"Why does NHL not do 99s?": Connor McDavid questions his 97 OVR NHL 25 rating

By ARJUN B

Modified Sep 20, 2024 04:44 GMT

Connor McDavid and other NHL stars reacted to their player ratings in the upcoming NHL 25 video game from EA Sports.

In a promotional video, McDavid and fellow league superstars Nathan MacKinnon, Leon Draisaitl, Auston Matthews, and Sidney Crosby revealed their overall ratings.

Edmonton Oilers captain McDavid laughed when he saw his 97 overall rating matched his jersey number. However, he did have one question about the ratings system:

"Why does the NHL not do 99s?"

In sports video games, a 99 overall rating is the highest possible and reserved for the very best players. McDavid noted how the NFL games hand out 99 ratings, so he was curious why the NHL series shies away from that distinction:

"I mean, of course, growing up as a kid, I was always getting, you know, the newest NHL game and seeing who was the highest ranked," McDavid said.

While he appreciated matching his 97-jersey number, the Oilers captain was hoping to get a 99 rating.

MacKinnon (96 overall) and Draisaitl (95 overall) didn't complain about their high ratings though:

"I guess guys want to feel respected, I see that more with the NBA guys get pretty upset... Okay, 96, I figured I'd go up one from last year. Still room for improvement, but definitely happy with that.” MacKinnon said.

"Hopefully you guys were generous with us..." "95" I can't, I can't complain, I don't know what to say, it's good," Draisaitl said.

Matthews added that he was happy to move up from a 93 rating two years ago to 95 this year:

"If I was 93 the year before, I don't know maybe 94, 95... 95, I'll take it, yeah. It's better than 93, I guess," Matthews said.

Meanwhile, Crosby was somewhat surprised when he saw his 94 rating:

"This is my EA NHL 25 rating – 94... I had a good last year but, yeah, I'm not sure what that extra, extra one point was to give me up," Crosby said.

McDavid and MacKinnon hold the top two spots as expected, while Draisaitl slots in at No. 5 with Matthews behind him at No. 6. Crosby lands in at No. 9 overall.

Fans react to Connor McDavid & other top center’s NHL 25 ratings

NHL 25's top five center ratings have sparked heated debate among fans. Some praised the ratings, while others questioned the criteria.

One fan questioned what benchmarks a player needs to hit to earn a 99 rating, feeling the number was arbitrary:

"McDavid asked the right question, you tell us what a 99 is. I believe it's rather arbitrary but that's another discussion".

Another fan wrote:

"Most awkward video ever."

Here are some more reactions from fans on X/Twitter:

"Nate Mackinnon couldn’t be more right about NBA players," one fan said.

"It's fun seeing their personalities shine a bit," another fan wrote.

"Having ratings that high just makes the game unplayable. I don't play the stupid pay to win game modes," one fan commented.

"They do not care," another fan said.

The new NHL game ratings generate buzz every year. Hardcore hockey fans are eagerly awaiting NHL 25's release on Oct. 4.