If you are a video game nerd like me, then you too will be very excited about the upcoming release of NHL 20 and the chance to guide the New York Rangers to multiple Stanley Cups.
Yes, we are at that time of year where not only is New York Rangers hockey just around the corner, but hockey fans will get the chance to lead their team to glory on the latest instalment of EA Sports’ popular hockey video game franchise.
NHL 20, which will be released worldwide on Sep, 13, introduces cutting-edge gameplay innovation to showcase your skills, more customization to unlock your style, and new modes to compete with friends.
As is usual at this time of year, players throughout the league are starting to receive their NHL 20 ratings and there have been some hilarious reactions, with Columbus Blue Jackets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois throwing in a hysterical The Office reference, which you can enjoy for yourselves below.
We found out last week that Mika Zibanejad will have a rating of 85 OVR in NHL 20, but some felt it should have been higher. The center enjoyed a coming-of-age year in 2018-19, posting career-highs in goals (30), assists (40), points (74), power play points (23) and shots (236).
You could put forward a strong argument that Zibanejad deserved a rating of 86 or 87 OVR, although it is worth noting that Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews, who is coming off a career-high 81 point (35 goals, 46 assists) season in 2018-19, only has a 89 OVR and he’s been a dominant force for much longer than Zibanejad.
It seems that, just like Madden 20, the stats guys at NHL 20 have tweaked how they dish out ratings so, on reflection, an 85 for Zibanejad is probably fair and he will have chance to improve on that rating given that the game is updated every month.
Now let’s move on to another New York Rangers player in Artemi Panarin who looks likely to have just claimed the honor of being the highest-rated Blueshirt on NHL 20 after the Russian stud was awarded a 89 OVR rating.
The new face of the @NYRangers, @9Artemi enters #NHL20 to a team loaded with talent and carries a 92 rating in speed, acceleration and agility. #NHL20Top50 pic.twitter.com/V0kg1KjUdT
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) August 28, 2019
NHL 20 are running through the Top 50 players in the game and Panarin has made the list, coming No.36 overall above the likes of Mitch Marner, Jonathan Toews, Jack Eichel and Phil Kessel and below Leon Draisaitl, Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele, although those three also have 89 OVR ratings.
It is not surprising in the slightest that Panarin is both in the Top 50 players on the game and will almost certainly be the highest-rated Ranger on NHL 20 given that he tallied 28 goals and 59 assists for 87 points, coupled with the fact that he has amassed 320 points (116 goals, 204 assists) in 322 regular season games since entering the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015-16.
Panarin is regarded as a sniper on the game and he ranks high in the vast majority of attributes, including Deking (94), Passing (93), Puck Control (94), Acceleration (92), Slap Shot Accuracy (91) and Wrist Shot Accuracy (92).
There is no doubt that Panarin should be regarded as one of the best players on NHL 20 given that he is one of the elite forwards in real-life, while only the likes of Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid will get higher ratings than Panarin, which is right given their star power.
I for one can’t wait to get my hands on NHL 20 on Sep, 13 and lead the New York Rangers to Stanley Cup glory in Franchise Mode with Artemi Panarin as my leading man. Bring it on!