Nov 26, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
NHL 16 Player Rankings – Right Wing
1. Corey Perry – 92
2. Patrick Kane – 92
3. Vladimir Tarasenko – 91
4. Jakub Voracek – 90
5. Marian Hossa – 90
6. Phil Kessel – 89
7. Rick Nash – 89
8. Blake Wheeler – 89
9. Kyle Okposo – 88
10. Jiri Hudler – 88
Thoughts
Considering the players that Phil Kessel had alongside him last season, I’m surprised that his performance dropped him to an 89 overall rating.
There’s a good chance Kessel explodes this season in Pittsburgh, which will mean a much higher rating to start the season next year. Of course, EA Sports isn’t going to take potential output due to a change in line mates into consideration when ranking someone for a video game. It’s about how you performed as a player. If Kessel puts up the monstrous numbers some have predicted him to, he could likely top the list of right-wings next season.
Most surprising player on this list? My vote is for Jiri Hudler. I completely understand the season he had in 2014-15 but is he really a top-10 right-wing? Not in my opinion.
Next: Defensemen