It doesn't take a video game to tell Boston Bruins fans that David Pastrnak is alone at the top when it comes to the team's skill level. However, that doesn't stop the sting of seeing it on paper as the new EA Sports NHL video game begins releasing its player ratings, with the game set for release in early September.
The top of the forward rankings is set in #NHL27 🔥
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) August 18, 2026
99 OVR Connor McDavid leads the Centers.
Nikita Kucherov leads the Right Wings at 97.
Kirill Kaprizov on top the Left Wings at 94.
NHL 27 Ratings Hub: https://t.co/DEa60O3Q2G pic.twitter.com/QqB5sPI6wg
Pastrnak came in at second on the list of right wingers and was also second on the list of wingers overall, as Kirill Kaprizov was the top-rated left winger at 94 overall. Pastrnak landed at 95 overall, two points behind Nikita Kucherov. Ironically, that ranking is becoming a bit of a consensus, as this was also the order in the NHL Network's recent positional rankings.
Pastrnak's ranking is also impressive because of the company he keeps amongst the entire forward group. One of the new features of the game is the "99 Club", which has players ranked as high as possible at 99 overall for the first time in many years, with Connor McDavid being the only forward at the game's launch to get that honor.
The next closest is Nathan MacKinnon in a tie with Kucherov at 97 overall, while Leon Draisaitl is right behind them at 96. The interesting ranking for Bruins fans come with Pastrnak being in the next tier in a tie at 95 with Sidney Crosby, Macklin Celebrini, and Aleksander Barkov.
The downfall of David Pastrnak's NHL 27 rating
It's great to see Pastrnak featured among the league's best, but its fitting that there are no other Bruins logos visible on the graphic. It would come as a surprise to no one that Pastrnak is the only Boston player featured here, with Morgan Geekie being the next rated forward at 87.
The rise of Geekie is interesting, with newcomer JJ Peterka coming in just behind him at 86. The final two Bruins to round out the group of players with their ratings already released and an owner of the "X-Factor" feature was Pavel Zacha at 85 overall and Elias Lindholm at 84.
Bruins fans who also happen to be gamers might have a difficult time selecting the team in online versus this season. Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman will likely get a decent ranking to give the virtual team a dynamic top-three, but unless you're good on the sticks, the offense might not be able to keep pace.
Add us as a preferred source on Google