Pavel Datsyuk Return to NHL 19 Teased, EA Asks for Updated Player Rating
In recent hockey news, a Pavel Datsyuk return to the NHL could take place. It would mark the first time the Russian star plays in the league over three years. The mention of the two-time Stanley Cup champion making his return have sent his fans into excitement over the possibilities. It also has EA Sports, makers of the popular NHL 19 title, asking what his rating will be in their game.
Pavel Datsyuk brings stellar skills & resume
On Wednesday, the EA Sports NHL Twitter posed that question for followers to consider. If Pavel Datsyuk returns to the National Hockey League, what should his in-game rating be? After all, he’s a two-time champ, four-time Lady Byng and three-time Frank J. Selke trophy winner. He hasn’t appeared in a hockey title for the past three years since he’s been off playing for SKA Saint Petersburg in his native Russia.
Pavel Datsyuk last appeared in the NHL 16 title with a 93 overall rating. He had the same number in the NHL 15 title after boasting a 95 OVR in NHL 14. However, a lot has changed in terms of the game since then, and Datsyuk is a bit older. Now age 40, one has to think he may have a rating in the mid-to-high 80s in an NHL 19 or NHL 20 video game.
That’s what the majority of commenters seem to feel on EA’s tweet. An 85 or 86 comes up quite often for a Datsyuk rating that gamers are suggesting.
He could be second SKA player to make a big return to NHL
Datsyuk wouldn’t be the first NHL player to leave for SKA Saint Petersburg and return to the NHL again. Ilya Kovalchuk did the same, as he left the NHL back in July of 2013 and returned to the Los Angeles Kings last June. The leftwing played 64 games this past season, tallying 16 goals and 18 assists. However, Kovalchuk is 36 and may have more hockey left to give than his older teammate from Saint Petersburg.
In the NHL 19 video game, Ilya Kovalchuk carries an 85 overall rating. As of right now, gamers can use Kovalchuk as a member of the Los Angeles Kings roster in games including Shootout mode. To use Pavel Datsyuk would require creating him as a player or hoping for a special Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) card.
Datsyuk spent the entirety of his NHL career playing for the Detroit Red Wings. So it will be interesting to see if he returns there, or another team opts for his services. Based on Kovalchuk’s numbers, we’re expecting a similar rating for the former Red Wings star. Either way, NHL 19 or NHL 20 will benefit from a Pavel Datsyuk return as gamers will once again be able to use his star skill set in the game.
Get more of the latest NHL 19 news here.