EA SPORTS has continued NHL 27 Ratings Week with the reveal of the game's leading defensemen, giving players another important piece of information ahead of launch.

While elite forwards often receive most of the attention in Hockey Ultimate Team, a strong defensive unit can be just as important. The latest ratings provide an early opportunity to identify the players who could anchor competitive NHL 27 lineups.

Defense Is About More Than Overall Rating
When evaluating a defenseman, players should look beyond the overall number.

Different attributes suit different strategies. An offensive defenseman may help move the puck and generate scoring opportunities, while a more physical option can provide greater protection around the net.

Important qualities can include:

Defensive awareness
Skating
Passing
Stick checking
Physical strength
Offensive ability

The best choice depends heavily on how a player wants to build the rest of the team.

Build Defensive Pairs, Not Individual Stars
One useful approach is to think about defensemen as pairs.

Combining two players with complementary strengths can produce better results than simply selecting the two highest-rated cards available.

For example, an offensive-minded defenseman can be paired with a stronger defensive partner. This provides additional freedom to attack without leaving the team completely exposed during counterattacks.

Ratings Can Influence HUT Planning
The Ratings Week announcements are especially useful for players preparing for Hockey Ultimate Team.

Knowing which defensemen have strong attributes before launch can help players create an early wish list and avoid spending resources without a clear plan.

NHL Points will also become part of that resource-management decision. Players should consider whether opening packs immediately or saving currency for later content better fits their strategy.

For those comparing different purchasing options, z2u.com offers NHL 27 Points through its gaming marketplace, providing another place to explore available offers from different sellers.

A Strong Blue Line Can Change Games
Building an NHL 27 team around forwards alone can create problems against skilled opponents.

A balanced defensive unit helps control transitions, protect the goal, and move possession back toward the offensive zone.

With EA now revealing more of the NHL 27 ratings database, players can begin identifying defensive combinations that could provide the foundation for a competitive HUT lineup.