NHL 15: Player Ratings, Roster Info and New Modes Preview

The release of EA Sports’ NHL 15 Tuesday, September 9, has video game fans that have come to love the series ready to get their hands on the latest copy of the hockey simulation.

EA Sports has developed a game that shines on the next-generation consoles. With improved graphics and flawless game play, the demo for this game had fans stunned at just how visually appealing it was.

Here are the top player ratings, new modes and more for NHL 15.

Centers	Player	Rating
Left Wings	Player	Rating
Right Wings	Player	Rating
Defensemen	Player	Rating
Goalies	Player	Rating
1	Sidney Crosby - Pittsburgh Penguins	96
2	Steven Stamkos - Tampa Bay Lightning	93
3	Jonathan Toews - Chicago Blackhawks	93
4	Pavel Datsyuk - Detroit Red Wings	93
5	Ryan Getzlaf - Anaheim Ducks	92
1	Alexander Ovechkin - Washington Capitals	93
2	Henrik Zetterberg - Detroit Red Wings	92
3	Zach Parise - Minnesota Wild	90
4	Taylor Hall - Edmonton Oilers	90
5	Jamie Benn - Dallas Stars	90
1	Corey Perry - Anaheim Ducks	92
2	Marian Hossa - Chicago Blackhawks	91
3	Phil Kessel - Toronto Maple Leafs	90
4	Patrick Kane - Chicago Blackhawks	89
5	Martin St. Louis - New York Rangers	88
1	Shea Weber - Nashville Predators	93
2	Duncan Keith - Chicago Blackhawks	92
3	Ryan Suter - Minnesota Wild	92
4	Drew Doughty - Los Angeles Kings	91
5	Zdeno Chara - Boston Bruins	91
1	Henrik Lundqvist - New York Rangers	93
2	Jonathan Quick - L.A. Kings	93
3	Carey Price - Montreal Canadiens	92
4	Tuukka Rask - Boston Bruins	92
5	Pekka Rinne - Nashville Predators	91

What To Watch for in NHL 15

Hockey fans are some of the most loyal in sports, and the same can be said for the gamers who have come to love the EA Sports NHL series.

For the 2014 edition of the game, the developers focused heavily on the next-gen consoles and improving the visual presentation of the action.

One of the biggest changes came to the collision physics and the realism of contact in the game. With each player having their own physics, gamers will be completely immersed in the action. Every player on the ice will feel the impact of what is happening.

Another next-gen only addition to the game is the presentation of the arenas. The development team has recreated 28 of the 30 buildings in the NHL (the PNC Arena and the United Center are excluded) with full detail and unmatched realism. As seen from EA Sports’ official website, the details about each facility make the presentation unparalleled.

The official Twitter of Sports Illustrated’s Extra Mustard talked about the detail of the arenas:

The most intriguing improvements came in the commentating booth. Not only did EA Sports revamp the commentating team with Doc Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, but the company also took a unique approach and blended actual video of the two men calling the game using green screens in front of the virtual reality arenas.

The commentary has been turned on its ear, as EASports.com pointed out:

"

When we say Doc and Eddie are in the game, we mean really in the game. Taking commentary integration to the next level, NHL 15 will feature real-world pre-game video reels with the duo. Set against NHL 15 in-game visuals, the result is a revolutionary step forward in sports videogames, where the lines between the real world of sport broadcast and the game are blurred.

"

The idea of having the actual video of the commentators is intriguing. The more video game developers infuse actual footage of commentators, players and coaches into the game, the more the simulation will feel realistic.

The ultimate goal in any video game is realism, and EA Sports’ focus on the next-gen console was on fully utilizing the visual upgrades and making the game play feel special.

There are some classic modes missing from the game, and there have been limited additions and upgrades to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 editions, but from a strict game play point of view, this could be one of the most visually pleasing editions of the series in its history.

For hardcore gamers and hockey fans with next-gen consoles, NHL 15 will satisfy your lofty visual and game play expectations.

Stats via EASports.com.

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