With the release of NHL 21 coming and player ratings soon to be revealed, we take a look at some current rookies and how they could get a bump in their ratings for their sophomore season. Rookies, of course, are important to the success of any sport.

David Pastrnak – The Boston Bruins star was tied with Washington’s Alex Ovechkin for the most goals scored in the league with 48. However, Pastrnak also tallied 47 assists for a whopping 95 points in the latest season. That trails only our top choice for the NHL 21 cover star. Pastrnak, who was the 2020 All-Star Game MVP, would become the first Bruins player on the cover of the game since NHL 15 with Patrice Bergeron.

Carlson makes great sense as a cover athlete for NHL 21 because Washington finally won their first Stanley Cup less than two years ago. Carlson played a key role in the Capitals’ Cup run, racking up five goals and 20 points and leading the team with a whopping 26:14 average ice time in 25 postseason games. Carlson’s defensive game isn’t elite, but he possesses the offensive abilities that would make him an attractive EA Sports cover athlete. Over the last three seasons, not a single NHL defenseman has more points than John Carlson (213). EA hasn’t shied away from putting star offensive defenseman on their video game cover, including using P.K Subban as recently as 2019 and Dion Phaneuf back in 2009. Furthermore,You can buy Cheap NHL 21 Ultimate Team Coins at 5mmo.com by using the code “5MMO” for a 3% discount.

Hughes being such a valuable rookie this year isn’t a major jaw dropper, but the major draw dropper is that he is leading all rookies in scoring. I would have never guessed that one. The Vancouver Canucks has had some pretty good luck when it comes to rookies over the last couple years. They’ve gotten Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson and now Quinn Hughes. I think its safe to say that the Vancouver Canucks future is going to pretty set up for some time. Welcoming Quinn Hughes to a high overall in NHL 21 is a no-brainer.

Nathan MacKinnon – The Colorado Avalanche center racked up 38 goals and 58 assists in 69 games this season. For the 2020 NHL All-Star Game, the fans voted him as the captain of his respective team for the second-straight year. MacKinnon, a former No. 1 pick back in 2013, has blossomed during his time in the league but never appeared on the EA game cover. NHL 21 may be his time to shine for the video game.