The mud has settled from the transient “controversy” associated to the announcement of who can be on the quilt of this yr’s EA NHL online game.
Some followers had been upset by the choice to function Florida Panthers ahead Matthew Tkachuk, Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk, in addition to their father, Corridor of Famer Keith Tkachuk, on the quilt of NHL 2026.
The Tkachuks carry a repute — you possibly can quibble over whether or not it’s a great one or a foul one — due to their crap-stirring antics on the ice, and, in some half, their political leanings. However you possibly can’t quibble over the truth that Matthew is among the faces of the NHL in the present day and, a minimum of, a prime 20 participant within the league.
Whether or not or not EA’s resolution was one of the best one, it’s gotten followers speaking in regards to the new sport, which might be the purpose, proper?
It definitely generated extra dialog than different current selections, to the extent that it in all probability bears repeating precisely who the latest cowl athletes had been for EA’s NHL sport.
Most Current Gamers To Be on the Cowl of EA NHL
Quinn, Luke, and Jack Hughes – NHL 25
That is the second yr in a row that EA has gone with the household angle.
Whereas none have received a Stanley Cup, the Hughes brothers in all probability rival the Tkachuk brothers when it comes to pure particular person accomplishments.
Quinn is a two-time All-Star defenseman with the Vancouver Canucks. The yr he was featured on the quilt of the NHL sport, he received the 2024 Norris Trophy award.
Luke is a defenseman with the Devils and appeared on the NHL’s All-Rookie Workforce in 2024.
Jack, a middle for New Jersey, is among the greatest younger gamers within the NHL proper now. At 24 years outdated, he’s already appeared in three All-Star video games. He was named to the 4 Nations workforce this season however was unable to play as a result of damage. Within the season previous to being placed on the quilt of NHL 2025 together with his brothers, Jack had 27 targets and 47 assists in 62 video games performed.
Cale Makar – NHL 24
One of many sport’s different greatest younger gamers is Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, who was chosen for the quilt of the NHL 24 sport.
At simply 26 years outdated, Makar has already had an extremely adorned profession. He’s a three-time All-Star, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, a former Calder Trophy winner, and a Conn Smythe Trophy winner.
Makar was a part of Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship workforce.
Earlier than being chosen to seem on the quilt of NHL 24, Makar had a 66-point season, with 17 targets and 49 assists.
Trevor Zegras, Sarah Nurse – NHL 23
The NHL 23 cowl made historical past, with Sarah Nurse changing into the primary feminine hockey participant to be featured on the sport’s cowl.
Earlier than being chosen to seem on the quilt, Nurse had an illustrious profession, enjoying faculty hockey with the Wisconsin Badgers and representing Workforce Canada on the worldwide degree.
Nurse received a gold medal with Workforce Canada on the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. She has additionally received two gold medals on the IIHF Ladies’s World Championships.
Additionally featured on the quilt was rising younger star Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Geese. Zegras was named to the league’s All-Rookie Workforce after his 2022 season. Earlier than being placed on the quilt, he had a 65-point season with 23 targets and 42 assists.
Nurse joined the PWHL Toronto franchise, now named the Toronto Scepters, when the league fashioned in 2023. This offseason, Zegras was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Auston Matthews — NHL 22
Whereas he’s presently the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews was already the most effective gamers of his era when he was chosen to be on the quilt of the NHL 22 sport.
It was his second time being on the quilt of the sport after first being featured for NHL 20.
Matthews is a seven-time All-Star and received the Hart Trophy in 2022. He additionally served because the captain for Workforce USA on the 4 Nations match earlier this yr.
Matthews had a league-leading 41 targets within the season earlier than he was chosen to be on the quilt of EA’s sport.
