The upcoming release for EA Sports' NHL 27 is less than a month away. Even if you're not an ultra-competitive gamer, the ability to use modern day and alumni Anaheim Ducks players, is always an exciting aspect of the NHL video game series. The Anaheim roster will undoubtedly be representative of players currently signed with the team. On the alumni side, only Francois Beauchemin has been confirmed so far, but expect fan favorites like Teemu Selanne, Scott Niedermayer, J.S. Giguere, Steve Rucchin, and Guy Hebert to be included. Getting new alumni into the game is a tricky proposition, as the players have to sign off on their image and likeness being used, before EA can include them. As such, there have been notable Ducks alumni who have either yet to make an appearance in NHL video game series or have been absent for some time. Here is our wish list for three Ducks alumni that have been missing but would be welcome additions to NHL 27.
Ryan Getzlaf
An absolute no-brainer for an inclusion into our wish list. The former Ducks captain played all of his 17 NHL seasons with Anaheim and is the franchise leader in games played with 1,157 and points with 1,019. From winning the Stanley Cup in 2007, to becoming the face of the franchise in 2010s and being integral to some of the most incredible moments in Anaheim history, Getzlaf's omission from the NHL video game series has been rather puzzling, as he has held advisory roles with NHL teams, worked in the NHL's department of player safety, and is now an assistant coach for Team Canada in the 2027 World Junior Championship. As a rather large center with deceptively soft hands, Getzlaf would be a dominate force in the virtual world, as he was in the real world.
Paul Kariya
Another no doubt about it, slam dunk inclusion onto our wish list, Kariya would be an electric addition for NHL 27. In his nine seasons with Anaheim, Kariya is among the franchise leaders in goals (300) and points (669). Kariya was also one of the main drivers behind Anaheim's Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup in 2003. As to why as he has yet to make an appearance in the NHL game though, Kariya has led a very a private life after hockey and the possibility of recreating the infamous "Off the floor, on the board" goal has to be a deterrent. However, the retiring of his jersey number by the organization seems to have mended the fences and Kariya has been a little more active behind the scenes for the Ducks, even participating in the selection of Pat Verbeek as the GM. In game, Kariya would be a force on the wing, with his combination of speed and shooting ability.
Jonas Hiller
A non-Anaheim fan might think the selection of Hiller would be an odd choice, but the former Swiss goalie would be the perfect addition as a Ducks alumnus to NHL 27. Hiller was the guy in net for Anaheim from the late 2000s and into the early 2010s, is fourth all time in games started (308), and had a .916 save percentage. Hiller has stayed overseas since his retirement from the NHL and like some of his fellow Ducks alumni, his exclusion from the NHL video game series has been disheartening. Outside of having some of the best style, Hiller also caught right-handed and at the very least, would make NHL 27 players adjust their shooting tactics when trying to score a goal.
Who did we miss?
Most of the more notable Ducks alumni have been in various iterations of the NHL video games, either in a Ducks jersey or not. Some of your Anaheim favorites might still be playing in the NHL, just for different teams, like Cam Fowler or Corey Perry. But which Ducks alumni would you like to see in the NHL video game series? It could be some obscure skater from the early days, a depth player that has been woefully underappreciated, or anyone in between, all suggestions are welcome.
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