Alex Ovechkin took a small step back in his play last season, and the video gaming world took notice.
While Ovechkin is still the highest-rated player on the virtual Capitals and ranked the tenth-best left wing in hockey, his overall rating fell to 89, down two points from last year and dipping under 90 at the game’s release for the first time in his career.
EA Sports is releasing individual player ratings ahead of its latest NHL video game drop, NHL 25, on October 4. The cover athletes are brothers Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes, and Luke Hughes.
Season 20 for Ovi 😯 #NHL25 | @Capitals pic.twitter.com/Z2NYgrLu3U
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) September 17, 2024
Ovechkin’s first appearance in the EA Sports franchise came during the 2007 version of the game on which he graced the cover. He was given a 95 overall rating then and has since been rated at least 91 overall in 17 additional game issues until now. The 2024-25 season will mark his 20th in the NHL.
| EA Sports NHL release | Ovechkin’s rating |
|---|---|
| NHL 07 | 95 |
| NHL 09 | 94 |
| NHL 11 | 94 |
| NHL 14 | 94 |
| NHL 17 | 94 |
| NHL 12 | 93 |
| NHL 13 | 93 |
| NHL 15 | 93 |
| NHL 16 | 93 |
| NHL 21 | 93 |
| NHL 10 | 92 |
| NHL 18 | 92 |
| NHL 19 | 92 |
| NHL 20 | 92 |
| NHL 22 | 92 |
| NHL 23 | 92 |
| NHL 08 | 91 |
| NHL 24 | 91 |
| NHL 25 | 89 |
Among all the players in the game, Ovechkin ranks 53rd best and is 17th among all wingers. He is the only winger above the age of 32 within the top 18.
Top 10 Left Wingers in #NHL25 💥
See more ratings 🔗 https://t.co/YmFdRTV3BR pic.twitter.com/2Yc6MBfhAY
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) September 16, 2024
Despite receiving the worst overall rating of his storied career, Ovechkin still has the league’s top rating in slap shot power (95) and the fourth-best rating in wrist shot power (93). The ratings there track as Ovechkin led all forwards in 90 MPH-plus shots last season.
After Ovechkin, John Carlson is the next highest-rated Capitals player, also ranked 89 overall, and is the only other Capitals player within the top 150 rated players. Carlson is ranked as the sixth-best right-handed defenseman.
The veteran blueliner’s shot power is also well respected. He ranks ninth in slap shot power (93) and tied with Ovechkin in wrist shot power (93).
The former cover athlete is still on 🔝
Top 10 Right Defensemen in #NHL25 pic.twitter.com/iS7xCvXW8P
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) September 17, 2024
The next highest-rated Capitals overall are Dylan Strome (86), Jakob Chychrun (86), Martin Fehervary (85), Tom Wilson (84), Logan Thompson (84), and Matt Roy (84).
Connor McDavid is the top-rated player in the game at 97.
While most Capitals players are not high on the leaderboard, we’re going to assume Charlie Lindgren was given a 99 rating for his mustache.
You can preorder NHL 25 for both the Xbox and PlayStation.
