Hockey season is just around the corner for Colorado Avalanche fans, and for those who are looking to get a head start on their hockey fix, the newest edition of the EA Sports NHL franchise releases in two weeks. The player ratings for the game were recently announced, and the Colorado Avalanche are well represented at the top.
Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar have arguably been the two best players in the NHL this decade and are a big part of why the burgundy and blue have constantly been at the top of the standings in the 2020s. MacKinnon won the Hart Trophy in 2024 as the league’s MVP while Makar won the Norris Trophy in 2022 and 2025 as the league’s top defenseman. The dynamic duo was recognized in the game’s inaugural ratings as two of the six best players in the game.
McDavid headlines the Top 10 Overall in #NHL26. 🥇
But who do you really think deserves the #2 spot?
See more Ratings: https://t.co/1ZOOUJeVAz pic.twitter.com/qKTUx5d55K
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) August 28, 2025
MacKinnon was given a 96 overall rating, the second-best mark to only Connor McDavid, while Makar found himself with a 95 overall rating, tied for the highest mark among defenseman with Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes. Hughes won the Norris Trophy in 2024 and was the only player in contention with Makar this past season, so that is a well-deserved rating, even if Avalanche fans don’t agree.
For the rest of the team, there are 10 players rocking the burgundy and blue sweater who have a rating of 85 or better, including captain Gabriel Landeskog.
Our Top 10 players in NHL 26 🎮 pic.twitter.com/QzI3ESIIUc
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 27, 2025
While the Avalanche might have some questions surrounding the team’s depth heading into the season, it’s no question that the top of their lineup stacks up against any other team in the NHL. Martin Necas was the only other player to eclipse the 90 overall mark.
The 2025-26 campaign is an important one for the Avalanche. They’ve been eliminated from the playoffs much earlier than they hoped in each of the last three seasons since hoisting the Stanley Cup, and with an aging pool of talent (outside of Makar), time is running out on this era of Avs hockey. On paper and in video games, this team has what it takes to win another Cup, but none of that matters when they players step onto the ice to kick the season off.
