Being a defenseman in the current NHL means being able to
drive the offense as much as it means to stop the opposing team. Gone are the
days where being a...
NHL 23 Player Ratings for Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Top 50 Players
Sep 22, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NV - September 16: Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers poses for a portrait during the NHL Player Media Tour on September 16, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
With a little less than a month remaining before the 2022-23 season, we're finally starting to get a look at how NHL 23 will shape up.
EA Sports released the rankings of the top 50 players in this year's game, highlighted by Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid:
1. Connor McDavid (C, Edmonton Oilers): 95
2. Auston Matthews (C, Toronto Maple Leafs): 94
3. Nathan MacKinnon (C, Colorado Avalanche): 94
4. Cale Makar (RD, Colorado Avalanche): 94
5. Andrei Vasilevskiy (G, Tampa Bay Lightning): 94
6. Leon Draisaitl (C, Edmonton Oilers): 93
7. Roman Josi (LD, Nashville Predators): 93
8. Sidney Crosby (C, Pittsburgh Penguins): 93
9. Patrick Kane (RW, Chicago Blackhawks): 93
10. Victor Hedman (LD, Tampa Bay Lightning): 93
11. Igor Shesterkin (G, New York Rangers): 92
12. Aleksander Barkov (C, Florida Panthers): 92
13. Jonathan Huberdeau (LW, Calgary Flame): 92
14. Artemi Panarin (LW, New York Rangers): 92
15. Nikita Kucherov (RW, Tampa Bay Lightning): 92
16. Alex Ovechkin (LW, Washington Capitals): 92
17. Kirill Kaprizov (LW, Minnesota Wild): 91
18. David Pastrňák (RW, Boston Bruins): 91
19. Brad Marchand (LW, Boston Bruins): 91
20. Mikko Rantanen (RW, Colorado Avalanche): 91
21. Adam Fox (RD, New York Rangers): 90
22. Matthew Tkachuk (LW, Florida Panthers): 90
23. Johnny Gaudreau (LW, Columbus Blue Jackets): 90
24. Mitchell Marner (RW, Toronto Maple Leafs): 90
25. Steven Stamkos (C, Tampa Bay Lightning): 90
26. Jacob Markström (G, Calgary Flames): 90
27. Connor Hellebuyck (G, Winnipeg Jets): 90
28. John Gibson (G, Anaheim Ducks): 90
29. Kyle Connor (LW, Winnipeg Jets): 90
30. John Carlson (RD, Washington Capitals): 90
31. Evgeni Malkin (C, Pittsburgh Penguins): 90
32. Patrice Bergeron (C, Boston Bruins): 89
33. Charlie McAvoy (RD, Boston Bruins): 89
34. Sebastian Aho (C, Carolina Hurricanes): 89
35. Elias Lindholm (C, Calgary Flames): 89
36. Gabriel Landeskog (LW, Colorado Avalanche): 89
37. Dylan Larkin (C, Detroit Red Wings): 89
38. Filip Forsberg (LW, Nashville Predators): 89
39. Anže Kopitar (C, Los Angeles Kings): 89
40. Mark Stone (RW, Vegas Golden Knights): 89
41. Brayden Point (C, Tampa Bay Lightning): 89
42. Alex Pietrangelo (RD, Vegas Golden Knights): 89
43. Alex DeBrincat (RW, Ottawa Senators): 89
44. Jack Eichel (C, Vegas Golden Knights): 89
45. Juuse Saros (G, Nashville Predators): 89
46. Aaron Ekblad (RD, Florida Panthers): 89
47. Drew Doughty (RD, Los Angeles Kings): 89
48. Mark Scheifele (C, Winnipeg Jets): 89
49. Frederik Andersen (G, Carolina Hurricanes): 89
50. Thatcher Demko (G, Vancouver Canucks): 89
NHL 23 will include several new features, most of which are designed to improve gameplay. This year's game will include the Zegras goal-scoring style, last-chance puck movement and several other new animations designed to provide the most realistic hockey sim yet.
EA Sports' NHL series had been among the most well-received in the sports gamesphere but will be looking to bounce back from NHL 22, which received tepid reviews on next-gen platforms.
Given the hyperfocus on improving gameplay, the overwhelming odds are the developers have a comeback year in store.
NHL Told Russian Players Aren't Welcome in Czech Republic for Predators vs. Sharks
Sep 22, 2022
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 01: Evgeny Svechnikov #71 of the Winnipeg Jets discusses strategy with a teammate during a first period stoppage of play against the Seattle Kraken at Canada Life Centre on May 01, 2022 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Czech Republic has informed the NHL that Russian players will not be granted entry into the country for scheduled games between the Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks at Prague's O2 Arena.
Deputy Foreign Minister Martin Smolek released a statement Thursday saying the country made the decision based on Russia's continued invasion of Ukraine.
"We can confirm that the Czech Foreign Ministry has sent a letter to the NHL to point out that, at this moment, the Czech Republic or any other state in the (visa free) Schengen zone should not issue visas to the Russian players to enter our territory," Smolek said.
The Predators and Sharks are slated for games Oct. 7 and 8 in Prague. It's unclear if the NHL will move forward with the games, and Smolek would not disclose any reaction from the league.
Nashville forward Yakov Trenin and San Jose forward Evgeny Svechnikov would be barred from the games if they are held as scheduled.
Finland, which is also slated to host NHL games this season, is also in the process of banning all Russian citizens from entering the country. It is yet to be made clear whether that will apply to NHL players.
The Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blue Jackets are set for two games in Tampere, Finland, on Nov. 4-5.
Foreign governments and sports associations have been increasingly hostile toward Russian immigrants as the country continues to wage war in Ukraine. Russian players were barred from playing in Wimbledon this summer, and several international sports organizations have banned Russians from competition.
There have been more than 14,000 confirmed civilian casualties since February, but the number is believed to be higher.
There's nothing like seeing your favorite NHL team play a game that's not in their home building. If you're going to go to a new city, why not catch an NHL...
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How NHL Defensemen Have Evolved Since the Start of Zdeno Chára’s Career
Sep 21, 2022
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 15: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins talks with David Pastrnak #88 and Charlie McAvoy
during the second period at TD Garden on February 15, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
If Zdeno Chára, Keith Yandle and P.K. Subban all retiring Tuesday morning sent you into an existential crisis, you’re not alone. The three defensemen, each leaving behind a unique legacy, logged 53 seasons and 3,977 total NHL games combined.
That's a lot of memories and a lot of sonks.
Part of Chára’s lore was his longevity. He took care of himself so well that he managed to stay in the league and make an impact for 24 seasons despite the wear-and-tear inevitable with his style of play. When you stick around the NHL for nearly 1.5 decades, though, you’re bound to play through some changes.
And when someone like Chára retires, we all tend to reflect on those changes.
For one, scoring is on the rise all around—the league average goals per game has been steadily increasing over the past five years, and the 3.14 average last season was the highest in 26 years. The 2021-22 expected goal rate per 60 was the highest its been since the metric was born in 2007.
While plenty of this is because of your elite forwards like Auston Matthews hitting the 60-goal mark, more and more defensemen are getting comfortable jumping the rush.
The shutdown style Chára mastered during his prime hasn’t totally disappeared, but hockey has undeniably gone through a transitional period, and the rigid, heavier style of the dead puck era has given way to a more positionless, skill-based game in which all skaters are expected to contribute offensively.
Eight NHL defensemen registered at least 60 points last season. That number was two per season in 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11. Further, more of these points are turning into goals, and much of it is coming from younger players (two of the last three Calder winners are defensemen, and the last two Norris winners are under 25)—indicating even more of this on the horizon.
The new-age star defenseman must thrive in transition, quarterback a mean power play and jump the rush when necessary. Active veterans like Victor Hedman and Roman Josi have had instrumental roles in the evolution of the modern defensive star, but let’s look even further into the future.
As we prepare for our first hockey season without Chára in 25 years, which defensemen under 25 should we keep an eye on as the defensive game continues to evolve?
The obvious
Cale Makar: If Makar wasn’t the first player to pop in your head, you’re overthinking it. He’s already got a Calder Trophy, a Norris Trophy, a Conn Smythe Trophy and a Stanley Cup at age 23, likely years before his prime. He ended the 2021-22 regular season with 28 goals and 86 points in 77 games, and finished the playoffs with a team-leading 29 points, the fourth-most for a defenseman in a single postseason in league history.
His weapons? Patience and speed. It’s funny, you never see him busting out any flashy moves, but he has this ability to make the mundane fundamentals feel like must-watch, highlight reel hockey. There’s a lesson in that.
Adam Fox: Speaking of patience, the 2021 Norris winner is cut from a similar cloth as Makar. To me, Fox is a bit more of a classic defenseman whereas Makar is more positionless. Fox is a masterclass in zone entries, and I promise that’s a skill you’ll want to learn if you’re looking to excel in the modern NHL.
Although he and Makar will be compared until the end of the time, both deserve appreciation for their subtle differences that kids coming up now will surely emulate.
The people’s choice
Miro Heiskanen: The 23-year-old Finn is primed for a breakout season now that John Klingberg has cleared a path on the power play depth chart, not that Heiskanen hasn’t already turned heads. It’s hard to believe he already has four NHL seasons under his belt. He did have that incredible production in the 2020 playoffs with six goals and 26 points in 27 games, but I tend to like him because he’s not always racking up some insane point tally yet his game still feels modern. He’s the people’s defenseman of the future.
The dark horse
Scott Perunovich: I don’t know, folks, don’t come for me. I just have a good feeling about the 24-year-old Blues defenseman after his brief rookie season. With Marco Scandella needing hip surgery, I can see Perunovich sliding in there and making a name for himself among the rest of these ridiculously talented young defensemen if he can stay healthy.
My sneaky favorite
Mortiz Seider: “Sneaky” might be a stretch considering Seider won the 2022 Calder Trophy, but I’m not sure many of us outside of Detroit have truly grasped how good and fun this kid is going to be.
His stats are good—he led a stacked rookie class in assists (43) and power play points (21), and he led rookie defensemen in points (50) and game-winning goals (four) in 82 games. But I’d rather talk about all that combined with the fact that the 6-foot-4 21-year-old also led the struggling Red Wings in average time on ice (23:02) and blocked shots (161), while bringing the physicality every night.
Listen, I am totally here for the short king, skill-based NHL defenseman era. But did we ever consider maybe we can have it all?
Others to watch: Charlie McAvoy (when he returns in December), Quinn Hughes, Rasmus Dahlin (breakout year?)
Nathan MacKinnon, NHL's Largest Contracts After Avalanche Star's Record Deal
Sep 20, 2022
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 26: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche carries the Stanley Cup following the series winning victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Six of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on June 26, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Nathan MacKinnon had himself an excellent 2021-22 season and a postseason for the ages. No surprises, then, that he's getting paid in a major way.
The superstar forward has signed an eight-year extension with the Colorado Avalanche that reportedly has an average annual value of $12.6 million, tops in the NHL.
By AAV, MacKinnon, 27, is now just edging out Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, arguably the league's best player who has led the league in scoring in four of the past six seasons.
MacKinnon: $12.6 million AAV
McDavid: $12.5 million AAV
Artemi Panarin, LW, New York Rangers: $11.6 million AAV
Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs: $11.6 million AAV
Erik Karlsson, D, San Jose Sharks: $11.5 million AAV
In terms of total value among current contracts, Las Vegas Knights defenseman Shea Weber still tops the charts on his 14-year, $110 million deal, which runs through the 2025-26 season, though he didn't play last season and may be unofficially retired at this point.
In NHL history, Alex Ovechkin's previous 13-year, $124 million deal with the Washington Capitals is the most total money on a contract in league history.
Nathan MacKinnon's $100.8M extension is the 4th most valuable contract in NHL history
MacKinnon's massive AAV will move the needle for superstar contracts to follow, however. He was fantastic in the 2021-22 season, scoring 32 goals and adding 56 assists in 65 games.
But he was downright special in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, posting a league-leading 13 goals to go along with 11 points as the Avs won the title. So a massive deal was always going to follow, and there is an argument to be made that it's even a team-friendly deal, given the duration.
Nathan MacKinnon, the new highest paid player in the league, is still underpaid. pic.twitter.com/YvdXkycqDG
I think it can still accurately be said that Nathan MacKinnon, while getting wish of being NHL's highest-paid player, also gave something of a team discount to Avs. I think his agent wanted more, but in the end the player is the boss
Asked MacKinnon if he was ready to cede "most underpaid player in the NHL" title to Makar.
“He has it now. I chirp him about who makes more than him. I’m not gonna say any names, but like, damn. ‘What’d you sign that for?’ We won though, so it’s all good. I’m sure he’ll be fine”
However the deal is viewed, MacKinnon got paid, and handsomely. It's a strong deal for both the team and player as they look to repeat as champions in the 2022-23 campaign.
