NHL: Top 10 EA Sports NHL 12 Cover Boy Candidates

Oh, not another Chicago Blackhawks player! That is probably what is going through most peoples’ minds when thinking of NHL 12 by EA Sports. 

Not only was Patrick Kane on the cover of NHL 10, but Jonathan Toews was on the cover of NHL 11 and they won the Stanley Cup, went to the Olympics and both won a medal in the end.

It is almost as if people are sick of seeing them everywhere.  Well, as a Blackhawks fan myself I disagree, but I know how sick to my stomach I would feel seeing Roberto Luongo and the Sedin Twins wherever I went.

Let’s take a look and some probable EA NHL 12 cover candidates for this year and poke some fun at the nominee while we’re at it.  

Please note this is all in good fun.

Honorable Mentions

Lou Capozzola/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - FEBRUARY 13: Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings blocks a shot while battling for position with Jeff Carter #17 of the Philadelphia Flyers on February 13, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lou C

Pekka Rinne (Nashville Predators)          W:   21 GAA:  2.10   SV%: .930

 

Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles Kings)           G:   17   A:   38   +/-: +17

 

Jeff Carter (Philadelphia Flyers)                 G:  27    A: 25     +/ =/-: +20

10. Dustin Byfuglien -- Atlanta Thrashers

Claus Andersen/Getty Images

TORONTO, CAN - FEBRUARY 7: Dustin Byfuglien #33 of the Atlanta Thrashers skates in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 7, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Thrashers 5-4. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Gett

G:  18    A:  27    +/-: -1

Well, technically he is no longer on the Blackhawks, just the “Thrashhawks.”  Annoyingly, he now wears some funky baby powder blue jersey in a town where not many people care about hockey…Yet he truly does have a fighting chance to be on the cover of NHL 12.

He is a pest when not on your team and well, a really talented one at that. 

Byfuglien was just given a contract extension from the Thrashers, and he was well…slightly overpaid, but that does not deny the fact he has the talent to be on a video game cover right?

9. Brad Richards – Dallas Stars

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 05: Brad Richards #91 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 5, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Stars 3-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

G:  24   A: 39   +/-:  +4

The guy is good.  He has brought the Stars on a long road to success.  The team is tied for 10^th place in the Western Conference, but have you seen the Western Conference?

It is quite bizarre I must say.  Four teams have 68 points, three teams have 70!

Regardless, Richards has accomplished a lot this season to get his team this far in the standings.

After the season is said and done, Richards is definitely worthy of being on the EA Sports NHL 12 cover, regardless if his team makes the playoffs or not.

8. Patrick Sharp – Chicago Blackhawks

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 12: Patrick Sharp #10 of the Chicago Blackhawks stands attended for the National Anthem before the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on February 12, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Black

G:   31   A:  23    +/-: -8

Shocked?  NO WAY could another Blackhawks player be on the cover of EA Sports!   If it was not for his teammates Toews and Kane posing for EA Sports the two years prior, I would say Sharp had a better shot.

I doubt Sharp will be on the cover of NHL 12, but with the great season he is having – you can never say never.  

And how does that saying go? Oh yes….Third time's the charm.

7. Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh Penguins

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins walks off the ice after being defeated 3-1 by the Washington Capitals during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

G:  32   A:   34   +/-: +20

Even with Crosby being out for a good chunk of the season, he is still in the top five of most categories.  Irritating isn’t it? 

Most people love him or hate him. Talent is clear for Crosby, but regrettably, so is constant whining.

Sid the Kid still has it, but unfortunately a hit to the head caused his season to be shortly lived.  If he does happen to come back within two weeks as previously stated, he could work his way up this list, as well as many other lists too.

6. Corey Perry – Anaheim Ducks

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 29: Corey Perry #10 and Jonas Hiller #1 of the Anaheim Ducks smile during the Honda NHL SuperSkills competition part of 2011 NHL All-Star Weekend at the RBC Center on January 29, 2011 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C.

G:   30   A:   36   +/-:  +1

I know everyone hates this kid, unless you’re a Ducks fan.  Well, he’s good. 

You have to give him that much credit.  He was a part of this year’s All-Star game, and even won the sudden death shoot out for his team.

Granted, I know people are rolling their eyes, but I can’t take away his talent, that is for sure. 

And trust me, you’ll roll your eyes even more for the next candidate(s)…unless of course you’re a Canucks fan.

5. Daniel & Henrik Sedin -- Vancouver Canucks

Richard Rees/Getty Images

VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 18: Henrik Sedin #33 (left) and Daniel Sedin #22 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrate Henrik's goal as Jose Theodore #60 of the Colorado Avalanche sits alongside in the crease during their game at General Motors Place on Febru

Daniel:   G:  32 A:   45 +/-:  +24

Henrik:  G:  14 A:  58 +/-: +22

Oh I know, they are always together no matter what.  They were even on the cover last year but not for USA/Canada’s version, just Sweden’s.

Alexander Ovechkin has been on both (USA/Russia), so why can’t the eerie twins?

The Sedin’s were finally separated during the 2011 NHL All-Star Game, but it seems they really don’t need each other to be good.

They need each other to be phenomenal.  Either way, most people would take them on their team.

Both of them are having great seasons and are predicted to be Stanley Cup Champions by June.

Canucks fans beware; the Blackhawks have a slight chance to make your life miserable AGAIN. 

4. Nicklas Lidstrom -- Detroit Redwings

Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 02: Nicklas Lidstrom #5 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates a teammates goal against the Ottawa Senators in a game at Scotiabank Place on February 2, 2011 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

G:  12 A:  35 +/-: +3

This guy never stops, does he?  Lidstrom is just like the energizer bunny.

He was voted as one of the All-Star Captains for the first ever player draft during All-Star weekend.

Even at his age, he is still putting up large numbers and is even a huge threat for the Norris Trophy Award.  Most people assumed he was past his prime, and it would be more of let’s say, Drew Doughty’s turn. 

Well, you know the saying of when you ASSUME….OK, you get the point.

Lidstrom has been on top of his game this season, and I really would not doubt him being a big part of the Redwings being in second place of the Western Conference.

3. Ryan Kesler -- Vancouver Canucks

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 02: Jannik Hansen #36 and Ryan Kesler #17 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrate after Hansen scored a second period goal against the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on February 2, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (

G:   33   A: 23 +/-: +25

Another Canuck?  What kind of Blackhawks fan am I? Well, a realistic one actually.

Kesler has been quite amazing this season.  Of course he is typically on the same line as Twin 1 and Twin 2 (Sedin’s) for the Power Play, but I can’t blame the guy for his line pairing.

You cannot deny the fact that the Canucks are charging through the Western Conference as well.

With his numbers soaring, it would not be a surprise to see Kesler on the cover this fall.

Forget NHL2K11 Kesler, you’re going to be on a big boy’s video game cover now.

2. Steven Stamkos -- Tampa Bay Lightning

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 30: Team Lidstrom players Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates with Martin St. Louis #26 of the Tampa Bay Lightning after Stamkos scored a second period goal against Team Staal in the 58th NHL All-Star Game at RB

G:   40   A: 35 +/-: +13

Well, of course Stamkos is considered for the EA NHL 12 cover.  He tied Crosby last season for most goals, and he is catching up to Wayne Gretzky in possibly getting 50 goals in 50 games.

So really, who else could possibly be on the cover besides Stamkos?

The kid has been amazing since joining the NHL, and he and Steve Yzerman have brought a glimpse of hockey into Tampa Bay’s eyes. 

So did Dan Ellis, but that’s another story…and a cover of a magazine…NOT something this important!

1. Tim Thomas -- Boston Bruins

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

CALGARY,CANADA - FEBRUARY 22: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins makes a save against the Calgary Flames their NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome, February 22,2011 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

W:   26 GAA:  2.02 SV%: .938

A goalie has not been on the cover since, well who knows?

I remember John Vanbiesbrouck on NHL 97, but how many people can even remember that far back.

Goalies do not get much love from EA Sports. 

Most people figured Ryan Miller was going to be on last year’s cover, only to see Toews take the title.

Considering Thomas’ comeback, not even supposed to be the number one goaltender for the Bruins after Tuukka Rask dominated last season, Thomas has proven he is worthy of taking his position back.

I think it is time to show some goalie love on the cover on EA Sports.

And some Bruins love….?