Nashville Predators: EA Sports NHL ’18 Predators’ Player Ratings

One of the most exciting times during the offseason is when the newest NHL game is released. How do the Nashville Predators rate in EA Sports NHL ’18?

EA Sports is set to release its latest edition of its NHL franchise video game on September 15^th. For many of us, the NHL video game is a way to help us through the offseason. Every summer I find myself looking forward to the release of the next rendition of the franchise and ready to see how the Nashville Predators stack up. Once the game is released, you know hockey season is within reach, and the long wait is almost over.

This year was a little different, though. I managed to obtain an early beta edition of the game. EA Sports released a limited number of codes to give out to the fans of the series. It allows us to play certain modes of the game for a limited time before the final version of the game is released. So far, the game play has been fantastic, however; I still have a few gripes I hope get fixed before September 15^th.

Player Ratings

Let me preface this by saying that this is the beta version of NHL 18 and everything I am about to discuss could, and hopefully will, change by the time of the official release. The first thing I am sure many of us do anytime a new sports game comes out is to find the ratings of our favorite players/teams. Therefore, once the NHL ’18 Beta finished downloading on my Xbox, that’s exactly what I did. Boy, was I disappointed.

There were several teams that I looked at, not just the Predators. Across the board it appeared that the ratings are not accurate whatsoever. Hopefully, this is just due to the fact that I am playing a beta version. For what it is worth, the rosters appear to be the same as they were before the expansion draft. Therefore, we know there will be an update on that aspect. As it is though, let’s take a look at how the Predators rank on the early release of NHL ’18.

Just Right

Before I get into all the ratings I dislike, I figured I would start with a few players who I think EA Sports got right for Nashville:

Pekka Rinne: 89

Craig Smith: 82

Yannick Weber: 78

Matt Irwin: 77

These are the only four players on Nashville’s roster that I believe were given an accurate rating. Pekka is still an elite goaltender and I think an 89 rating is perfect for him considering the year he had last season. Craig Smith had an odd season last year. I honestly, do not think there is anyone who is better at creating chances than Smith. However, his inability to finish on those chances is what gives him an 82. Lastly, Weber and Irwin were given a fairly low rating, but there is the reason they are a 3^rd line defensive pair. There you have it, the only players of the Predators who are accurately rated.

Too Low 

Now to look at the players who appear to be ranked too low. Every player on this list I think should be ranked 1-3 points higher than they already are. Prepare yourself, these ratings might come as a shock:

P.K. Subban: 88

Filip Forsberg: 85

Mattias Ekholm: 82

Calle Järnkrok: 78

Austin Watson: 77

Pontus Aberg: 71

Freddy Gaudreau: 68

Obviously the two that stick out the most are Subban and Forsberg. In this game an 88 rating is pretty high, but regardless it is still too low for the former Norris Trophy winner. Forsberg ranked as an 85 is almost a slap in the face. Forsberg has scored 30 goals in back to back seasons and deserves to be higher than his rating suggests.

The next three could be debated, but in my opinion they are still too low. Ekholm might not have had the offensive numbers, but there is still no reason he should be as low as an 82. Järnkrok scored over 30 points last season, and combine that with his defensive ability, and there is no reason he should not be at least an 80 overall. Next is Austin Watson. He did not light up the scoreboard last season, but he is still valuable in many other ways and a 77 just seems a little low.

The final two are pretty difficult to rate because of their limited play, but even the most novice of NHL gamers would know they are ranked too low. Aberg stepped up during the 2017 playoffs and displayed what is likely to come of him in the future. Lastly, is Freddy “Hockey” Gaudreau. This rating is more understandable, but that does not make it accurate. Gaudreau scored his first three goals of his career in the Stanley Cup Finals. That does not happen on accident. He might not have the amount of playing time to be ranked in the mid to high 70s, but he is definitely not a 68.

Way Too Low

And here we are. We’ve made it to the players who are ranked way too low in NHL ’18. The players on this list are ranked at least four points too low. It is safe to assume that these ratings are not an accurate representation of their assigned player:

Roman Josi: 87

Ryan Johansen: 86

Ryan Ellis: 83

Viktor Arvidsson: 82

Colton Sissons: 76

Kevin Fiala: 75

After seeing these ratings, you understand how I feel now. Roman Josi listed as an 87 is just laughable. He consistently performs with the best defenders in the league, yet does not receive the recognition. Following behind Josi is Ryan Johansen. He is a dynamic playmaker capable of creating scoring chances every time he touches the ice. An 89 or 90 rating seems much more fitting to me.

Ryan Ellis is a one of a kind player. Is offensive ability is unmatched and he can play defense with the best of them. The fact that he is an 83 should be taken as an insult and will hopefully be fixed. The other rating that should be taken as insult is Viktor Arvidsson. Arvidsson scored 61 points last season and ultimately proved his worth. Someone who scores 30+ goals is not an 82 overall.

Next up is Colton Sissons, and last season a 76 would have been acceptable. But after what he accomplished last year Sissons deserves to be ranked in the low 80s. Finally, the last player is Kevin Fiala. Fiala has not spent a ton of time at the NHL level, as he only played in 54 regular season games last year. It appears now that he is primed to have a breakout year, and while potential should not reflect his rating, a 75 is far too low.