EA Sports just dropped the top 10 player ratings for each NHL team in their upcoming NHL 27, and for the Philadelphia Flyers, it’s an absolute head-scratcher that leans heavily into a frustrating status quo. Folks, these ratings are questionable, and honestly, there’s an insane snub staring us right in the face that we need to talk about. After the Flyers *finally* broke into the playoffs and proved they’re a team to watch with a killer mix of young talent and prime-time veterans, you’d think the game creators would actually acknowledge their successful 2025-26 season. But nope, it seems like they’re living in a different universe.
Sanheim’s 88 Is a Total Gut Punch, While Konecny’s Makes Sense
Let’s kick things off with the absolute travesty that is Travis Sanheim’s 88 overall rating in NHL 27. Eighty-eight! Want to know what his rating was in NHL 26? Yep, you guessed it: 88. Can you believe this?! Sanheim had an *outstanding* year, cementing himself as a top-pairing defenseman. We’re talking about a phenomenal two-way blueliner who consistently does all the little things right, rocking impressive physical tools while he’s at it. The dude made Team Canada for the 2026 Winter Olympics and played pretty darn well there, leading his blue line to the playoffs with consistent, top-tier play. For all that, he gets the exact same number? It’s an insult, plain and simple. Shouldn’t a guy who elevated his game and delivered a playoff run at least get a single point bump? Anywhere? It just feels wrong.
On the flip side, we’ve got Travis Konecny also landing at an 88 overall, the same as his NHL 26 rating. And honestly, this one actually makes sense. Konecny had a bit of a stale season. His production rate was basically the same, even though he was playing 90 fewer seconds on average per game. Sure, he scored more goals and had a better on-ice impact, but overall, everything just leveled out. So, keeping his rating steady at 88? Yeah, that feels right. No arguments there.
Zegras Gets His Due, But Michkov’s Drop Stings
Now for some good news, because EA Sports actually paid attention on this one! Trevor Zegras, after a couple of seasons at 82 and 83 overall where he seemed to fall from grace, gets a huge four-point bump to an 87 overall. This is where you can almost pat EA Sports on the back and say, “Good job, you actually watch the National Hockey League!” His move to Philadelphia clearly rejuvenated his career, and now he’s rightfully recognized as one of the team’s best forwards and a legit top-six threat in the game. That’s a clear win for Zegras and for anyone who saw his resurgence.
But then we hit Matvei Michkov, and it’s an immediate “oof.” His NHL 27 rating is 86 overall, a noticeable drop from the 88 he earned after his incredible rookie year. The source points to a “disappointing sophomore season,” and that’s reflected in this rating dip. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a player with such high expectations, and it shows that one off-year can really hit those virtual numbers hard.
So what does this all mean for us? While we wait impatiently for *any* pro hockey on our screens, NHL 27 gives us a peek into how the virtual world views our teams. With the game dropping on September 11, it’s clear these ratings are going to spark some serious debates. Let’s hope the real season brings more justice than these initial ratings have for some of these players!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Broad Street Hockey.
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