The release of NHL 18 is right around the corner, but fans got their first taste of the game in the closed beta.
Aside from the soundtrack, fans also are anxiously awaiting the player ratings to be released as the ones in the closed beta won't be the ones used once the game comes out, and as always, EA Sports figures to released their top ten position ratings at some point in the summer.
Until then, though, we're going to look into our crystal ball and attempt to predict who the three highest rated players at each position will be. Enjoy and let us know what you think by tweeting us @BarDown.
Center
1. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
3. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
There's no debating this one. Crosby is the best player in the world and deserves to be the highest rated player in NHL 18.
After an incredible second season, Connor McDavid won a few awards, finished first in the league in points, was named the cover athlete for NHL 18, and he led the Oilers to the playoffs. Simply put, he's got the second spot locked down.
The third spot, on the other hand, is a little more debatable, but Malkin's brilliance during the season and playoffs was enough to get him the nod in our books.
Left Wingers
1. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
2. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars
3. Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins
Ovi and Benn are 1A and 1B. We're all about the goals, though, and The Great 8 hasn't lost a step in that department.
You could make an argument for Marchand to be in the top spot, though, as he led all left wingers in goals and points.
Right Wingers
1. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
2. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues
3. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
For the second straight season, Kane led all right wingers in points. Until someone knocks him off the mountain, he'll stay right at the top.
Tarasenko and Kucherov, two young and talented players approaching their prime, have the ability to take over.
Defenceman
1. Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
2. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
3. Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks
Karlsson didn't win the Norris, but during the playoffs he showed the hockey world why he's the best defenceman in the game right now. The guy gets it done in both ends of the ice and he plays a ton of minutes against the best players.
Doughty and Burns are the last two Norris winners and they're both two of the best in the league, but spots two and three are certainly debatable.
Goalies
1. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
2. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals
3. Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets
Like the d-men, the goalies are also very debatable. We don't want to crown Matt Murray just yet, but we understand why he should be considered for a top-three spot.
Carey Price is probably the consensus top selection, but Braden Holtby's excellence over the past few years can't be denied.
That said, we understand if some fans would put Bobrovsky ahead of Holtby as he won the Vezina last year.
