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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Josh Broadwell

EA Sports announces the top 50 EA NHL 24 player ratings

EA Sports announced the top 50 NHL 24 player ratings, with some big shake-ups compared to the previous sports game’s ratings. Leading the pack this year is Connor McDavid, which likely comes as no surprise if you’ve followed NHL in the past 12 months or more. Cover star Cale Makar is right behind him, followed by a change in the roster, with several prominent players getting a well-deserved ratings boost.

We’ve listed the top 50 NHL 24 player ratings, starting with the top 10 and some context around their recent career performances.

Connor McDavid - 97

May 12, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) awaits a face off against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of game five of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Two-time winner of the Best NHL Player ESPY Award and Edmonton Oilers Center Connor McDavid is NHL 24‘s highest-rated player with an impressive 97 overall rating. It’s hardly surprising when you look at McDavid’s record, which is littered with more awards, all-star team nominations, and official recognitions stretching back over his long career.

Cale Makar - 95

Apr 30, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) during the third period against the Seattle Kraken in game seven of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Makar, widely considered one of the league’s best defenseman, sits on the NHL 24 cover and comes in just behind McDavid with a 95 overall rating. Makar isn’t lacking in the awards department, either. He won the Calder Rookie of the Year trophy in 2017, the Norris Trophy for Top Defenseman, and the Conn Smythe trophy during the 2021-2022 season in recognition of his achievement as playoff MVP during the Stanley Cup run

Leon Draisaitl - 95

May 6, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) fields questions in a press conference after the Oilers defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in game two of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Draisaitl, another Oiler, ties with Makar with a 95 overall rating. Draisaitl makes regular appearances on All-Star teams, and the current thinking is that he and McDavid will help lead the Oilers to their first championship since 1990.

Nathan MacKinnon - 95

Apr 30, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) shoots the puck in the second period against the Seattle Kraken in game seven of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Also sliding in with a 95 is Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche Center and another key piece in the team’s 2022 Stanley Cup win. MacKinnon is also a regular name on All-Star lists, and he even occasionally turns up in Canadian television shows and commercials.

David Pastrnak - 95

Apr 21, 2023; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) looks on during the second period against the Florida Panthers in game three of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Rounding out the quadruplet of 95s is Boston Bruins Right Wing David Pastrnak. It’s a big boost from his 91 OVR rating in NHL 23 and reflects his exceptional performance in the previous season – and the hopes the Bruins are pinning on him.

Matthew Tkachuk - 94

Sep 25, 2023; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) looks on against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers’ Left Wing Matthew Tkachuk found himself on a hot streak in the last few years. After four good-but-unexceptional years with the Calgary Flames, Tkachuk started showing up on all-star teams and even earned the coveted All-Star MVP recognition in February 2023.

Roman Josi - 94

Mar 14, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) waits for a face off during the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators is leading the charge as a new kind of defenseman, one who plays with a more offense-oriented bent. Josi received a slight bump in his rating as well, up to 94 from NHL 23‘s 93.

Nikita Kucherov - 94

Apr 29, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) controls the puck from Toronto Maple Leafs center Noel Acciari (52) in the first period during game six of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Lightning Right Wing Nikita Kucherov’s 12-year-long career started picking up in 2017, when Kucherov started appearing in All-Star Games and earned several trophies in the following years. His NHL 23 rating of 92 got a small upgrade in 24 to 94.

Sidney Crosby - 93

Apr 11, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) prepares to take a face-off against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. Chicago won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Sidney Crosby, multiple trophy-winning Pittsburgh Penguins Center, remains at a 93 overall rating. It’s probably not surprising, given the issues swirling around the team since the 2022 season.

Auston Matthews - 93

Sep 25, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) carries the puck against the Ottawa Senators during overtime at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

EA dinged Matthews’ rating by one point, likely the result of his and the Maple Leafs’ quick elimination from the previous years’ playoffs.

EA NHL 24 player ratings: 11-20

Apr 30, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) and center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and left wing J.T. Compher (37) huddle in the third period against the Seattle Kraken in game seven of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
  • Mikko Rantanen (Colorado Avalanche Right Wing) – 93
  • Artemi Panarin (New York Rangers Left Wing) – 93
  • Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning Goalie) – 93
  • Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning Left Defense) – 93
  • Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks Center) – 92
  • Ilya Sorokin (New York Islanders Goalie) – 92
  • Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars Left Wing) – 92
  • Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild Left Wing) – 92
  • Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins Right Defense) – 92

EA NHL 24 player ratings: 21-30

Jun 13, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) defends against Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov (16) during the third period in game five of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
  • Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers Center) – 92
  • Mitchell Marner (Toronto Maple Leads Right Wing) – 92
  • Adam Fox (New York Rangers Right Defense) – 92
  • Brayden Point (Tampa Bay Lightning Center) – 91
  • Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils Center) – 91
  • Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres Left Defense) – 91
  • Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres Center) – 91
  • Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals Left Wing) – 91
  • Erik Karlsson (Pittsburgh Penguins Right Defense) – 91
  • Brad Marchand (Boston Bruins Left Wing) – 91

EA NHL 24 player ratings: 31-40

Jun 13, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel (9) hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the Florida Panthers in game five of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
  • Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights Center) – 91
  • Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets Goalie) – 91
  • Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks Left Defense) – 90
  • Miro Heiskanen (Dallas Stars Defense) – 90
  • Sebastian Aho (Carolina Hurricanes Center) – 90
  • Dougie Hamilton (New Jersey Devils Right Defense) – 90
  • Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins Center) – 90
  • Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning Center) – 90
  • Mark Stone (Vegas Golden Knights Right Wing) – 90

EA NHL 24 player ratings: 41-50

Jun 17, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) celebrates during the 2023 Stanley Cup championship parade and rally at Toshiba Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
  • John Carlson (Washington Capitals Right Defense) – 90
  • Linus Ullmark (Boston Bruins Goalie) – 90
  • Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars Goalie) – 90
  • Tim Stutzle (Ottawa Senators Center) – 89
  • Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators Goalie) – 89
  • Clayton Keller (Arizona Coyotes Left Wing) – 89
  • Andrei Svechnikov (Carolina Hurricanes Right Wing) – 89
  • Johnny Gaudreau (Columbus Blue Jackets Left Wing) – 89
  • Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators Left Wing) – 89
  • William Nylander (Toronto Maple Leafs Right Wing) – 89

Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF

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