NHL 23 is fast approaching the goal line, with its imminent release only weeks away. Fans of the professional hockey sim will once again be able to hit the ice with their favorite players, as well as new features. Some of the new additions to the game include cross-platform/cross-play matchmaking, broader additions to the Hockey Ultimate Team feature including women’s team players, and more interactive crowds to celebrate the wins and taunt you in your losses. But to enjoy momentous occasions such as a Stanley Cup celebration or pulling off a successful Hat Trick, you need players capable of holding onto the puck. Read on for our list of the Strongest Players in NHL 23!
Strongest Players in NHL 23
EA Sports has kindly provided information on the strongest players in NHL 23, although they have only listed them in order of their Overall Rating (OVR) so the Strength rating (STR) of each player might result in a different placement. But as it stands, if you use any of these players in your HUT lineup, you’ll be ready to fight for the puck, and hold fast against opponents looking to stop your team from breaking out and reaching their goal. Read below for our list, from highest to lowest OVR:
| Player | Team | Position | OVR |
| Milan Lucic | Calgary Flames | Left Wing | 93 |
| Jamie Oleksiak | Seattle Kraken | Left Defense | 93 |
| Tom Wilson | Washington Capitals | Right Wing | 93 |
| Alex Ovechkin | Washington Capitals | Left Wing | 93 |
| Victor Hedman | Tampa Bay Lightning | Left Defense | 93 |
| Ryan Reaves | New York Rangers | Right Wing | 92 |
| Zack Kassian | Arizona Coyotes | Right Wing | 92 |
| Leon Draisaitl | Edmonton Oilers | Center | 92 |
| Evgeni Malkin | Pittsburgh Penguins | Center | 92 |
| Roman Josi | Nashville Predators | Left Defense | 92 |
Top 10 💪 #NHL23
Which 93 Strength player would you put at the top spot? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/dJRVpKSZGW
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) September 20, 2022
With a robust lineup of strong players not even going below 90 in OVR, you can’t go wrong with any of these players. It’s not a coincidence, either, that most of the players on this list are offensive, as having enough Strength to hold onto the puck is fundamental for breaking through defensive lines and scoring your goals. Roman Josi, Evgeni Malkin, Leon Draisaitl, and Alex Ovechkin, among others in this list, rank among the best players in the NHL, and several have brought home the Stanley Cup, hockey’s greatest prize, over the years.
NHL 23 will release on October 14 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
