NHL 24 player ratings: Best forwards, defensemen, more

Bench hit in NHL 24

NHL 24 has a variety of players to choose from which might get overwhelming at times so we’ve got you covered with a rundown of the player ratings for the best forwards, defensemen, and goalies.

NHL 24 added plenty of refreshed player ratings to look forward which gave fans an indication of the prowess of some of Hockey’s most skilled players today.

NHL 24 overhauled its gameplay mechanics by introducing various skill moves, a new stamina engine, and goalie fatigue. So, here are the player ratings for the best forwards, defensemen, and goalies in NHL 24.

Article continues after ad
Matthew Tkachuk in NHL 24Electronic Arts

Best centers in NHL 24

Let’s start with the best centers in NHL 24:

NameTeamOverall
Connor McDavidEdmonton Oilers97
Leon DraisaitlEdmonton Oilers95
Nathan MacKinnonColorado Avalanche95
Sidney CrosbyPittsburgh Penguins93
Auston MatthewsToronto Maple Leafs93
Jack HughesNew Jersey Devils93
Elias PetterssonVancouver Canucks94
Aleksander BarkovFlorida Panthers92
Brayden PointTampa Bay Lightning92
Tage ThompsonBuffalo Sabres91

2022-23 Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid holds the top spot at 97 OVR, two points ahead of his Oilers teammate Leon Draisaitl. Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, and Auston Matthews round out the top five.

Best left wingers in NHL 24

These are the best left wingers in NHL 24:

NameTeamOverall
Matthew TkachukFlorida Panthers94
Artemi PanarinNew York Rangers93
Jason RobertsonDallas Stars92
Kirill KaprizovMinnesota Wild92
Alexander OvechkinWashington Capitals91
Brad MarchandBoston Bruins91
Kyle ConnorWinnipeg Jets90
Clayton KellerArizona Coyotes89
Brady TkachukOttawa Senators89
Johnny GaudreauColumbus Blue Jackets89

After an incredible season with the Florida Panthers, Matthew Tkachuk is the top-rated left winger in NHL 24.

Artemi Panarin and Stars forward Jason Robertson round out the top three.

Article continues after ad

Best right wingers in NHL 24

Now, here’s a look at the player ratings for the best right wingers in NHL 24:

NameTeamOverall
David PastrnakBoston Bruins95
Nikita KucherovTampa Bay Lightning95
Mikko RantanenColorado Avalanche93
Mitchell MarnerToronto Maple Leafs92
William NylanderToronto Maple Leafs91
Mark StoneVegas Golden Knights90
Patrick KaneFree Agent89
Andrei SvechnikovCarolina Hurricanes88
Pavel BuchnevichSt. Louis Blues88
Joe PavelskiDallas Stars88

A pair of superstars headline this list, as David Pastrnak and Nikita Kucherov are the two best right wingers in NHL 24.

2023 Stanley Cup champion Mark Stone, and Leafs wingers Mitchell Marner and William Nylander are among other notable names in the top ten.

Best left defensemen in NHL 24

These are the players ratings for the best left defensemen in NHL 24

NameTeamOverall
Roman JosiNashville Predators94
Victor HedmanTampa Bay Lightning93
Quinn HughesVancouver Canucks92
Rasmus DahlinBuffalo Sabres91
Miro HeiskanenDallas Stars91
Shea TheodoreVegas Golden Knights89
Josh MorrisseyWinnipeg Jets89
Devon ToewsColorado Avalanche88
Jaccob SlavinCarolina Hurricanes88
Thomas ChabotOttawa Senators87

Predators captain Roman Josi is the top left defenseman, as he beat out two-time Stanley Cup winner and former Norris Trophy winner Victor Hedman for the best at the position. A trio of youngsters in Quinn Hughes, Rasmus Dahlin, and Miro Heiskanen round out the top five.

Article continues after ad

Best right defensemen in NHL 24

Now, player ratings for the best right defensemen in NHL 24

NameTeamOverall
Cale MakarColorado Avalanche95
Charlie McAvoyBoston Bruins92
Adam FoxNew York Rangers92
Erik KarlssonPittsburgh Penguins91
Dougie HamiltonNew Jersey Devils90
John CarlsonWashington Capitals89
Alex PietrangeloVegas Golden Knights89
Drew DoughtyLos Angeles Kings88
Moritz SeiderDetroit Red Wings88
Kris LetangPittsburgh Penguins88

The cover athlete reigns supreme among right defensemen, as Avalanche star Cale Makar will begin the year at 95 OVR. Charlie McAvoy of the Bruins is second, and former Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox and Erik Karlsson are among the top five from the right side.

Best goalies in NHL 24

These are the best goalies in NHL 24:

NameTeamOverall
Andrei VasilevskiyTampa Bay Lightning93
Ilya SorokinNew York Islanders92
Igor ShesterkinNew York Rangers92
Connor HellebuyckWinnipeg Jets90
Linus UllmarkBoston Bruins90
Jake OettingerDallas Stars90
Juuse SarosNashville Predators89
Thatcher DemkoVancouver Canucks89
Frederik AndersonCarolina Hurricanes88
Carter HartPhiladephia Flyers87

Two-time Stanley Cup winner Andrei Vasilevskiy is the top goaltender in NHL 24. The Tampa goalie was given a 93 OVR, one point higher than figures given to Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin and Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin.

Article continues after ad

Now that you know the best player ratings for NHL 24, you can take a look at how to start a fight in NHL 24 or check out how to do the Michigan which is a unique kind of goal in NHL 24.