NHL 16: Player Ratings, Release Date and Revamped 'Be a GM' Mode

When EA Sports released the feature set for NHL 16 on May 20, applause should have rung out from the home of every fan of the series. NHL 15 looked excellent and played a fun game of virtual hockey, but the feature set was bare. 

The franchise mode and other options felt like they belonged to a mobile game, not a full console title from a series that had become one of the most consistent in the EA Sports lineup. What a difference a year makes. 

Release Date: September 15

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Customization

image provided by EA Sports

The ability to customize rosters in franchise modes is an underrated feature. Thankfully, NHL 16 will include this option. Per EA Sports, players will be able to edit general information, appearance, equipment and attributes.

It can be done from the main menu as well as in Be a GM, Season and Playoff modes. You can make a classic roster with legendary teams or an all-time roster. If you're like me, you're thirsty to get your hands on this low-key roster editor.

Personality

Speaking of individuality, each player in NHL 16 has his own personality. The video below talks about this important aspect of Be a GM mode:

Per EA Sports:

"

Every player in our game features a personality type upon entry into the league or when created for the first time (in the case of generated rookies for the Entry Draft). Each personality type includes a number of traits that impact how they react to certain events. Finding the right balance of players with the right traits and personalities can give your players boosts to their ratings and model a harmonious locker room.

"

Player chemistry came into play in NHL Ultimate Team mode in past versions, but implementing it in this way in Be a GM seems like a fresh idea for the series. We've all seen sports video games claim to have player morale and team chemistry, only to find those elements nearly irrelevant with hands-on experience.

Hopefully, that won't be the case in NHL 16.

Drafting and Trading

The fantasy draft option is back at the beginning of your Be a GM journey. If you don't want to use the teams as they are in the current NHL, you can test your draft skills by trying to put together the best team.

Also, the NHL entry draft is back in full form, unlike the debacle that was in NHL 15. Gamers can now control every aspect of the draft as well as trading, signing and releasing free agents.

Knowing the Player Ratings

image provided by EA Sports

With all this talk about players, you've got to know the ratings, right?

On September 2, EA Sports released the top 50 rated players in the game. Gamers who are interested in fantasy drafts to start their Be a GM experiences will want to take note of this list of the top 21:

Player	Team	Rating
Sidney Crosby	Pittsburgh Penguins	96
Jonathan Toews	Chicago Blackhawks	94
Carey Price	Montreal Canadiens	94
Shea Weber	Nashville Predators	94
Alex Ovechkin	Washington Capitals	93
Duncan Keith	Chicago Blackhawks	93
Drew Doughty	Los Angeles Kings	93
Steven Stamkos	Tampa Bay Lightning	93
Henrik Lundqvist	New York Rangers	93
Pavel Datsyuk	Detroit Red Wings	93
Ryan Suter	Minnesota Wild	93
Jonathan Quick	Los Angeles Kings	93
John Tavares	New York Islanders	92
Jamie Benn	Dallas Stars	92
Corey Perry	Anaheim Ducks	92
Patrick Kane	Chicago Blackhawks	92
Evgeni Malkin	Pittsburgh Penguins	92
Anze Kopitar	Los Angeles Kings	92
Tuuka Rask	Boston Bruins	92
Pekka Rinne	Nashville Predators	92
Henrik Zetterberg	Detroit Red Wings	92

The defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks are in a good place in NHL 16. With Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith, the Blackhawks are the only team in the league with two players in the top 10.

When you add Patrick Kane (16th) and Marian Hossa (35th), the Chicago nucleus is solid. Who will you try to control en route to a Stanley Cup? I'm a fantasy draft guy, but I'd be lying if I said my hometown Blackhawks aren't looking good.

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Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter.