Overview
This guide breaks down Skater and Goalie Attributes, explains which ones are useful for beginners, and helps you prioritize the most effective ones by position.
What are Attributes in NHL 26?
Attributes are the core ratings that define how players perform in NHL 26. They’re stats that influence how skaters and goalies move, pass, shoot, defend, and make saves. Here’s what you need to know.- When a player has a high Attribute rating, they react faster, perform better, and are more likely to succeed in actions related to that Attribute.
- Attributes are separated into Skater and Goalie categories.
- The best players aren’t always those with the highest Overall Rating (OVR). Choose players whose Attributes match your strategy or roster needs.
- Attributes work alongside Abilities and X-Factors, which amplify specific skills or moments in gameplay.
Skater Attributes in NHL 26
Skater Attributes in NHL are grouped by category. Check out each category to learn how its Attributes impact gameplay.- Deking: controls how quickly and how well moves are performed at speed.
- Hand-Eye: affects how well a player can deflect pucks, receive, knock down, or intercept pucks that are in the air.
- Passing: affects how accurately and powerfully a player performs both saucer and regular passes.
- Puck Control: influences how well a player can receive or intercept passes, maintain possession, and recover the puck after a turnover.
- Defensive Awareness: influences a player’s reflexes when reacting to opposing players.
- Shot Blocking: determines how quickly a player can get in and out of shot blocks.
- Stick Checking: impacts how accurately and quickly a player can poke check, stick lift, and use their defensive skill stick.
- Offensive Awareness: influences a player's reflexes when reacting to their teammates’ actions.
- Slapshot Accuracy: controls how accurately a player can take a slapshot.
- Slapshot Power: determines the maximum speed and force a player can generate with a slapshot.
- Wristshot Accuracy: influences how accurately a player can take a wristshot.
- Wristshot Power: affects how hard or fast a player can shoot the puck using a wristshot.
- Acceleration: determines how quickly a player reaches top speed.
- Agility: defines how quickly and smoothly a player can change direction, turn, and move.
- Balance: influences a player's resistance to getting knocked off their feet and their ability to withstand checks.
- Endurance: impacts how effectively a player can conserve and recover their energy.
- Speed: specifies the top speed a player can reach.
- Aggression: influences whether a player steps up to make a play on the puck or puck carrier, or lets the play come to them.
- Body Checking: determines how effectively a player performs a body check, and influences the impact of the hit result.
- Fighting Skill: guides how well a player can withstand or throw punches when fighting.
- Strength: affects how strongly a player maintains posture during collisions, and their ability to hold ground or overpower opponents in contested situations.
- Discipline: influences the likelihood of a player taking a penalty after poorly timed actions.
- Durability: controls a player’s ability to avoid injury and how quickly they recover after hits.
- Faceoffs: increase the chance of success in faceoffs and influence how often they’re won clean.
- Poise: determines how a player performs and reacts in high-pressure situations.
Goalie Attributes in NHL 26
Goalies may have some Skater Attributes, but their performance is mainly influenced by their own set of goalie-specific Attributes.
Goalkeeping
- Aggressiveness: controls how far out the goalie challenges shooters.
- Angles: impacts positioning and reduces open net space.
- Breakaway: influences performance during 1-on-1 and deke scenarios.
- Five Hole: determines how effectively goalies block low shots between their legs.
- Gloveside High/Low: helps goalies catch high or low shots with their glove hand.
- Stickside High/Low: helps goalies block high or low shots on their stick side using the blocker.
- Poke Check: controls how effectively a goalie uses their stick to break up plays and knock the puck loose near the net.
- Puck Playing Frequency: influences how often a goalie leaves the area in front of the net to handle the puck.
- Rebound Control: affects how well the goalie holds onto shots or steers rebounds safely away from danger.
- Shot Recovery: determines how fast a goalie gets back into position after making a save.
- Vision: guides how easily a goalie can follow the puck, especially through traffic or deflections.
5 key Attributes for NHL beginners
If you’re a beginner, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when deciding which Attributes to focus on. Start by understanding these beginner-friendly ones.- 1Speed: helps you move faster, outrun opponents, and win loose pucks.
- 2Puck Control: helps you keep possession and maintain steadiness when handling passes.
- 3Passing: improves accuracy and reduces turnovers.
- 4Wristshot Accuracy: your go-to shot in most gameplay situations.
- 5Defensive Awareness: crucial for intercepting passes, positioning, and smarter reactions.
Tips for prioritizing Attributes by player position
Different positions benefit from different Attributes, so it’s important to consider a player’s role when deciding which Attributes to prioritize.Check out these player positions and learn what Attributes are key for each role on the ice.As the most versatile forwards, centers set up plays and connect the defense to the offense. Here are some key Attributes that can help improve their performance.
- Faceoffs: determines how often you win draws at the faceoff circle, crucial for gaining early puck possession.
- Passing: helps you pass the puck to teammates quickly and accurately, especially through traffic or tight angles.
- Puck Control: helps you hold onto the puck under pressure and make smoother transitions from defense to offense.
- Defensive Awareness: helps you read plays, block passing lanes, and react quickly while defending near your own net.
Wingers stretch the ice, focus on offensive rushes, and prevent opponents from advancing the puck. Speed and quick release matter, so focus on Attributes that play to their strengths.
- Wristshot Accuracy: improves your aim when taking quick-release shots, great for finishing breakaways and rebounds.
- Speed: affects how fast you skate in full stride and can help you break past defenders.
- Agility: helps with turning and movement in tight spaces.
- Offensive Awareness: influences how quickly you turn, stop, and cut, and is useful for shaking off defenders or moving through tight spaces.
Left defensemen are primarily focused on blocking shots and defending the goal. Focus on Attributes like these that strengthen your positioning, physicality, and passing.
- Defensive Awareness: helps you break up plays, react to developing threats, and intercept passes in the defensive zone.
- Stick Checking: helps you improve poke checks and stick lifts while lowering the chance of penalties.
- Passing: allows for clean breakouts and stretch passes to wingers, reducing turnovers in your zone.
- Body Checking: increases your ability to separate opponents from the puck using contact.
Right defensemen protect the weak-side lane, where turnovers can turn into goals. These Attributes help ensure defensive consistency and smart puck movement.
- Defensive Awareness: encourages your player to stay in the right spot when defending (even without the puck) and improves reaction time in high-pressure situations.
- Stick Checking: helps prevent scoring chances by dislodging the puck without taking penalties.
- Shot Blocking: improves your success rate when getting in the way of shots.
- Passing: allows you to make cleaner passes from your zone to teammates to help avoid turnovers under pressure.
As the last line of defense against the opposing team scoring, goalies benefit from Attributes that put positioning and control first.
- Angles: helps you cut down shooting angles and reduce how much net is exposed to attackers
- Rebound Control: improves your ability to catch or direct shots away safely, limiting second-chance goals.
- Shot Recovery: increases how quickly you reset after making a save.
- Vision: improves the ability to track pucks through screens and traffic.