Best Base HUT Cards in NHL 25

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Summary

  • NHL 25’s HUT mode features events like Fantasy and Next-Gen, influencing player OVR numbers.
  • Starting a HUT team requires base cards obtained from booster packs, competitions, and the Auction House.
  • The best player suggestions for HUT include players from both the NHL and PWHL.

As a seasoned gamer with countless hours spent in the digital ice rinks of NHL franchises, I must say that the roster of Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) in NHL 25 is nothing short of impressive. However, amongst all the players vying for the top spot, there are some who truly stand out.

In NHL 25’s Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) mode, gamers can amass diverse cards to construct their ideal hockey team. Since its launch, Electronic Arts (EA) has incorporated special event cards into HUT, with recurring events making a comeback. These events encompass the Fantasy event, which mimics real-life NHL and Professional Women’s Hockey League statistics and players, and the Next-Gen event, which focuses on the game’s promising rookies and younger talents, whose overall ratings (OVR) are affected by their Calder Trophy rankings.

If individuals are keen on launching their Hockey Ultimate Team, they need to engage with the game first to amass fundamental cards to kick-start their HUT journey. There are several methods to obtain these cards: purchasing booster packs from the store, participating in HUT Moments challenges, or bidding for cards in the Auction House. However, note that some cards listed in the Auction House, even the base ones, can be quite expensive when it comes to Credits.

10. 84 OVR Ann-Renee Desbiens

Montreal Victoire

  • Height/Weight: 5′ 9″/161 lbs
  • Synergy: Deking Boost
  • Position: Goaltender

Desbiens is a great option for players looking to start their Hockey Ultimate Team. She has a great stat pool with well-balanced numbers in key stats for a goaltender, like Speed, Agility, and Positioning. The other key benchmark for goaltender success, particularly in the HUT Champs match made PvP game mode, is height.

Amongst Aerin Frankel, Klara Peslarova, and Abbey Levy, Desbiens might not be the tallest, but her statistics make her base card a strong contender when compared to most other base cards in competition.

9. 84 OVR Connor Hellebuyck

Winnipeg Jets

  • Height/Weight: 6’4″/207 lbs
  • Synergy: Defensive Boost
  • Position: Goaltender

Goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets is an impressive figure between the pipes. While his speed, agility, and positioning may not be top-tier compared to others, he compensates with his tall stature and defensive synergy. His effectiveness on the ice has made him a reliable choice for many players starting their HUT (Hockey Ultimate Team) journey, which in turn increases his average price significantly in the Auction House.

After certain occurrences in NHL 25 have passed, it’s likely that players have shifted their focus towards top-tier goalie cards with higher Overall Ratings (OVR) within the game. Notably, Connor Hellebuyck possesses an Event Gamebreakers card with slightly enhanced statistics at an 85 OVR. Some potential alternatives include Jake Oettinger, Igor Shesterkin, and Sergei Bobrovsky.

8. 84 OVR Natalie Buchbinder

Minnesota Frost

  • Height/Weight: 5’8″/150 lbs
  • Synergy: Two-Way Defenseman
  • Position: Right Defense

In the realm of NHL 25, the introduction of PWHL cards has truly stirred things up, making me rethink my best base card lineup and strategies. This defensewoman boasts an impressive set of stats in the high 90s, complimented by her Checking and Skating abilities. What’s more, when her Two-Way Defenseman synergy kicks in, she gets a slight edge in Hands, Skating, and Defense, putting her right up there with the other cards.

In the offensive zone, Buchbinder’s shot is almost typical rather than exceptional, which means it might not result in many goals from the blue line. Alternative players to consider could be Cayla Barnes, Charlie McAvoy, or Drew Doughty.

7. 84 OVR Cale Makar

Colorado Avalanche

  • Height/Weight: 6’0″/187 lbs
  • Synergy: Offensive Defenseman
  • Position: Right Defense

Cale Makar, who graced the cover of NHL 24, is an exceptional choice for a game card. His Skating, Shooting, and Handling abilities are all exceptionally high for a defenseman. Furthermore, his Shooting skills receive additional boosts thanks to the Offensive Defenseman synergy. This enhancement significantly increases Makar’s accuracy and power on both wrist shots and slap shots, making them incredibly potent.

Besides him, Makar possesses certain special event cards too, like the Star of the Month 87 Overall Rating (OVR) Makar and the Cover Athlete 85 OVR Makar. Alternative cards include Adam Fox and Erin Ambrose.

6. 84 OVR Kendall Coyne

Minnesota Frost

  • Height/Weight: 5’5″/126 lbs
  • Synergy: Two-Way Forward
  • Position: Left Wing

As Minnesota Frost emerged victorious as the first Walter Cup champions, they boast a significant number of top-tier players who have been incorporated into the NHL 25 roster to date. Coyne stands out with her powerful shot, impressive Hand ratings, and exceptional stamina. Her Two-Way Forward synergy allows her to score goals for HUT teams, providing an enhancement not only in offensive abilities but defensive capabilities as well.

Despite her petite build, she tends to lose possession of the puck due to body checks, yet she excels in skating and defense when it comes to pursuing opponents. Comparable players could be Brad Marchand and Emma Maltais.

5. 83 OVR Kirill Kaprizov

Minnesota Wild

  • Height/Weight: 5’10″/202 lbs
  • Synergy: Sniper Forward
  • Position: Left Wing

Kirill Kaprizov consistently scores goals for any HUT team setup, boasting impressive shot precision and strength. When his Sniper Forward synergy is activated, this shooting ability ranks among the highest in the game on a basic card. However, the advantage of possessing such a deadly shot comes with the downside that Kaprizov’s defensive skills, particularly checking, are quite weak.

Apart from being relatively short, he often gets knocked down by larger ice hockey players. However, Kaprizov possesses an impressive Next Gen 87 Overall Rating event card. Alternative base cards featuring similar stats include those of Filip Forsberg and Alex Ovechkin.

4. 84 OVR Hilary Knight

Boston Fleet

  • Height/Weight: 5’11″/172 lbs
  • Synergy: Power Forward
  • Position: Right Wing

Hillary Knight’s default card is an excellent choice for the Right Wing position. She boasts well-rounded statistics even before considering the Power Forward synergy, showcasing impressive stamina, handling skills, and defensive checks. However, it’s important to note that the Power Forward synergy, while beneficial, is relatively weaker, typically adding just 1 to 2 points to each relevant statistic.

Regardless, she’s an excellent choice for the basic set of NHL Ultimate Team cards, as she can often be purchased more affordably on the Auction House compared to other alternatives with the same Overview (OVR) rating. Other potential options are Natalie Spooner and Grace Zumwinkle.

3. 84 OVR David Pastrnak

Boston Bruins

  • Height/Weight: 6’0″/196 lbs
  • Synergy: Sniper Forward
  • Position: Right Wing

Among right wingers with the Sniper Forward synergy activated, Pastrnak’s basic card offers the optimal choice. This synergy significantly increases his shot precision to nearly the low 90s, establishing him as the top pure RW Sniper in the game. While Pastrnak is not a defensive standout, his mediocre defense skills are acceptable. However, due to his smaller stature, he can be effectively checked by larger players.

Pastrnak boasts an exceptionally upgradeable card that culminates in a 86 Overall rating. Noteworthy right wingers such as Nikita Kucherov and Mitchell Marner also stand out.

2. 85 OVR Hannah Bilka

Minnesota Frost

  • Height/Weight: 5’5″/140 lbs
  • Synergy: Two-Way Forward
  • Position: Center

In NHL 25’s Hockey Ultimate Team, a majority of the player cards in the game are for Centers. These players handle taking the face-offs on behalf of the team to secure control of the puck initially. Bilka’s Face-Off stat stands at 79 when her Two-Way Forward synergy is activated, which means she’s decent at face-offs.

Despite her face-offs, Bilka has great, well-rounded stats to back her up as a first or second line center for any budding HUT player. Some alternates include Brianne Jenner and Marie-Philip Poulin.

1. 85 OVR Connor McDavid

Edmonton Oilers

  • Height/Weight: 6’1″/194 lbs
  • Synergy: Playmaking Forward
  • Position: Center

Among all base cards in Hockey Ultimate Team, Connor McDavid’s stands out as the one that players are most eager to obtain. The combination of his exceptional Playmaking Forward abilities, coupled with his astonishing Skating and Handling skills, sets him apart. He effortlessly navigates from one end of the game to the other, leaving most player cards in his wake without showing signs of exertion. However, it’s worth noting that his face-off stat is relatively average.

In the virtual gaming world I inhabit, my stats have me standing at the top of the pack, which means my value on the Auction House skyrockets. Not just a little, but a lot! McDavid’s got three unique cards too – an 89 OVR Frozen Forces, an 87 OVR Milestones, and a Season 1 upgradeable X-Factor card that can be boosted up to an impressive 89 OVR.

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2024-12-19 18:34