NHL 26 Reveals Top-10 Player Ratings for Wingers, Defensemen Before Release Date

The Colorado Avalanche's Cale Makar and Vancouver Canucks' Quinn Hughes were the only two defenseman to earn overall ratings of at least 95 in EA Sports' NHL 26.

EA Sports released a first look at the top-ten rankings for defenseman, led by the two most recent Norris Trophy winners, on Tuesday ahead of the game's September release.

The lists feature a five-point gap between Makar and the New York Rangers' Adam Fox, who ranks second among right-handed defenseman at 90 OVR.

The Columbus Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski, Nashville Predators' Roman Josi, Tampa Bay Lightning's Victor Hedman and Buffalo Sabres' Rasmus Dahlin meanwhile all tied for the second among left-handed rankings with a 92 OVR.

EA Sports has also released top-ten rankings for wingers. The Minnesota Wild's Kirill Kaprizov edged out Matthew Tkachuk as the highest-rated left winger.

The Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov meanwhile led all right wingers with a 96 OVR after leading the NHL in points for a second straight season.

The full list of top winger and defenseman ratings in NHL 26 can be found at EA.com.

EA Sports has yet to release rankings for goaltenders and centers in the game, although reigning Vezina and Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck and Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid are good bets to lead their positions' respective top-ten lists.

NHL 26 is set to be released on Sept. 12 at noon E.T. Fans who order the deluxe edition can earn early access beginning Sept. 5.