After an incredible individual season, one of the best goaltenders in the National Hockey League is also considered one of the best in the virtual world.
On Wednesday, EA Sports released the top 10-rated goaltenders for NHL 26. At the top of the list is Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets.
Hellebuyck enters this year’s game with a 94 rating and is listed tied for ninth among all players, including Boston Bruins sniper David Pastrnak and Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov. It’s a slight bump for Hellebuyck, who was a 93 overall in NHL 25.
There’s little argument as to why Hellebuyck is the highest-rated netminder in the 35th edition of the franchise. The Commerce Township, Mich. native is coming one of the best individual performances from a goaltender in NHL history. He became just the eighth goaltender in NHL history to win the Hart Trophy, and the first since Montreal Canadiens legend Carey Price earned the distinction during the 2014-15. Hall of Famers such as Dominik Hasek (twice), Jacques Plante and Chuck Rayner have also won the award in the past.
Hellebuyck was also awarded the Vezina Trophy for a second straight year, and the third time in his career. It made him only the fifth goaltender to win both the Vezina and Hart trophies in the same season.
The two goaltenders trailing Hellebuyck in the NHL 26 ratings are the same guys who were behind him in the previous game – Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy and New York Rangers backstop Igor Shesterkin. Vasilevskiy sits second with a 93 rating, while Shesterkin is third with a 92.
EA Sports player ratings help determine the quality of each player in the league, which in turn affects their abilities on the ice during gameplay, as well as their performance in modes such as Season, Franchise, and Be a Pro.
NHL 26 will be released on Sept. 12 on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Those who pre-order the Deluxe Edition can gain early access as early as Sept. 5.
