If the calendar is approaching September, you know that hockey season isn’t far away. If it’s video game hockey you’re after, the wait is even shorter. NHL 26, the latest edition of Electronic Arts NHL series, is set to release this month. The Deluxe Edition will be available on September 5, followed by the Standard Edition a week later.
As the game gets closer to release, EA revealed the top 10 highest rated players from each NHL team’s roster, including the Philadelphia Flyers.
So, who are the Flyers’ top ten roster players in the video game world? Let’s find out.
A Three Way Tie For Best Flyer on NHL 26
As a team that came up well short of a playoff berth last season, it wasn’t expected that the Flyers were going to have anyone on their roster with vaunted 90-plus ratings.
However, they had three players who earned 88 ratings: defenseman Travis Sanheim, right wing Travis Konecny, and second year forward Matvei Michkov.
All three players were in the game’s top 100 with Sanheim at #80, Konecny at #88, and the Russian winger right behind him at #89.
Michkov’s Rise To Stardom
Michkov’s mercurial rise after leading the 2024-25 NHL Rookie class in goal scoring with 26 certainly put him on the radar for a relatively high rating. He also impressed in several other categories, while finishing fourth overall in the Calder Trophy voting for Rookie of the Year.
The game’s developers recognized his superior passing ability with a 92 rating, trailing only Konency at 93.
The expectations are that Michkov will continue to grow in his second full NHL season as he rounds out his game even further. It wouldn’t be a stretch to see him as the Flyers first 90-plus rated player since Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek in NHL 17.
Konecny A Top NHL 26 Player, Can He Stay There?
Despite a trying year for Konecny at times, NHL 26 still sees the Flyers leading scorer with 76 points as the best forward the team has in several categories. He tops the team in deking (91) and passing, while tied with Sanheim for acceleration at 90.
Konency’s willingness to engage in the dirty areas of the ice will always make him a favorite for the game’s players, but it is far to ask whether we’re seeing his peak level at this point or if there is another level he can get to in his game.
Sanheim’s The Rightful Top Defender
Sanheim is a locked in commodity for the Flyers defense. A member of Canada’s 4 Nations Tournament team with an invitation to their 2026 Olympic camp, he’s emerged in the prime of his career as a top pairing defenseman, so his rating is well earned.
Considering how he started his tenure under John Tortorella, his “trial by fire” under the former head coach shaped him into that.
As the Flyers primary all situations blueliner, Sanheim won the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the team’s best. He has seen a steady uptick in his ice-time, usage, and takeaways with 51. With a 90 rating in acceleration and speed, this reflects his ability to lead an up-ice charge when needed.
Paired with Cam York (84 overall), they form the Flyers shut down pairing and how they should be used late in games.
Tippett and Zegras in “Prove It” Mode
The players whose ratings most reflect their current NHL statuses are Owen Tippett (84 overall) and newly acquired Trevor Zegras (83).
Tippett is unquestionably one of the team’s streakiest players. When he is on, he is one of the toughest players to handle with the puck, bringing to mind Voracek at his best. His Acceleration (94) and Speed (91) ratings are the best on the team in the game. The key will be consistency in maintaining the high points of his game.
Zegras’ 83 rating reflects his overall talent, but also recognizes the struggles he’s faced. Zegras has been out of Anaheim’s in the lineup due to various injuries. When healthy, he has been adapting his skill level to become more well rounded. Uncertainty over whether he will play center or wing with the Flyers might also be a contributing factor to his rating. The former Ducks’ acceleration, speed, and deking (all 88’s) will have great use when the team is on the power-play.
The Other Top NHL 26 Flyers
Center (and team captain) Sean Couturier enters NHL 26 with an 85 rating, good for the fourth highest overall rating on the team.
Even with only 45 points in 79 games played, his advanced defensive game, combined with his face-off ability are what keeps his rating in a respectful range. His best deployment will be as a late game piece when protecting a one goal lead.
The Flyers relentless shut down forward pairing of Noah Cates and Bobby Brink both clock in with 83 overall ratings. Cates is an especially useful forward, but his acceleration and speed ratings (both 81) will limit his offensive utility. Especially when gamers have the option of Zegras as an offensive weapon.
Defenseman Nick Seeler is the team’s third highest rated defender with an 82 overall. Even with speed limitations, expect he’ll have high shot blocking capability be a solid second pairing partner for an offensively bent player like Jamie Drysdale.
On a championship level team, Seeler is probably a third pairing defenseman, but the Flyers have a while before they get to that point.
