New York Islanders EA NHL 18 Predicting Player Ratings

Forwards

First Line

Lee 86 (84) – Tavares 93 (93) – Eberle 86 (87)

After a breakout year in 2016-17 with 34 goals, Anders Lee gets a bump. It’s not going to be a big jump, but I’d expect him to hit 86 to start the year.

I don’t expect Jordan Eberle to make any moves, but I’d understand if EA found him to have slipped and dock him a point. An 86 rating for Eberle

Tavares wasn’t as productive as we’re used to seeing, but he was still that dominant player the New York Islanders drafted back in 2009. EA won’t touch his rating, keeping it at 93 for NHL 18.

Second Line

Ladd 86 (87) – Nelson 85 (85) – Bailey 85 (83)

I think Ladd takes a step down. His 87 seemed a tad high, to begin with. After last season’s failed experiment as a winger for JT, the word might just be out on Ladd that regression is hitting.

Brock was the same player he was last season and the season before that. He hit 20 goals and 25 assists, continuing his 40ish point trend. If only he’d be present for that whole 82 game he could easily top 50 points.

Bailey’s career year won’t go unnoticed. What Josh Bailey did last season was out of the norm, but EA won’t be shy to give him a bump. I only gave him two points, but putting him up to 87 wouldn’t surprise me.

Must Read: Josh Bailey's Success Wasn't An Accident

Third Line

Beauvillier 82 (81) – Barzal 81 (74) – Ho-Sang 82 (75)

Anthony Beauvillier at 82 for the 2018 edition makes sense. It recognizes that the now 20-year-old spent the season in the NHL. But that’s the only bump he gets or even deserves.

Barzal gets a big bump to reflect that he isn’t in the WHL anymore. His level up from juniors to the NHL merits the seven point jump he gets.

Joshua Ho-Sang’s in the same boat, his jump from the AHL to the NHL gets a big bump in his overall rating. His extra point to 82 is thanks to that amazing 21 game foray in the NHL at the end of the 2016-17 season.

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Fourth Line
Kulemin 83 (83) – Cizikas 84 (82) – Clutterbuck 82 (82)

Nikolai Kulemin stays at an 83. There’s just no reason to lower or increase his rating. He’s seemingly flatlined at the 23 point range and doesn’t look to be getting any better.

Casey Cizikas gets a two point bump for his effectiveness and production. Hitting 25 points is lower than his 29 in 2015-16, but Cizikas played 21 fewer games. His injuries limited his play but Cizikas was an impact player when he was on the ice.

Cal Clutterbuck, just like Kulemin, stays at the same 82 rating. He hasn’t done anything to deserve a bump t his rating. And I think EA sees the same thing.

The Others
Chimera 82 (83)-Prince 79 (79)

There’s no reason for a 38-year-old to stay at the same rating. Every year Chimera is going to slow down just a little bit, he’s not going to be the same physical specimen he was the year prior. He’s still useful, so a single point is docked.

An argument can be made to have Shane Prince sit at 80 to 81. He’s at best a bottom six NHL level player. I won’t make it, but it can be made.