system quickly, making the Badgers a dark horse in the Big Ten this year.
Bowling Green (FanDuel +15,000)
Bowling Green hasn't made the tournament since the 2018-19 season, but they should push Minnesota State for the CCHA title. Last season, the Falcons ranked 13th in the nation with a 54.1 Corsi For percentage, signaling a well-coached team that generates plenty of chances. They lacked the necessary talent to convert, but things should change this year. They pounced on the new CHL rule by bringing in 10 freshman from the CHL, including forwards Connor Levis (WHL) and Noah Morneau (OHL) and defenseman Brayden Crampton (WHL). The Falcons are poised to get steady goaltending from holdover Cole Moore and newcomer Jacob Steinman, who posted a .922 save percentage for the QMJHL Champions last year. Nearly all the players on this team will be at least 21 years old, including the freshman, which will ease the transition to the NCAA. That level of experience combined with a weaker conference provides the Falcons an excellent chance to get into the tournament, and once you're in, anything can happen.
