About Current And Potential Ratings

Players will have two ratings: a Current Rating, and Potential Rating. For example:

Nico Hischier: 3+, F.

The first number is his Current Rating: a 3+ which is an offensive third line winger. The second symbol represents his peak potential/value. His is an F which is “franchise player”.

Here’s the rest:

F++. Top of the hockey world

These are players that are the best in the game at their position. Generally, there will be no more than one or two of these players in the league at a time per position.

Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Erik Karlsson, Carey Price

F+. The best of the elite

These are players that carry your franchise and you build around. They impact the game offensively (70+ points for forwards, 50+ for defensemen) and throughout their careers generally can handle defensive responsibility. Goaltenders require a long chain of successful seasons to earn this rank.

Tyler Seguin, Steven Stamkos, Duncan Keith, Cory Schneider

F. Franchise forward, defenseman, or goaltender

Similar to F+, these players are also worth building around. They might be missing truly elite offensive output or have defensive deficiencies, but these players are still All-Stars time in and time out.

Filip Forsberg, Jonathan Drouin, Mark Giordano, Jonathan Quick

1. Top line foward / Top pair defenseman / Starting goalie

These players can generate reasonable offensive output while still being tasked with playing against the opponent’s best. In most cases, these players are not ideal at the top of the depth chart, though on struggling teams they often find themselves there. Their value, though, is not to be underestimated.

Bryan Little, Derek Stepan, Brent Seabrook, Craig Anderson

2. Top six forward / Top four defensemen / Backup goalie

These players might score 20 goals or 50 points. They bring one of two things to the table and do them well: secondary scoring or defensive awareness.

Artem Anisimov, Chris Kreider, Dan Hamhuis, James Reimer

3v. Top nine forward / Top 6 defenseman with defensive skills

These are players that are generally suited to 3rd line roles but can play challenging minutes against the opponent’s top forwards. In general, they can be underrated by people who don’t watch the team play.

Darren Helm, Brian Boyle, Luke Schenn

3+. Top nine forward / Top 6 defenseman with offensive capability

Most talented prospects will start at this level. These players are not consistent enough to get 60+ games in the top 6, but can keep up with skilled players. 25-35 points is reasonable output for forwards. For defensemen, they’re generally not trusted with over 17 minutes per night, but still see time on the power play.

Sam Gagner, Kris Versteeg, Pavel Buchnevich, Michael Del Zotto

3. Top nine forward / Top six defenseman

These are reliable NHL players that are rarely counted on for offense. In general their goal is to play 12-14 minutes per game and finish even. Offensive production is bonus.

Benoit Pouliot, Shawn Mathias, Jonathan Ericsson

4. Fourth line forward

You’re playing 10 minutes per game, generally earn less than $1-million per year, and other than those “locker room guys”, you’re generally not missed upon departure.

Chris Thorburn, Jordan Nolan, Chris Neil

D. Depth player

You’re probably decent in the AHL, and maybe even good.

But in the NHL, it’ll be tough to earn a regular role.

If I put any examples, you probably wouldn’t even know who they are.

Plenty of players aged 18-22 will have this as their Current Rating until they prove they can play in the AHL or the NHL.