What does NHL 16 think of the Flames?

Hey, NHL 16 is out! Sure, it’s retailing for around $90, but at least the Flames will be fun this year!

Every since they started rebuilding, the Flames (predictably) received low ratings in every year's NHL game. It felt like betrayal to pick another team just so you could stand a chance against your friends/family members/roommates/random people online.

Play in shame no more! EA thinks very highly of the Flames this year, giving ratings of 89 for offence, 93 for defence (tied with the Sharks, Rangers, and Predators for best), and an 87 in goaltending. We’re going to quickly go over the player ratings for the game, and give a bit of opinion on it.

Just a note, these are the rosters that came out of the box. Obviously, some of these guys aren't even with the team anymore, some of these players are on the wrong lines, and some of them aren't even on the right team. This is just what EA defaults to, regardless of real life deployment.

Forwards

• 86 is pretty good, but I would think Johnny Gaudreau would be a bit better than that, considering the ratings his linemates were given. Even more surprising when you consider that he’s nearly a decade younger and produced more points than Zach Parise, third best LW in the game.
• Even EA should know that Mason Raymond should not be on the second line.
• Despite their surprising rookie seasons, Josh Jooris and Micheal Ferland are given replacement level ratings. Rude.

Defence

Goalies

Scratches:

Now let's look at the Stockton Heat:

Forwards

• Poirier is actually the second highest rated rookie behind Connor McDavid, which is nice.
• Drew Shore is apparently impressive EA folks, considering that he has a higher rating than Paul Byron, who is actually an established NHL forward.
• For some reason, I am mad at Byron’s rating. I’m mad at a number in a video game. I don’t consider it irrational at all.
• Hunter Smith having the same rating as Gillies seems appropriate and accurate.

Defence

Goalies

Odds and ends

Here are the players that didn't make the cut for Stockton's default lines, but are still on the team:

As for recently drafted prospects, posting their ratings is meaningless. They're given CHL ratings (anywhere from 49-65), so nothing is really reflective of the truth.

Playing the game:

Of course, all of this is meaningless if we don’t at least try the players out to see what exactly is the difference between 86 and 87. I went with a classic Oilers-Flames matchup (I won 7-5. I am terrible at video games) to test out the virtual Flames.

NHL 16 is a pretty fun game, if you really feel like not buying anything for the rest of the week. Rest assured, the Flames are good again, and you'll definitely have fun playing with them.

by xx xx