New York Islanders EA NHL 18 Predicting Player Ratings

Defensemen

First Pairing

Leddy 88 (87) – Boychuk 87 (88)

Do you think that Travis Hamonic was a better defenseman than Nick Leddy? I didn’t think so. I understand that the overall ratings are an average of individual skill points, but there’s no reason to have Leddy at 87 and Hamonic and Boychuk at 88.

Boychuk gets downgraded for obvious reasons. He isn’t at the same level as Nick Leddy. Leddy can score, sure, but Leddy’s defensive play is better. His skating is better in every sense; agility, speed, acceleration. So Boychuk goes to 87.

Second Pairing
Pulock 81(80) – de Haan 84 (82)

Ryan Pulock is unquestionably better than he was at the start of last season. There’s no reason he doesn’t start on the New York Islanders roster next season (although we said for months last season to no avail). His 81 reflects his growth in the AHL and move to the NHL.

de Haan showed just how good he was last season. An 82 rating seems like the bare minimum. A two point bump to 84 seems right.

Third Pair
Pelech 80 (76) – Seidenberg 83(84)

Adam Pelech was a surprise last season. When Hamonic went down with injury Pelech stepped up to the first pairing next to Nick Leddy and fit right in. His 80 reflects his new four-year $6.4 million deal that should keep him in the NHL in 2017-18.

Must Read: Isles Resign Adam Pelech

Like Jason Chimera, Dennis Seidenberg is getting up there in age. The 36-year-old takes a drop in his overall rating thanks to age.

The Other
Hickey 83 (83)

Is there a reason for Thomas Hickey to take a dip? Nope. Maybe he takes an extra point for being a backup winger? I doubt EA has a category for versatility.