The release of EA Sports' new NHL game coincides with the start of the NHL season. The newest edition of the franchise, "NHL 22," is set to drop, and many have already played the game ahead of its worldwide release.
Sporting News has you covered with an everything you need to know guide before shelling out the cash for the new game.
'NHL 22' release date
- Friday, Oct. 15
The "NHL 22" global release for all consoles takes place on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. The game has been available since Tuesday, Oct. 12 to those who pre-ordered the X-Factor Edition.
MORE: NHL predictions entering 2021-22
"NHL 22" price
This year, the Standard Edition price of "NHL 22" is $59.99 or $69.99, depending on the console.
The X-Factor Edition of the game is priced at $99.99. This is a special version of the game that allows early access and has additional content such as extra packs, kits and items.
"NHL 22" will be released on next-gen consoles PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, as well as PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
| Console | Standard Edition | X-Factor Edition |
| PS4 | $59.99 | $99.99 |
| PS5 | $69.99 | $99.99 |
| Xbox One | $59.99 | $99.99 |
| Xbox Series X/S | $69.99 | $99.99 |
There are two editions of "NHL 22" available to purchase: Standard and X-Factor Edition. You get additional perks with X-Factor Edition, hence the more expensive price point.
Standard Edition
- Up to 2 HUT Diamond Player Choice Packs (One per month for two months)
- 5 World of Chel X-Factor Zone Ability Unlocks
- 2 Be a Pro X-Factor Slot Unlocks, XP Boost and Bonus Trait Points
- Unlocked Hockey Bag
X-Factor Edition
- "NHL 22" for PS4 and PS5, Xbox One and Series X
- 3-Days Early Access
- Up to 10 HUT Diamond Player Choice Packs
- HUT X-Factor Player Choice Pack
- HUT X-Factor Power-Up Starter Pack
- Up to 4 HUT Power-Up Packs
- 5 World of Chel X-Factor Zone Ability Unlocks
- 2 Be A Pro X-Factor Slot Unlocks, XP Boost and Bonus Trait Points
- 5 Unlocked Hockey Bags
"NHL 22" player ratings
As usual, the ratings are released before the game. Edmonton's Connor McDavid is once again the best player in NHL per EA Sports's rankings, with the latter confirming his rating of 95 in the new game.
BEST OF THE BEST: Top 10 defensemen | Top 10 goalies | Top 10 forwards | Top 25 under 25
Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon is tied with Sidney Crosby and Leon Draisaitl as the second-highest "NHL 22" players, with ratings of 93. The top four are followed by Patrick Kane, Victor Hedman and Nikita Kucherov, all rated at 92.
| Rank | Player | Position | "NHL 22" rating |
| 1 | Connor McDavid | CEN | 95 |
| 2 | Nathan MacKinnon | CEN | 93 |
| 3 | Sidney Crosby | CEN | 93 |
| 4 | Leon Draisaitl | CEN | 93 |
| 5 | Patrick Kane | RW | 92 |
| 6 | Victor Hedman | LD | 92 |
| 7 | Nikita Kucherov | RW | 92 |
| 8 | Alex Ovechkin | LW | 92 |
| 9 | Auston Matthews | CEN | 92 |
| 10 | David Pastrnack | RW | 91 |
'NHL 22' features
Ultimate Team
Players will now be able to unlock and choose all-new synergies to strategize around team building and maximizing HUT squad performance. Normal player items have one synergy slot, but power-up items can get up to three total slots via upgrades.
World of Chel
World of Chel is adding a social widget to allow players to engage and play game modes together. The hub is revamped to allow quick and easy access to different game modes. The visuals will change to reflect each mode.
Be a Pro
Players can unlock X-Factor abilities with the option of multi-season storylines and long-term challenges.
Franchise
X-Factors are added to both pro and amateur scouting reports to influence trade value and team management. Players have the option to choose either the Kraken, or build a 33rd team to draft in an expansion draft. If you decide to draft with an existing team, you'll have to choose which players to protect from getting selected.
'NHL 22' cover
Auston Matthews is the cover star of "NHL 22". The Maple Leafs star is the EA Sports NHL series' official cover athlete for the second time in his career.
Back again 🔥 @AM34 is your #NHL22 cover athlete! 💪
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) August 19, 2021
Pre-order now 👉 https://t.co/JF65PnliKE pic.twitter.com/IiTjcZxoSI
The 24-year-old center is a repeat cover athlete since he was the face of NHL 20.
What consoles is 'NHL 22' on?
"NHL 22" will be released on next-gen consoles PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, as well as PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Cross-platform play
Like the previous edition, "NHL 22" will not support cross-platform play.
How to play 'NHL 22' early
While Early Access won't be available for the Standard Edition, anyone who pre-orders the "NHL 22" X-Factor Edition will gain access three days ahead of the scheduled release date.
Anyone who purchases the X-Factor Edition will be able to play on Tuesday, Oct. 12, the same day the NHL season starts.
Sign up to EA Play
One way of playing "NHL 22" before the release date is by signing up to EA Play — a service that allows subscribers a 10-hour preview trial. The EA Play early access trial was available beginning October 7, 2021 — eight days before the official launch day.
Pre-order "NHL 22" X-Factor Edition
You can also play "NHL 22" early if you pre-order the X-Factor Edition of the game. The pre-order perks for "NHL 22" X-Factor Edition include three days of early access.
The full X-Factor Edition pre-order perks are:
- "NHL 22" for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One
- 3 Days Early Access
- Up to 10 HUT Diamond Player Choice Packs (2 per month for 5 months)
- HUT X-Factor Player Choice Pack (2 of 25)
- HUT X-Factor Power-Up Starter Pack
- Up to 4 HUT X-Factor Power-Up Packs (1 per month for 4 months starting November 2021)
- 5 World of Chel X-Factor Zone Ability Unlocks
- 5 Unlocked Hockey Bags
- Be A Pro X-Factor Slot Unlocks (2), XP Boost, and Bonus Trait Points
To pre-order "NHL 22," you can do so via the official EA Sports website.