The cover of the EA Sports NHL franchise has been iconic in the hockey world for a long time. It combines the love of gaming with hockey for a lot of folks across the world.
Being on the cover of this game has been known as a high honor over the years. There have been some legendary players to be the face of the franchise for a year.
On Monday, the next player to don the cover was announced. Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers is the one who was selected. Although there were a lot of good options, it makes sense to put Tkachuk in this position.
Since being traded to the Florida Panthers, few players have impacted the league more than Matthew Tkachuk. He’s been to three straight Stanley Cup Finals, Florida has won the last two, he’s had a ton of wonderful moments in the regular season, and he made a major impact in the Four Nations Face-Off. The NHL has been more entertaining thanks to Tkachuk being in it.
Chicago fans became used to having one of their guys on the cover now and again during their glory days. Jonathan Toews was on it twice, and Patrick Kane was on it once. However, it’s been a long time now.
If a Blackhawks player were to be on it any time soon, there is one clear answer. Connor Bedard is one of the NHL’s brightest young stars playing for a team in a major market. EA Sports loves using guys like that for the cover.
Bedard has lots of fans in Western Canada as well because he's from Vancouver. That would be welcomed by the folks there as well as in Chicago.
When the Blackhawks selected Bedard first overall, he already came with star power. He was one of the most hyped up prospects in the history of the sport. His play still needs development, but he’s been one of the best teenagers in modern NHL history, suggesting the best is yet to come.
As he continues to improve and break out in the NHL, he will become an even better candidate to be on the video game cover. The former Calder Trophy winner would be a great fit to lead the charge for the next generation.
