The Stanley Cup playoffs are well under way, and hockey fans have only just recently been treated to news that many of the axed game modes from NHL 15 will be returning in this year’s NHL 16. With an official unveiling of the game now imminent, we can’t help but wonder which professional, puck paddling athlete will be gracing the cover of the new title.
With an ample amount of talent currently found across the entirety of the National Hockey League, it’s nearly impossible to determine which players will be considered for the cover spot. That said, we’ve compiled a list of 5 potential all-stars that are definitely in contention.
It’s likely that fans will once again be able to vote for which hockey player will be appearing on the cover. Still, we can’t help but think that these athletes have the best shot at making it. With that in mind, here’s our list of the top 5 candidates for the cover of NHL 16.
Pavel Datsyuk - Detroit Red Wings
Known for having some of the best puck handling skills in the league, if not history, Datsyuk has locked himself in as a future hall of famer. The Detroit Red Wings veteran has never played for another NHL team during his entire career, which means he’s been a Red Wing for a whopping 17 years. Currently boasting two Stanley Cup wins, it’s almost shocking that the longtime Detroit forward has yet to appear on the cover of any NHL title.
There are a number of up-and-comers that have been making a bigger impact in “the show” as of late, but Datsyuk is a legacy player that still manages to outplay some of the best and brightest in the league on a regular basis. Despite being in his mid-thirties, it’s his continued display of pure skill that makes the Russian hockey star an easy contender for the cover.
Vladimir Tarasenko - St. Louis Blues
Despite only playing three seasons in the National Hockey League, Tarasenko has managed to garner plenty of attention for his playing abilities. His latests feat (before his team was eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs) included a hat trick in the second game of St Louis’ series against the Minnesota Wild. All together, the young star managed to get six goals and one assist across the six game stretch before being forced to take up golf until the 2015-2016 season gets underway.
The future looks bright for the Blues’ forward, and his brief playoff run demonstrates that he can deliver under pressure. Accompanying this is the fact that he only just finished a career high season that resulted in 37 goals and 36 assists totalling 73 points in 77 games played. Suffice to say, Tarasenko would make for a great cover athlete.
John Tavares - New York Islanders
One of the best all around players in the NHL today, this forward has proven that he’s as much a goal scorer as he is a playmaker. Tavares, drafted first overall in 2009, has been a constant source of points for the New York Islanders in the years following, and has proven that he’s a capable leader as well – as he dons the ‘C’ whenever he steps onto the ice at the soon to be shuttered Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
With exemplary displays of leadership and talent, not to mention the player’s dedication to the team he plays for, there’s little debate that Tavares would be a solid cover candidate. Averaging 86 points across this past season, in which he played all 82 games, the skill of this particular player more than speaks for itself, and we’d be shocked if he didn’t make the cut.
P.K. Subban - Montreal Canadiens
As the only player on this list that’s positioned as a defenceman, P.K. Subban is still one of the most likely options when it comes down to deciding which athlete will be placed on the cover of NHL 16. As one of the best players currently found on the Montreal Canadiens roster, the skill set required to shine on one of the best teams currently in the NHL speaks volumes for P.K.’s calibre.
Despite playing defence, Subban has firmly established himself as a very offensive player. Racking up a total of 60 points in 82 games, 45 of which were assists, it’s made even more appropriate that Subban be considered since the athlete made it to the final two in last year’s cover vote – leading to Patrice Bergeron scoring the spot. Still, the Olympic gold medal and James Norris Memorial Trophy winner seems like a no-brainer.
Jamie Benn - Dallas Stars
Coming off of a career-high year, the captain of the Dallas Stars seems like one of the more obvious choices for cover athlete. Aside from topping the entire NHL in points this past season, Benn has proven to be one of the most solid players to be found on any team – often being heralded as one of the most underrated performers in the National Hockey League by a number of other players and critics.
With a whopping 87 points secured in 82 games in the 2014-2015 season, Jamie Benn is arguably the most deserving player featured on this list. Aside from the Olympic gold medal he secured during his time in Sochi, he’s also an Art Ross winner which only helps to further cement the young captain’s continuously growing legacy.
NHL 16 is scheduled to arrive this September for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
