Who Will Be the NHL 27 Cover Athlete? Top Predictions & Community Picks

Every year, hockey fans and gamers alike eagerly await the announcement of the next face of EA Sports' flagship hockey franchise. The debate over who will be the NHL 27 cover athlete is already heating up, with speculation running rampant across social media and gaming forums. Choosing the NHL 27 cover athlete isn't just about who had the most points last season; it is a reflection of the sport's current culture, marketable stars, and future direction.

Whether EA decides to highlight a rising rookie, honor a seasoned veteran, or introduce a unique dual-cover format, the decision sets the tone for the entire game. With placeholder pages and pre-order buttons reportedly appearing on digital storefronts, the official reveal is imminent. Let's dive into the top predictions, community reports, and wildcard candidates for this year's highly anticipated release.

The Frontrunners: Youth Movement Leads the Way

EA Sports has a recent track record of putting young, dynamic talent on their covers. If they continue this trend for the NHL 27 cover athlete, a few names immediately jump to the top of the list. The youth movement has completely taken over the NHL, and marketing these fresh faces is a proven strategy for video game developers.

Macklin Celebrini

Macklin Celebrini is a massive favorite among the community. Having already featured prominently in last year's "Be a Pro" mode, Celebrini is highly marketable and incredibly popular online. After an explosive sophomore season boasting 115 points and 45 goals, many fans view him as the next generational talent. As the San Jose Sharks continue to improve, putting Celebrini on the box feels like a natural progression for EA.

Matthew Scheifer

Another standout candidate is Matthew Scheifer. Widely regarded as the best young defenseman under 23, Scheifer recently captured the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie. His incredible story as a first-overall draft pick makes him a prime candidate. EA loves to feature players early in their careers, making Scheifer a highly logical choice to represent the next generation of blue-liners.

The Legends and Stanley Cup Champions

Sometimes, the best choice for the NHL 27 cover athlete is an established legend or a player coming off a monumental championship run. Rewarding career milestones or playoff heroism is a great way to capture the emotional highs of the previous hockey season.

Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby is arguably the greatest player of his generation, yet he has notoriously never graced an EA Sports NHL cover. Why? Community reports suggest he is incredibly superstitious and refuses to alter his routine. However, with retirement looming on the horizon and his numbers remaining elite, fans are hoping he finally changes his mind to cement his video game legacy before he hangs up his skates.

Jordan Staal

For a more recent achievement-based pick, look at Jordan Staal. As the captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, who recently hoisted the Stanley Cup, Staal's resume is impeccable. Adding a Conn Smythe Trophy to his name makes him a highly realistic, albeit less flashy, option. Fans have heavily requested Staal in online comment sections, proving that championship glory still resonates with the player base.

Community Favorites and Wildcards

Beyond the obvious choices, the community has rallied behind several wildcard players to become the NHL 27 cover athlete. These are players who might not have a Stanley Cup or a Calder Trophy yet, but they possess the flair and fan backing necessary to move copies off the shelves.

Lane Hutson

Montreal Canadiens fans are vocal about their desire to see Lane Hutson on the box. The 22-year-old offensive defenseman has been a machine, putting up 66 and 78 points in his last two seasons. EA frequently targets American players on Canadian teams to maximize cross-border marketability. Hutson fits this mold perfectly, bridging the gap between two massive hockey markets.

Matthew Boldy

Matthew Boldy of the Minnesota Wild is another rising star with significant community backing. The Wild are a team on the rise, and Boldy's dynamic scoring ability provides perfect action shots for game art. A cover featuring a signature Boldy celebration would look fantastic on store shelves.

Moritz Seider

While perhaps a long shot for the primary North American cover, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider is a fan-favorite. Some community mock-ups even feature him wearing the captain's "C" amid trade rumors surrounding Dylan Larkin. Seider would make an excellent candidate for a European regional variant, which EA has utilized in the past.

Could We See a Goaltender or a Sibling Duo?

It has been a long time since a goalie was featured as the marquee star. If EA decides to break the mold for the NHL 27 cover athlete, Andrei Vasilevskiy is the clear frontrunner. Coming off a spectacular 2025-2026 season where he secured the Vezina Trophy, Vasilevskiy could provide a classic, action-packed cover reminiscent of the iconic Martin Brodeur days. A raw, in-game save photo would be a refreshing departure from the highly curated studio shots of recent years.

Alternatively, EA could lean into a family dynamic. They previously featured the Tkachuk and Hughes brothers. This year, there is an incredible storyline brewing in Detroit with the Compher siblings. JT Compher plays for the Red Wings, while Jesse Compher plays for Detroit's PWHL franchise. Featuring both siblings could be a brilliant marketing move to highlight the growing integration of the PWHL into the mainstream gaming space.

The Meme Pick: Rod Brind'Amour?

No discussion of the NHL 27 cover athlete would be complete without mentioning the viral community jokes. Recently, a popular Facebook post from Hockey Feed suggested that if Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour isn't on the cover, fans will "quit video games forever."

The post featured a famously intense, shirtless photo of "Bod Brind'Amour," joking that he looks ready to lace up his skates and center the third line. While it is obviously a joke, it highlights how much personality and internet culture drive the conversation around the game's marketing. Sometimes, the community just wants to have fun with the speculation.

What to Expect from EA Sports

As we wait for official news, it's worth keeping an eye on the official EA Sports NHL website for pre-order details and official reveals. The website has reportedly gone live with placeholder pages on PlayStation and Xbox storefronts, meaning the official NHL 27 cover athlete announcement is just around the corner.

Whether EA swerves us with a surprise veteran pick or sticks to the youth movement with Celebrini or Scheifer, the debate is half the fun. Until the official trailer drops, fans will continue to create mock-ups, debate stats, and champion their favorite players.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will the NHL 27 cover athlete be officially announced? While an exact date hasn't been confirmed, placeholder pages and pre-order buttons have already appeared on digital storefronts like PlayStation and Xbox. Historically, EA makes their official cover announcements during the late summer months.

Why hasn't Sidney Crosby ever been on an NHL game cover? According to player experience and community reports, Sidney Crosby is deeply superstitious. He prefers not to alter his routine or risk any perceived "cover curses," leading him to decline offers to be the face of the game throughout his legendary career.

Could a PWHL player be the NHL 27 cover athlete? It is highly possible! EA has been actively expanding women's hockey integration in their recent titles. A dual cover featuring an NHL player alongside a PWHL star—such as the Compher siblings—would be a fantastic way to represent the entire sport.

Who is the community favorite for the cover? Macklin Celebrini is currently dominating community discussions due to his stellar sophomore season and high marketability. However, Matthew Scheifer and Lane Hutson are also heavily requested by fans of their respective franchises.