NHL 23 is back again with all 32 teams – plus a lot more – for you to play as in Play Now, Season, Playoff, or Franchise modes. You can also play on any of the 32 teams in Be a Pro. After a thrilling 2022 season finished with Tampa Bay’s quest for a three-peat thwarted by reigning Stanley Cup holders Colorado, it’s time to lace up the skates and return to the rink, at least virtually.
Below, you will find the top teams by overall rating in NHL 23. Each of the top teams represent the only teams rated 90 OVR at the time of early release launch (October 10); this also includes any player ratings listed. If you’re looking for a less challenging quest through Season, Playoff, or Franchise modes, then one of the below teams will surely make a difference and help you achieve all of your (virtual) Stanley Cup dreams.
1. Carolina Hurricanes (92 OVR)
Division: Metropolitan
2021-2022 Record: 54-20-8, 116 points (1st in Metropolitan; eliminated ins second round)
Best Players: Sebastian Aho (89 OVR), Andrei Svechnikov (89 OVR), Frederick Andersen (89 OVR)
Carolina enters the 2022-2023 season as a popular pick to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup at the end of the season and for good reason. Although Carolina is the only team featured without a single player rated 90 OVR or better, what they do have is a consistent number of highly rated players as their top seven are only separated by four points (85 to 89 OVR). Sebastian Aho (89 OVR) and Andre Svechnikov (89 OVR) lead the offense while Jaccob Slavin (87 OVR) leads the defense with Brent Burns and Brett Pesce (both 86 OVR). Frederick Andersen (89 OVR) is one of the highest rated goalies in the game, so you can be confident in allowing few goals.
The Hurricanes hope to build upon a disappointing second round elimination after amassing 116 points, third most behind Florida and Colorado. They finished first in the Metropolitan division and if the hype is any indication, should repeat on their way to a potential Stanley Cup victory.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning (92 OVR)
Division: Atlantic
2021-2022 Record: 51-23-8, 110 points (2nd in Atlantic; lost Stanley Cup Finals)
Best Players: Andrei Vasilevskiy (94 OVR), Victor Hedman (93 OVR), Nikita Kucherov (92 OVR)
Tampa Bay is in the midst of a mini-dynasty, particularly if they’re able to hoist the Stanley Cup at the end of the season for the third time in four seasons. The Lightning have a three-headed monster in NHL 23 with defenseman Victor Hedman (93 OVR), winger Nikita Kucherov (92 OVR), and center Steven Stamkos (90 OVR). Further, they have the best goalie in NHL 23 in Andrei Vasilevskiy (94 OVR), nearly impenetrable in goal.
Tampa Bay placed second in the Atlantic in 2021-2022 with 110 points. That didn’t prevent them from reaching the Stanely Cup Finals on what many saw as a predestined three-peat. Unfortunately for the Lightning and their supporters, they fell in six games to eventual champion Colorado.
3. Boston Bruins (91 OVR)
Division: Atlantic
2021-2022 Record: 51-26-5, 107 points (4th in Atlantic; eliminated in first round)
Best Players: Brad Marchand (91 OVR), David Pastrnak (91 OVR), Charlie McAvoy (89 OVR)
One of “The Original Six,” Boston has maintained a high level of play for most of the franchise’s history. In NHL 23, that’s reflected as the Bruins are one of four teams rated 91 OVR, only one point behind the two best teams in the game. They’re led by veteran Brad Marchand (91 OVR) and David Pastrnak (91 OVR) on the wings with Patrice Bergeron (89 OVR) at center. Charlie McAvoy (89 OVR) and Hampus Lindholm (86 OVR) man the defensive sides. Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark (both 85 OVR) can man the net.
Boston made the playoffs in 2021-2022, but were unceremoniously eliminated in the first round by Carolina. They hope to build upon their fourth place finish in the Atlantic (107 points) to set themselves up for what could be another Stanley Cup Finals victory.
4. Colorado Avalanche (91 OVR)
Division: Central
2021-2022 Record: 56-19-7, 119 points (1st in Central; won Stanley Cup Finals)
Best Players: Nathan MacKinnon (94 OVR), Cala Makar (94 OVR), Mikko Rantanen (91 OVR)
The defending Stanley Cup champion only trail Tampa Bay and Carolina by one point, indicating the Avalanche are primed for hockey to have yet another repeat champion. Colorado is led by two players who have the second-highest overall rating (94) in the game: Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. They trail only Connor McDavid (95 OVR). Makar won both the Norris Memorial Trophy (top defenseman) and Smyth Trophy (playoff Most Valuable Player) in 2021-2022, helping Colorado both appear in and win their first Stanley Cup Finals since 2001. However, they hope that Alexander Georgiev (84 OVR) can replace the departed Darcy Kuemper (86 OVR) in goal).
Colorado didn’t just win the Stanley Cup Finals in 2021-2022 as a team on a hot run – unless you count the entire season as a run. They won 56 games and amassed 119 points, second only to Florida in both categories. The Avalanche breezed through the playoffs, losing only four games total and sweeping the first round and Conference Finals en route to a 4-2 series victory over Tampa Bay to hoist the Stanley Cup.
5. Calgary Flames (90 OVR)
Division: Pacific
2021-2022 Record: 50-21-11, 111 points (1st in Pacific; eliminated in second round)
Best Players: Jonathan Huberdeau (92 OVR), Jacob Markstrom (90 OVR), Elias Lindholm (89 OVR)
Calgary is a team that looks to retain their position as best in the Pacific from the 2021-2022 season. They’re led by left winger Jonathan Huberdeau (92 OVR), who is joined by center and right winger Elias Lindholm (89 OVR( and center Nazem Kadri (89 OVR). They’re stout in goal with the presence of Jacob Markstrom (90 OVR), tied for the third-best goalie in the game behind Vasilevskiy (94 OVR) and Igor Shesterkin (92 OVR). The defense is manned by MacKenzie Weegar (86 OVR) on the left side and Rasmus Andersson (85 OVR) on the right.
Calgary finished first in the Pacific in 2021-2022 with 50 wins and 111 points. The won their first round matchup in six games against Dallas, but went out with a whimper to Edmonton in five games in the second round. They hope to improve and become the first Canadian team to win the ultimate series since 1993 – 30 years – under Adams Award winner Darryl Sutter.
6. Nashville Predators (90 OVR)
Division: Central
2021-2022 Record: 45-30-7, 97 points (5th in Central; eliminated in first round)
Best Players: Roman Josi (93 OVR), Filip Forsberg (89 OVR), Juuse Saros (89 OVR)
A team that many may be underestimating heading into 2022-2023, Nashville is trying to erase the sour ending to the 2022 playoffs with a better 2022-2023. They’re led by Roman Josi (93 OVR) at left defenseman with Dante Fabbro (83 OVR) on the right. Filip Forsberg (89 OVR) mans the left wing with center and left winger Matt Duchene (87 OVR) and center and right winger Mikael Granlund (85 OVR) on the offensive side with him. Jusse Saros (89 OVR) will allow few goals as one of the best goalies in the game.
The Predators finished with 45 wins and 97 points, enough to make the playoffs. However, they ran into the buzzsaw that was the 2021-2022 Colorado Avalanche in the first round. They were swept in four games with only one game within one goal and another within two goals; the other two games were blowouts of at least four goals.
7. New York Rangers (90 OVR)
Division: Metropolitan
2021-2022 Record: 52-24-6, 110 points (2nd in Metropolitan; eliminated in Conference Finals)
Best Players: Artemi Panarin (92 OVR), Igor Shesterkin (92 OVR), Adam Fox (90 OVR)
Another of “The Original Six,” the Rangers are trying to break their own championship drought that dates back to the Mark Messier-led 1994 title-winning team. They’re led by left winger Artemi Panarin (92 OVR), who is joined at center with Mika Zibanejad (88 OVR). The defense has Adam Fox (90 OVR), Jacob Trouba (85 OVR), and K’Andre Miller (83 OVR). Vezina Trophy winner Shesterkin (92 OVR) ranks only behind Vasilevskiy for goaltenders, so you can leave him in one-on-one situations with little fear.
The Ranger of New York finished with 52 wins and 110 points, but still only finished second in the Metropolitan division to Carolina’s 116 points. While they reached the Conference Finals, they lost in six games after having to slog through seven games in each of the first two rounds. In comparison, Tampa Bay – who beat them in the Conference Finals – only played eleven games in the first two rounds.
8. Toronto Maple Leafs (90 OVR)
Division: Atlantic
2021-2022 Record: 54-21-7, 115 points (2nd in Atlantic; eliminated in first round)
Best Players: Auston Matthews (94 OVR), Mitchell Marner (90 OVR), Morgan Rielly (88 OVR)
The third of “The Original Six” on the list, Toronto hopes to beat Calgary – and all of the other Canadian teams – to lifting the Stanley Cup. NHL 22 cover athlete Auston Matthews (94 OVR) – not to mention other notable awards such as the Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award – leads what hopes to be another successful team and individual season. He’s joined at the wings by Mitchell Marner (90 OVR) and William Nylander (87 OVR), with John Tavares (87 OVR) able to spell him at center. Ilya Samsonov (85 OVR) mans the net with defenders such as Morgan Rielly (88 OVR), Mark Giordano (84 OVR), Jake Muzzin (84 OVR), and T.J. Brodie (84 OVR) assisting in goal prevention.
The Maple Leafs won 54 games and 115 points, but finished second in the Atlantic to Presidents’ Trophy winner Florida (58 wins and 122 points). Unfortunately for Toronto, their torrid season ended at the hands of the then two-time defending champion Tampa Bay in seven games.
Now you know the best teams in NHL 23. The eight teams listed represent the only teams rated 90 OVR or better. Which team will be your preferred team to use in NHL 23?
Check out our article on all the NHL 23 team ratings.
Here is our list of the best NHL 23 defenders that will help you upgrade your defense.