NHL 18: Top 10 highest-rated players at each position

Top 10 right wings

All the names rated for the same six categories as the defensemen and left wings are what you would expect them to be, with these wings demonstrating that some rosters in this year’s game are a step above others.

1. Patrick Kane, 91 – Kane’s overall rating is only bested by Alexander Ovechkin’s 92, but there are few disparities between the best wings in this year’s game. Kane’s physicality is ranked lower, but in every other category, Kane is on par with the best talents in NHL 18.
2. Vladamir Tarasenko, 90 – Now a year removed from his appearance on the game’s cover, Tarasenko didn’t show any signs of a cover curse last season. For gamers, Tarasenko makes the St. Louis Blues an attractive roster pairing his scoring talents with Alex Pietrangelo’s defense and transition skills. If used correctly, the pair should be able to fill opponents’ nets with pucks.
3. Nikita Kucherov, 89 – Kucherov’s Acceleration and Agility ratings are only bested at his position by Kane, and his Speed rating is actually two points higher than Kane’s. Few if any other players will be able to keep up with the Tampa Bay Lightning star in terms of a footrace to the net.
4. Joe Pavelski, 88 – The San Jose Sharks are well represented in this year’s game, as Pavelski’s skills will be augmented when he is on the ice at the same time as Brent Burns. Pavelski is probably the most versatile wing on this list, able to play either wing spot or center well.
5. Blake Wheeler, 87 – Getting a well-deserved nod for the Winnipeg Jets here, the raw power that Wheeler brings to the ice is a difficult thing for opponents to handle. Gamers should use him not only on breakaways after turnovers, but to set up teammates as well.
6. David Pastrnak, 87 – If an opponent is able to slow down Brad Marchand, that just means that they may have chosen to ignore Pastrnak. That’s a bad decision. Pastrnak is one of the purest human highlight reels in the NHL.
7. Jakub Voracek, 87 – Voracek gives the Philadelphia Flyers some value to game players with his five-star puck skills and shooting. His skating and senses are just half a star away from being top-notch as well. On his team’s roster, he is only mimicked by the next man on this list.
8. Wayne Simmonds, 86 – When the Voracek line is on the bench, there is almost zero drop off in terms of right wing production thanks to Simmonds. He has four and a half stars in five out of six categories, making him a headache for opponents.
9. Patrik Laine, 86 – See above and apply the same to the Winnipeg Jets with the combo of Wheeler and Laine. He’s still a teenager, but many players twice his age wish that they had Laine’s ability on the slap shot, rated 92 for both accuracy and power.
10. Phil Kessel, 86 – Gamers should put Kessel on the ice at the same time as defenseman Kris Letang and reap the benefits. Kessel gets five stars for his shooting, skating and puck skills, making him a perfect compliment for another forward who might be appearing in the center rankings.