NHL 13: Zdeno Chara and the Best Defensemen to Dominate GM Mode with

NHL 13 from EA Sports is now available in stores, and there are several star players that people will really enjoy using in GM mode this year.

Many of them are defensemen, such as Boston Bruins star Zdeno Chara. When you begin GM mode, whether you enter with the real-life rosters or do a fantasy draft, you need a strong No. 1 defenseman to win games.

Let's look at the best defensemen to dominate franchise mode with.

Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators

Due to his Norris Trophy-winning 2011-12 season, Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson is one of the best offensive defensemen to use in NHL 13.

He has phenomenal speed and agility ratings, which helps him skate from one end of the ice to the other faster than most forwards. His slap shot and wrist shot power/accuracy ratings are all high as well, making him a great weapon on the blue line.

With an 86 overall rating, Karlsson is one of the most fun players to use in NHL 13 because of his high offensive ratings.

Notable Ratings

Slap-Shot Power/Accuracy	88/85
Speed	90
Offensive Awareness	92
Passing	92
Puck Control	92

Dion Phaneuf, Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs fans will be excited to learn that Dion Phaneuf has an 89 overall rating in this year's game, and he is effective at both ends of the ice.

Phaneuf delivers a physical presence in the game with his high strength and body-checking ratings and is a real force in the attacking zone with his impressive slap-shot ratings.

His discipline rating is 65, but overall, very few of Phaneuf's skill ratings are below 80. He is one of the most powerful defensemen in this year's game.

Notable Ratings

Slap-Shot Power	93
Speed	86
Body Checking	90
Strength	90
Passing	87

Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

Every sports video game has a few players who are too good, and sometimes a bit overpowered. Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins has been one of these players in NHL games for years, and this year's installment is no different.

Chara's power ratings for both slap and wrist shots are incredibly high, and his strength/body check ratings are impressive too.

There is no defenseman in NHL 13 who is more powerful at both ends of the ice than Chara. He's someone you can dominate GM mode with.

Notable Ratings

Shot Power	95
Body Checking	95
Strength	95
Fighting Skill	90
Shot Blocking	90

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