NHL 24 Cover Athlete predictions
The NHL 24 Cover Athlete reveal is a special milestone for the next edition of the EA Sports hockey game series. Not only do fans get to see who will be the face of the new game, but it also marks the starting point for the release of a vast variety of new information fans will find out about NHL 24 in the coming weeks.
Though we’re already well into the month of August, there’s been no news yet on the NHL 24 release date and early access period, nor on its new cover athlete(s). However, while we wait for the first wave of news surrounding NHL 24, we at VideoGamer decided to cast some predictions on who we think will make it on the cover this year.
NHL 24 Cover Athlete predictions
NHL 23 made some huge strides last year, with the biggest consisting of having for the very first time a Women’s professional hockey player featured on the cover of the game. Alongside Anaheim Ducks winger Trevor Zegras, NHL 23 had Women’s Canadian National Team star Sarah Nurse on the cover as well.
Whether NHL 24 will follow the same format after last year’s historic cover is something that is still unclear. Despite all of this uncertainty, we at VideoGamer chose to provide our Top 3 predictions for which NHL players we think have the best odds to land on the cover this year.
Though there has been no news or updates about whether there will be a women’s hockey talent back on the cover (exclusively or not), it’s just about a guarantee that an NHL star will be on it. Here’s a look at the three NHL stars we think have the best chance at making it on the cover of NHL 24.
Seeing how elite and dominant Connor McDavid was yet again over the 2023 regular season, it’s only fair to have him on our predictions list. McDavid, who’s 26-years-old, led the league in goals (64), assists (89), power play assists (50) and finished second in power play goals (21). Seriously, what can’t he do. And to add to it, McDavid hasn’t been on an NHL cover since NHL 18. Considering it has been a little while since the star man was on the cover for the first time, it wouldn’t come to a surprise if the 2023 Hart Memorial Trophy Winner was back for a second appearance this year.
2. Linus Ullmark (G) – Bruins
A goalie as the cover athlete?! Yup! Linus Ullmark was very special this season, so much so that he won both the William M. Jennings Trophy and the Vezina Trophy. Leading all goalkeepers in goals against average (1.89), save percentage (.938), while tying Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev in first with wins (40), the Bruins were the best team in hockey over the 2023 season for good reason. And having the best goalie in the league certainly helped. Moreover, NHL hasn’t had a goalie featured on the cover of its game since Martin Brodeur who was featured on it for NHL 14. Though that is quite the legend to follow suit, Ullmark did have a historic season after all, and it would be fitting to have him on the cover.
The Devils have been a team in limbo for quite some time, and finally last season, showed everyone just how dangerous they can be. Offensively, the Devils are led by their 22-year-old star Jack Hughes, who delivered one huge breakout performance to help lead the Devils back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-18 season. With 43 goals and 56 assists to his name, Hughes highlighted his greatness in a big way and put forth a game changing performance for the New Jersey Devils this season. Seeing NHL 23 honored another youngster in Trevor Zegras last year, having Hughes on the cover for NHL 24 would certainly be reflective of that new cover athlete trend in a great way.
