NHL 18 Player Ratings - Top 10 Right Wingers
 

EA has posted the overall player ratings for the top 10 right wingers in NHL 18....

Written By: Steve Noah

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Re: NHL 18 Player Ratings - Top 10 Right Wingers
 

Phil Kessel's slap shot power and accuracy LOL.

NHL 18 Player Ratings - Top 10 Right Wingers
 

I know Kessel, like other players, have varying slap shots and wrist shots. Some players have great wrist shots but bad slap shots, and other players are the opposite.

But I believe the simulation engine for things like Franchise Mode are determining stats based off attributes. So if it sees that Kessel has a bad slap shot, I think it would probably make Kessel score less goals than he would in real life.

This is why almost all of the players in the rosters I make have similar slap shots and wrist shots - so I would get accurate results in Franchise Mode. I think they just have to tweak their simulation engine a bit.


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Re: NHL 18 Player Ratings - Top 10 Right Wingers
 

I'd say I would want them to add traits into the game as a modifier for certain players, but I'm afraid adding another variable into the mix would screw things up.

Something like "quick snap" trait would not only give Kessel a unique animation for his wrister/snapper, and he would also favor it heavily vs slap shot. I think I saw him take two slappers (awful at that with his flexy jello stick) in his years with the Leafs.

It would have to be a pretty detailed implementation as you wouldn't want a guy like Crosby with an "elite backhand" trait to favor that type of shot over wrister or slapper.

Re: NHL 18 Player Ratings - Top 10 Right Wingers
 

Good point, and one I didn't consider when I edited players. If it doesn't already, perhaps OFF AWR could carry more weight in sim stats. Rookies could have good skill ratings but not pile up points until they "learn the pro game" and it might make a crafty old vet like Jagr more productive without having to goose his ratings.

Of course, this would require a progression system that allows for awareness to start low (aside from rare elite talent) and progress with experience. I think they could do something like that using an accomplishment system:

• 82 games played = +5 OFF/DEF/POI (with a few more benchmarks so long-time vets are highly rated)
• Win Richard/Art Ross = +5 OFF
• Win Selke = +5 DEF
• Win Norris = +5 OFF +5 DEF
• Win the Cup = +5 OFF +5 DEF +10 POI

Or something like that, anyway. What were we talking about again, Top 10 RW?