Reviewing the Calgary Flames NHL 26 overall ratings

Two days ago, EA Sports released its early access to the new instalment in the NHL franchise. NHL 26 reveals a new batch of overalls for every team, including the Calgary Flames. So, I’ll give a brief breakdown of my thoughts and opinions.

Forwards

• Nazem Kadri – 87 OVR
• Jonathan Huberdeau – 86 OVR
• Mikael Backlund – 84 OVR
• Blake Coleman – 84 OVR
• Matt Coronato – 84 OVR
• Morgan Frost – 83 OVR
• Yegor Sharangovich – 83 OVR
• Connor Zary – 82 OVR
• Joel Farabee – 81 OVR
• Martin Pospisil – 80 OVR
• Ryan Lomberg – 79 OVR
• Adam Klapka – 78 OVR
• Justin Kirkland – 78 OVR

How do the forward ratings look?

Honestly, I don’t believe there are any big issues with the Flames’ forward ratings this year. No one appears to be super under- or over-valued, and the only changes I would make would be minor tweaks.

For starters, I do think that an 84 for Mikael Backlund is a tad high for this point in his career, and an 83 would be more fair. Connor Zary is a tiny bit underrated here. I’d give a boost up to 83, as it makes sense to me for him to be the same rating as Morgan Frost and Yegor Sharangovich. Other than those two small changes, the forward group looks fairly rated.

Defencemen

• MacKenzie Weegar – 88 OVR
• Rasmus Andersson – 88 OVR
• Kevin Bahl – 84 OVR
• Zayne Parekh – 80 OVR
• Brayden Pachal – 80 OVR
• Jake Bean – 80 OVR
• Daniil Miromanov – 79 OVR
• Joel Hanley – 79 OVR

Do the defencemen’s ratings seem fair?

Similar to the forwards, there are no major changes I would make to the Flames’ defencemen ratings. However, the number of alterations I’d make is for sure higher.

First off, MacKenzie Weegar has started to get a little bit more respect with his 88 rating, but I would still raise it up to an 89. As for Rasmus Andersson, he didn’t have the best 2024–25 season, but he kept his NHL 25 rating. I would for sure drop him to at least an 87. Kevin Bahl had a great first year with the Flames, but an 84 seems a little high, and I would make the change down to an 83.

I love Zayne Parekh, but an 80 seems much for a guy with a single NHL game under his belt. It’s a little bit of a difficult situation because you don’t want him to start behind Daniil Miromanov or Brayden Pachal and get sent back to juniors by the computer. Realistically, I think a 79 or 78 is more justifiable for now, and when he makes the team, maybe give him the boost back up.

Finally, Jake Bean sits one overall too high, and a 79 appears more just. Five changes seems like a ton, but considering they’re mainly a one overall alteration, the ratings for the Flames’ defenceman aren’t done terribly.

Goalies

• Dustin Wolf – 87 OVR
• Devin Cooley – 76 OVR

Would anything change for the goalie ratings?

In NHL 26, the Flames’ goalies are rated pretty acceptably. An 87 overall for a goalie with one season seems a bit high, but considering just how good Dustin Wolf was and all the other rookie ratings, I’m fine with that rating.

Devin Cooley’s rating of 76 is fair for now, honestly. With the high chance that he’ll be the Flames backup, I would probably give a one or two overall boost to make him NHL calibre, but it is not the end of the world.

Overall thoughts

EA Sports did a pretty good job with the Calgary Flames’ ratings this year. There’s nothing that’s too outlandish, whether it be high or low. I’d only make a handful of subtle tweaks that honestly come down to personal preference.

What are your thoughts on the ratings? What would you change?