Electronic Artsare at the forefront of sports gaming and have been for over forty years. Electronic Arts dominates the sports gaming genre with juggernaut titles such asNBA 2K,Madden,FIFA, theNeed for Speedfranchise, andNHL. These titles are constantly updated with current rosters, exciting new features, and smoother graphics than previous installments.
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NHL 23was released recently with several new features and abilities in-game, along with the top teams of theNational Hockey League. Each team is represented gracefully down to individual play styles, strategies, and overall playing power. Players can choose from over thirty teams in the United States and Canada. Each team has a thorough team rating that sets them apart from the rest and represents their skill on the ice. Here are some of the best teams to play inNHL23based on team rating.
Updated on July 29, 2025, by C.M Edwards:Ice Hockey fans who want to experience the thrill and the rush of shifting across the ice, taking on some of the best teams in the NHL, must grab NHL 23. The latest release in Electronic Art’s sports series', NHL 23, brings all the joys of competitive play to the home of thousands. NHL 23 brings multiple game modes, all teams from NHL, AHL, and even national teams. In addition, NHL 23 has begun releasing planned content, such as the inclusion of the sensational Mighty Ducks from the renowned film starring Emilio Estevez. NHL 23 also has a string of prized tournaments throughout the country where the top players in the world may compete and show off their skills. In NHL 23, Players can choose from the star-studded roster of athletes and dominate the ice with special talents and skills. Each team in NHL 23 is expertly crafted and modeled as close to their real-life counterpart as possible to give players a true sense of their style of play. Here are more of thebest teams in NHL 23.
9Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins is a strong team with an overall rating of eighty-six inNHL 23.Their colors are black, gold, and white. The team is led by coach Mike Sulivan, and team captain Sidney Crosby. Crosby has an overall rating of ninety-three and is a high-rated player in the game with good puck control skills, and speed. Players will have a wide variety of strategies available thanks to the Penguin’s versatile roster.
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The Pittsburgh Penguins have a strong offensive anddefensive playstyle that can be very useful in controlling the ice and making plays that lead to more goals on average. Players who enjoy well-rounded teams should go for the Penguins for their unique roster and strong average.
8Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators wear blue, gold, and sometimes white colors and brandish a sabertooth tiger as their mascot. The Predators have an overall rating of eighty-six inNHL 23with strong defensive power and team goal synergy.
The Nashville Predators are coached by John Hynes and led by Roman Josi, a strong left defenseman with an overall rating of ninety. Rosi possesses above-average skating and puck-control skills and can take full advantage of the team’s abilities. The Predators have great chemistry on the ice and possess strong players who have a wide range of abilities useful to manyplayers who like to play oppressively.
7Calgary Flames
The Flames are a highly decorated team with multiple championship wins under their belt. The Flames wear red, white, and yellow colors and have a flaming “C” as their team brand. InNHL 23, the Calgary Flames have an overall training of eighty-seven, having high marks in offensive and defensive teamwork.
The team’s captain position is currently vacant and is completely overseen by coach Daryl Sutter. Regardless, the Calgary Flames are still considered a top-performing team and have a great play style to utilize on the ice.
6Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs is the proud team of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They were renamed after the Toronto ST. Patricks in 1927. The Maple Laves sport blue and white jerseys this season and have a total of six division championships under their belt.
InNHL 23, the Toronto Maple Leafs excel in offensive and defensive playstyles, having a rating of ninety-two in both areas. The head coach of the team is Sheldon Keefe, who has served as the team’s coach for four years, and the team’s captain is John Travis, six feet and two hundred pounds and a first-round overall draft pick in his debut. Travis has had a spectacular time, with the Maple Leafs having had four playoff visits since joining the team.
5Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators wear blue, gold, and white jerseys with aPokemon-type logoof a saber-toothed tiger. Based out of Nashville, Tennessee, the Predators have competed in the National Hockey League under the name since being founded in 1998. The team’s captain is Roman Josi, a highly celebrated defensive player who became the first Swiss player to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy.
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Since joining the Predators, Josi has led the team to the playoffs eight times. The Nashville Predators have a solid overall team score in Offense and Goaltending but major in their defensive power having a score of ninety-two. The Predators have won two division championships, one conference championship, and one president’s trophy.
4Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche is an extremely strong team inNHL 23with an overall ranking of ninety-one. The Avalanche have blue, burgundy, and silver jerseys and were founded in 1972. In the game, the Colorado Avalanche excel at defensive play having a powerhouse rating of ninety-seven.
At the same time, their other offensive and goalkeeping scores are average across the board for top teams in the game. Gabriel Landeskog is the team’s captain, playing the left-wing position. He has led the team exceptionally as the Avalanche took home the Stanley Cup in the recent season playoffs. However, the team’s skill crosses over in the game as all opponents will need a chisel to break through the Avalanche’s formations.
3Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruinsare one of the most notable teams in the National Hockey league, easily identified by their white, black, and gold jerseys. The Bruins are an aggressive team with an equally bold style of play inNHL 23but are a solid all-rounder type of team in the game. The Bruins have an individual team score of ninety-one, majoring in defensive skill with a score of ninety-three.
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The team’s legacy is star-studded, with multiple division championships and six Stanly Cup wins. The team’s captain is Patrice Bergeron, who plays center, being with the Boston Bruins for over a decade.
2Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes come in with a mighty ninety-two team rating inNHL 23.The team is strong across the board but majors in offense with a peak score of ninety-four. The team dawns bright red and white, or sometimes black, jerseys that create a powerful presence on the ice.
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Players will have no trouble leaving any team in the dust struggling to get their footing. Jordan Stall plays center and serves as the team’s captain. Having a strong overall record, Stall succeeds at leading the Hurricanes and oppressing the other team with his presence. The history of the Hurricanes has had a second coming in recent seasons, with the team securing a metropolitan championship for the first time in the team’s career.
1Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning is an exceptionalNHL hockey teamthat consists of top-tier team chemistry, strategy, and awareness on the ice. Having recently won back-to-back Stanley Cup trophies before being dethroned by the Colorado Avalanche, the Lightning are a force to be reckoned with in and out ofNHL 23.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have above-average goaltending, offensive, and defensive capabilities, all ranking over ninety in their scores. The team’s captain, Steve Stamkos, has an overall rating of ninety and doubles in both the Right Wing and Center positions. The blue and white jerseys of the Lightning glide across the ice with confidence and aggression as the total package for players seeking to tear apart opponent formations as they enjoy NHL 23 onXbox Game Pass.
NHL 23is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X.
