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The latest installment of the hockey simulation game NHL is almost here. We have now arrived at the early access NHL 25 release date, and players are excited about the new features and gameplay.
One of the most exciting features for NHL 25 players and real-life hockey fans will be the player ratings. EA decides the ratings by carefully considering player performances from the previous hockey season, with the best players receiving the highest ratings.
Knowing which players have the highest ratings will improve your NHL 25 gameplay experience. EA has released all the player ratings, and we’re bringing you only our top picks of who to bring out on the ice.
Key Takeaways
- The 10 best NHL 25 players include Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid.
- There are many different types of NHL 25 players, including playmakers, Snipers, Offensive D-men, and Hybrids.
- Different positions for players include Left Wing and Right Wing.
- Our list of the best NHL 25 rankings is sourced directly from EA and from player analysis.
- NHL 25 is out in early access on September 27, 2024, and comes out officially on October 4, 2024.
The 10 Best NHL 25 Players Overall
In the sport of hockey, there are several different positions. That is also the case in the game. Naturally, each position has its list of top players who are considered the best in that specific position. However, there are a few players that transcend positions. These are the overall highest-rated players and the best NHL 25 players to choose from.
10. Connor Hellebuyck
- Overall Rating: 93
- Best Stats: Shot Recovery, Rebound Control, and Stickside Low
- Playstyle: Hybrid
Connor Hellebuyck is easily the best goalkeeper in NHL 25. Naturally, that makes him one of the best players in the game- With his 95-rated rebound control, 94-rated shot recovery, and 93-rated stickside low, your defence can rest easy having Connor in goal.
His 92-rated vision, 88-rated passing, and 90-rated poise allow him to turn defence into attack with accurately pinged passes from the back after retaining the puck from a saved shot.
9. Quinn Hughes
- Overall Rating: 94
- Best Stats: Offensive Awareness, Agility, Puck Control, Handeye, and Passing
- Playstyle: Offensive D-Man
It should come as no surprise that one of the NHL 25 cover stars is also one of the best players in the game. Quinn Hughes is a left defenseman who plays for the Vancouver Canucks. Despite being a defensive player, some of his most impressive stats are in attacking attributes like his 96 deking, 96 passing, and 96 offensive awareness.
Those attributes and his 94-rated acceleration, 93-rated speed, and 97-rated agility allow him to offer support during offensive plays and rush back into defence in case of a counterattack from the opposite team. He is a well-rounded player who will serve your team well in offence and defence.
8. Sidney Crosby
- Overall Rating: 94
- Best Stats: Passing, Puck Control, Offensive Awareness, and Stick Checking
- Playstyle: Playmaker
Crosby is a Canadian centre who plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins. His best stats are expectedly his offensive attributes as he has the playmaker playstyle. His defensive stats are also impressive. Crosby has great stats like 94 stick-checking and 92 defensive awareness.
His 94-rated passing, 94-rated puck control, 94-rated offensive awareness and some other stats in the 90s and high 80s make Sidney Crosby a great team player who can improve any NHL 25 team.
7. Artemi Panarin
- Overall Rating: 95
- Best Stats: Deking, Handeye, Passing, Puck Control, and Offensive Awareness
- Playstyle: Playmaker
Panarin is a 32-year-old Russian international who plays for the New York Rangers. Artemi Panarin is easily one of the most creative NHL 25 players. His puck-handling stats are all over 95 rated. He has a 97 rated offensive awareness, 95 rated agility, 95 rated wristshot accuracy, 95 rated poise, and 95 rated slap shot accuracy.
With stats like that, Panarin can dictate the flow of any match, pulling strings of play and setting up offensive manoeuvres that almost always lead to goals. Artemi Panarin is easily one of the best-attacking players in NHL 25.
6. David Pastrnak
- Overall Rating: 95
- Best Stats: Offensive Awareness, Slapshot Accuracy, and Wristshot Accuracy
- Playstyle: Sniper
If you need goals, look no further than Boston Bruins right wingman David Pastrnak. The Czech international has some of the most impressive offensive stats in NHL 25. His puck-handling stats are- 95-rated deking, 95-rated handeye, 95-rated passing, and 95-rated puck control. He is incredible while in possession of the puck.
With his 96-rated offensive awareness, 96-rated slapshot accuracy, 97-rated wristshot accuracy, and 94-rated wristshot power, he is a constant goal-scoring threat whenever he’s on the ice. He also has decently well-rounded stats across the board, making him one of the most impressive NHL 25 players in the game.
5. Auston Mathews
- Overall Rating: 95
- Best Stats: Offensive Awareness, Slapshot Accuracy, and Wristshot Accuracy
- Playstyle: Sniper
Auston Mathews plays as a centre for the Toronto Maple Leafs. His primary strength is his ability to find the back of the net. With his 96-rated handeye, 97-rated offensive awareness, 95 slapshot accuracy, 97 wristshot accuracy, and 95 wristshot power, Mathews guarantees goals whenever he has the puck in a good position.
He has decent stats across the board, but his most impressive stats are his shooting and attacking stats. Paired with a great playmaker, Mathews would shine as the ultimate goal-scoring threat against any team.
4. Cale Maker
- Overall Rating: 95
- Beat Stats: Deking, Passing, Puck Control, Agility, and Offensive Awareness
- Playstyle: Offensive D-Man
It should come as no surprise that the NHL 24 cover star is among the highest-rated players in NHL 25. The Colorado Avalanche right defenseman has properly balanced offensive and defensive stats that match his offensive d-man playstyle. Cale Maker’s 96 deking, 90 handeye, 96 passing, and 96 puck control make him very good when in possession.
His 93 defensive awareness, 88 shot blocking, and 94 stick checking make him a top defensive option. He also offers extra offensive options with his impressive 96 offensive awareness rating. Whether you’re going forward to attack or rushing back to defend counters, Maker’s 95 acceleration, 97 agility, and 95 speed make any team better. He is a well-rounded player who offers options in both offensive and defensive plays.
3. Nikita Kucherov
- Overall Rating: 95
- Best Stats: Deking, Passing, and Offensive Awareness
- Playstyle: Playmaker
Nikita Kucherov is a Russian right wingman for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has the playmaker playstyle that fits his most impressive stats. Kucherov’s 97-rated deking, 95-rated handeye, 97-rated passing, and 96-rated puck control give him some of the highest-rated puck handling in the game.
He also has some of the best offensive stats with 97-rated offensive awareness, 94-rated slapshot accuracy, 92-rated slapshot power, 94-rated wristshot accuracy, and 91-rated wristshot power. With Nikita Kucherov on the ice, you will score many goals. His physical stats are a bit low, but he makes up for it with his impressive skating stats in the 90s and high 80s.
2. Nathan MacKinnon
- Overall Rating: 96
- Best Stats: Offensive Awareness and Poise
- Playstyle: Playmaker
Nathan MacKinnon is a Canadian centre who plays for the Colorado Avalanche. As a centre, Nathan dictates the pace and tempo of the match. With his impressive playmaking stats, he fulfils that requirement perfectly.
His 95-rated passing, 95-rated puck control, and 96-rated offensive awareness make him the ideal playmaker for any team. With his 96-rated speed, 95-rated acceleration, and 94-rated agility, taking control of MacKinnon will give you some of the most seamless NHL 25 gameplay animations and mechanics.
1. Connor McDavid
- Overall Rating: 97
- Best Stats: Deking, Passing, and Offensive Awareness
- Playstyle: Playmaker
Connor McDavid is undoubtedly the best NHL 25 player in the game. The Canadian plays as a centre for the Edmonton Oilers. Almost every attribute on Connor McDavid’s card is in the mid to high 90s. In terms of defence, offence, playmaking, and goal scoring, McDavid has it covered.
He is easily the best centre and playmaker in the game. His shooting and defensive attributes even rival the offensive and defensive players. Simply put, Connor McDavid is the best player in NHL 25.
Best NHL 25 Right Wing Players
While there is a general list of players across all positions who are considered the best, some players fulfil specific roles. The right-wingers provide the width and attacking threat on the ice.
Best NHL 25 Left Wing Players
NHL 2025 Cover Athlete
Three athletes share the NHL 25 cover. Brothers Quinn, Jack, and Luke Hughes feature on the box art. This is notable because it’s the first time in the series that three brothers have been featured in such a capacity, standing out from previous entries.
The Bottom Line
The best NHL 25 players span different positions and play styles out on the ice. If you’re looking for the top player overall, then you’ll want to turn your attention to Connor McDavid. However, we’ve also included nine other players and our picks from the left and right wing to consider using, too.
