EA SPORTS NHL 27 pre-orders are live at Best Buy Canada for PlayStation 5 and XBOX Series X|S. The game launches September 11, 2026, with San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini on the cover.
Born in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Celebrini is the youngest player to appear on an EA SPORTS NHL cover. San Jose selected him first overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, and he followed that milestone with a record-setting second season. Celebrini finished with 45 goals and 70 assists for 115 points, surpassing Joe Thornton’s previous Sharks record. He also represented Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics and captained the national team at the 2026 IIHF World Championship. As a Canadian hockey fan, I love seeing one of our brightest young stars lead this year’s game. His cover appearance follows an outstanding year for both San Jose and Canada.
On the ice, NHL 27 adds team-specific playbooks powered by NHL EDGE data and shared online leagues through Connected Franchise. EA has also updated all 32 arenas to better reflect their home clubs. The NHL 27 pre-orders include a HUT NHL Player Pack, 500 NHL Points, and a World of Chel 2XP Boost. These bonuses are available when you pre-order before September 11, 2026.
NHL 27 details
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 and XBOX Series X|S
Developer(s): EA Vancouver
Publisher(s): Electronic Arts
Genre: Sports
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
Every NHL team has its own playbook
NHL 27 replaces the three shared playbooks from NHL 26 with 32 team-specific options powered by NHL EDGE data. Each club now follows its own approach through breakouts, neutral-zone movement, offensive entries, forechecking, and power plays.
Those tactical differences become clear in how teams create offence. Florida favours a physical dump-and-chase system, with forwards pursuing the puck below the goal line. Colorado relies more on speed, puck movement, and cycling along the boards. These team identities are starting points rather than restrictions. You aren’t locked to the playbook assigned to your chosen club. Buffalo can use Seattle’s approach, for example, while Practice Mode lets you test different strategies first. You can then take those playbooks into Franchise Mode or Hockey Ultimate Team.
Cohesive Teamwork AI supports each system through more responsive teammate behaviour. A far-side winger can accelerate after a dump-in without requiring an immediate character switch. Defenders also guard cross-crease passes more actively and may dive to disrupt a breakaway. I like that choosing Florida instead of Colorado now changes strategy alongside uniforms, ratings, and line combinations. That should give each club a clearer tactical identity on the ice.
Connected Franchise brings online leagues to NHL 27
Connected Franchise supports leagues with three to 32 human-controlled teams. Presets allow groups to begin quickly without configuring every available option. League creators can choose the number of games in each competition. Smaller groups can use a compact format, while larger groups can include every NHL club.
Once the league begins, each member manages their club throughout the season. They can propose trades, bid on free agents, and adjust their roster. Commissioners also have tools for managing league settings. Those decisions can reshape future matchups and keep rivalries going beyond a single online game.
NHL arenas reflect their home teams
EA has reworked all 32 NHL arenas so each building reflects its home club more clearly. Crowds now react differently to events on the ice, supported by new models, animations, and team-specific props.
That identity begins before the opening faceoff. San Jose’s shark head frames the Sharks’ entrance, while Columbus retains its cannon and the Islanders feature their lighthouse. Authentic goal songs continue that identity after the home club scores. The atmosphere also responds as the game unfolds. Arena lighting follows music during introductions and stoppages, then changes during icings and late power plays. Jumbotrons and power rings bring team colours into more of the building.
NHL 27’s Cinematic Orchestrator brings these arena elements into the broadcast. It can move between crowds, scoreboards, landmarks, replays, and goaltenders preparing for the next faceoff. The broadcast package follows the same team-focused direction. John Buccigross and Darren Pang form the new commentary pairing, while revised graphics use team colours across introductions, penalty information, and statistical overlays.
I’m eager to see how these changes affect road games. A visit to San Jose should look and sound different from a night in Columbus.
EA SPORTS NHL 27 pre-order bonuses at Best Buy Canada
Pre-ordering EA SPORTS NHL 27 at Best Buy Canada includes three bonuses:
- HUT NHL Player Pack
- 500 NHL Points
- World of Chel 2XP Boost
The HUT NHL Player Pack includes one pack for Hockey Ultimate Team, while the 500 NHL Points can be spent on HUT packs and cosmetic items. The World of Chel 2XP Boost also doubles XP through the end of Season 6. These bonuses are available when you pre-order before September 11, 2026.
Pre-order EA SPORTS NHL 27 at Best Buy Canada
EA SPORTS NHL 27 brings its biggest additions together through team-specific playbooks, Connected Franchise, and more distinctive NHL arenas. Team selection now affects strategy, while online leagues create room for trades, rivalries, and longer competition among friends.
Pre-order the NHL 27 at Best Buy Canada before September 11, 2026, to receive three bonuses. These include a HUT NHL Player Pack, 500 NHL Points, and a World of Chel 2XP Boost.
I’ve played EA’s hockey series since NHL Hockey arrived on the Sega Genesis in 1991. Connected Franchise is the addition I’m most eager to try this year. I can already picture trades and free-agent bidding creating new rivalries among friends. I’m also curious to see how the 32 playbooks change familiar matchups throughout a season.
EA SPORTS NHL 27 launches September 11, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and XBOX Series X|S. Pre-order now at Best Buy Canada and be ready when the puck drops.
