William Nylander and Chris Tanev Featured in NHL 26 Trailer, Fans Take Notice

For both hockey and video game fans, August is always a big month as that's when EA Sports typically releases new information regarding their yearly NHL video game series.

Whether it's new modes, new features, updated CPU IQ, or whatever new flavor of the month feature, you can expect many to pick up the game and live out their fantasies of either being a pro themselves, or end up leading their favorite team to glory.

For the Maple Leafs, it often feels like the only chance they have at success at winning is virtual, but in the gameplay trailer, at least the team got some love from the EA team.

Although brief, the trailer did highlight two Maple Leafs in Chris Tanev and William Nylander. For the former, Tanev was in his typical sprawled out position blocking a shot, meanwhile Nylander ended up wiring a wrist shot against the Bruins.

It also is coupled with the first reveal of Mitch Marner in full Vegas gear, and not only did it show off his signature white gloves, but also saw him trying a backhand against former teammate Joseph Woll (goal or not is undetermined).

Based off NHL 25 ratings, Nylander should slot in with a 92-93 overall, and will no doubt be one of the highest in both the base game, and on the Maple Leafs. Tanev will come in lower in the mid-80's but for a player turning 36, it's not too shabby.

Fans were mild in their reactions to say the least.

The EA Sports team is certainly filled with their fair share of hockey fans, and being based in Canada it's not too surprising, although the studio has received it's fair share of criticism (and rightly so) for their less than stellar output over the last decade.

But it's great to see they don't have a group that dislikes the Maple Leafs, because in their hands, they can create anything. We could have seen Marner lifting the Cup, or Auston Matthews being laid out; anything to spark fans' ire.

It ended up showing things that Tanev and Nylander do best, and all we can hope for is that art imitates life, and both men can use their mastery on the ice to not only block shots and score goals, but lead Toronto to the promised land after all.