EA SPORTS NHL 16: Colorado Avalanche Player Ratings

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Apr 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate the win over the Chicago Blackhawks at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Blackhawks 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Avalanche didn’t do too well last season. Now the good part: they will be featured in EA SPORTS NHL 16 anyway.

As we all know, though, whoever is responsible for player ratings in EA SPORTS’ NHL office, doesn’t always do the best job. We have had ridiculously overrated players like Dave Bolland at 85, as well as outstanding youngstars that were lucky if they made it past 70.

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Unfortunately, there is a great chance that everybody will disagree with one rating or another, but we can at least try to get closer to reality. We also have to note that the rating system gets changed every once in a while, and why none of that got public for EA SPORTS NHL 16, it remains a possibility. Therefore, this will be based on last year’s version of the game, which — as we all know — is likely the same game with outdated rosters.

Let’s jump right into it, starting with our goalies. All of last year’s ratings were the original ratings each player had, according to HUTHQ.com.

Next: Goalies

EA SPORTS NHL 16 Colorado Avalanche goalies

Apr 7, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) makes a save in the third period against the Nashville Predators at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Predators 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Semyon Varlamov: 90 (NHL 15: 89)
EA actually got this one right. The way Varlamov has been playing over the past couple of seasons, he totally deserves that rating. He isn’t quite as good as Carey Price, who should probably be around 93, but he is just as valuable for the Avalanche.

Reto Berra: 76 (NHL 15: 80)
What many people don’t know, 76 is a really low rating. It still sounds quite high, but it really isn’t, compared to other players in the game. Unfortunately, Berra doesn’t deserve anything above it, thanks to his very low consistency. Well, EA’s NHL franchise also has a consistency rating, so maybe Berra could be rated slightly higher, while having a horrible consistency rating.

Calvin Pickard: 79 (NHL 15: 76)
Calvin Pickard gets a slight upgrade from his 2015 rating. Statistically, he was the best Avalanche goalie of the last season, but he didn’t do as well in more games in the AHL. Pickard hasn’t made it to the NHL full-time yet, but may get another upgrade if he makes it next season.

Next: Defensemen

EA SPORTS NHL 16 Colorado Avalanche defensemen

Nov 4, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) during the game against the Vancouver Canucks at Pepsi Center. The Canucks won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Erik Johnson: 88 (NHL 15: 86)
We had a little bit of a debate going, about Erik Johnson being a “true No. 1” defenseman. Whatever he is, he was an NHL all-star this past season, while being one of two Avs D-men that played on NHL level. He deserves a little raise from his 86.

Francois Beauchemin: 83 (NHL 15: 83)
Last season, Francois Beauchemin and Hampus Lindholm were both rated 83 by EA SPORTS, before Beauchemin took the No. 1 role for the Ducks. However, he is aging, and probably isn’t better than an 83 anymore. Johnson and Beauchemin are a very good pair nonetheless.

Tyson Barrie: 85 (NHL 15: 85)
In last year’s game, I actually found Barrie to be a little bit overrated, especially considering the fact that Johnson was an 86. In EA SPORTS NHL 16, however, Barrie should deserve that rating. If he improves on his defensive play, he may even get closer to Johnson again.

Nikita Zadorov: 80 (NHL 15: 80)
Let’s all hope that Zadorov plays like an 80. He is one of the players I found to be overrated in last year’s game, though. Then he emerged as one of the best defensemen on a crappy Sabres team, especially when he was paired with Rasmus Ristolainen.

Nick Holden: 78 (NHL 15: 81)
I recently wrote an article about Holden being underrated, and how he could surprise many. But 81? Ha! That would even surprise me.

Brad Stuart: 76 (NHL 15: 82)
As you can see, we have entered EA’s joke department. Well, we actually can’t blame them. The Avs were so convinced that he’s a good addition — they gave him a huge contract that pays $3.6 million a year. To add to that fun, he also got a no-trade clause. Total brain fart by Joe Sakic (sorry, Joe).

Nate Guenin: 73 (NHL 15: 75)
Nate Guenin’s 75 rating is already ridiculously low for NHL 15. But let’s take it down another step. EA SPORTS NHL 16 shouldn’t have him rated higher than 73. Down you go, they might appreciate you in San Antonio. Oh, I feel so bad for talking about a player like that. Sorry.

Duncan Siemens: 73 (NHL 15: 71)
I am still not sure about Siemens, but he did take a step forward since last year. We’ll have to see how well he does over more than one game in the NHL, before we rate him higher than Guenin, though.

Chris Bigras: 75 (NHL 15: 66)
If Stuart is an 82, how does Bigras get to 66? Oh right, Stuart is at the end of a highly successful NHL career, while Bigras hasn’t even started his. Anyway, Bigras seems ready to join the Avs in the NHL very soon. If the experiment goes right, his rating can only shoot farther up.

Next: Left wings

EA SPORTS NHL 16 Colorado Avalanche left wings

Dec 17, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) skates in warm-ups prior to the game against against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Avalanche 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Gabriel Landeskog: 88 (NHL 15: 88)
EA actually nailed this one. Well, if the game was about beauty, Landeskog would clearly be a 99. But it isn’t, and Landeskog isn’t the modern Wayne Gretzky. Still, he’s the Avalanche’s best left wing, a great player and a great captain.

Alex Tanguay: 84 (NHL 15: 84)
Remember when I said EA’s ratings often suck? Well, they do. But it looks like they were alright on the left wings. Tanguay is one of Colorado’s best, but in his mid-30s, he likely won’t go any higher anymore.

Blake Comeau: 82 (NHL 15: 82)
Told you, they got these right. Comeau is the No. 3 on the Avalanche’s depth chart. He’s a good two-way forward that may also get some time on the second line, if he has to. Nothing more, nothing less.

Cody McLeod: 76 (NHL 15: 78)
Good ol’ Cody McLeod is one of the Avalanche’s assistant captains and apparently a great presence in the locker room. On the ice, however, he really isn’t that great anymore. Good fighting skill, but that’s about it.

Patrick Bordeleau: 73 (NHL 15: 77)
Bordeleau is similar to McLeod, except he’s neither a great presence in the locker room, nor a great player. Sorry Patrick, but this should be your last time listed on the Avalanche’s roster.

Next: Centers

EA SPORTS NHL 16 Colorado Avalanche centers

Apr 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) during the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Duchene: 88 (NHL 15: 90)
Unfortunately, we have to say goodbye to the Avalanche’s only 90 rating from NHL 15. Good thing Varlamov got 90 this time around. Duchene’s production took a dip with that of everyone else’s. The 90 just seem a little high for someone who only records 55 points a season. Actually, 88 still seem high, but we all know what Dutchy can do.

Carl Soderberg: 85 (NHL 15: 83)
Is this just a hope or an actual prediction? Maybe a little bit of both. If Soderberg wants to stay on the second line, he better play like an 85. His former 83 wasn’t bad, and may be closer to his actual skill, but one can always hope.

John Mitchell: 82 (NHL 15: 82)
Even though John Mitchell doesn’t exactly know what his role is with the team, he can likely be happy about an 82 rating in EA SPORTS NHL 16. Well, I honestly don’t know if that’s the kind of stuff hockey players get excited about. “Ha-ha! I’m an 82 and you’re only a 78! Nananananana!” Sorry, I’m drifting off…

Mikhail Grigorenko: 80 (NHL 15: 82)
Grigorenko scored the majority of his career NHL points this past season. However, he still didn’t look like a consistent NHL player. Is 80 still a little too high? Hopefully not, because he may have to be our No. 2 center.

Marc-Andre Cliche: 73 (NHL 15: 78)
Why did people ever think Cliche was an NHL forward? Who knows.

Jesse Winchester: 76 (NHL 15: 76)
Actually, I don’t really know how good Winchester is anymore. He used to be a 78 or so, but concussions can quickly change that. Therefore, I just decided to go with no change for this year.

Joey Hishon: 75 (NHL 15: 68)
See, who makes those ratings? Has that person ever seen a Lake Erie Monsters game? Oh well. Hishon still isn’t an established NHL forward and his defensive play prevents him from earning a higher rating.

Next: Right wings

EA SPORTS NHL 16 Colorado Avalanche right wings

Apr 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Jarome Iginla (12) celebrates his go ahead goal late in the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Blackhawks 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Jarome Iginla: 86 (NHL 15: 86)
The Avalanche’s best scorer of the 2014-15 season, Jarome Iginla deserves to be one of their highest-rated players. He may drop down due to age-related regression, but we’ll hope for the best.

Nathan MacKinnon: 86 (NHL 15: 86)
MacKinnon’s name stands alone as the personified slump that last season was. Why? Nobody knows. He showed what he can do in the world’s best league, and there is no doubt that he’ll get back to that.

Dennis Everberg: 77 (NHL 15: 70)
Everberg came out of Sweden’s second-tier league. Therefore, his original rating was no surprise. He did, however, prove that he can play in the NHL, and despite having an injured shoulder, he should be able to build on that next season.

Mikko Rantanen: 73 (NHL 15: 69)
Rantanen was one of TPS Turku’s best players last season. He will likely start the 2015-16 campaign in San Antonio, but I thought it would be fun to add him here anyway. In EA SPORTS NHL 16, he would deserve a 73 rating, and if he manages to make the roster out of training camp, it could go even higher.

Do you agree with my rankings or would you do something differently? Let us know in the comments.

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