NHL 23 X-Factor Abilities And Superstars List

Break out the goalie pads: NHL 23 is officially here. EA Vancouver’s latest reinvention of the hockey sim includes a visual overhaul to on-ice presentation and encourages NHL fans to make history with their friends using new last-chance puck movement, assisted strategies, full franchise editing, and for the first time ever, the addition of women’s players in both Ultimate Team and cross-platform play.

Superstar X-Factor abilities return in NHL 23 for the second year in a row, and they are headlined by two additions: Trevor Zegras’ flip pass (“Skilled Up”) and Sarah Nurse’s ability to shnipe after contact (“Relentless”). X-Factors are still categorized by Zone abilities (i.e. “Wheels”) and secondary Superstar modifiers (“Big Rig,” “Quick Pick”) and with Hockey Ultimate Team leaning into an NHL Hitz level of arcade mechanics, they continue to add layers of class-based competition that’s inspired by the likes of Makar, Matthews, and McDavid. Whether you’re all in on Be A Pro, Franchise or World Of Chel, here’s everything you need to know about the long list of X-Factors and Zone Abilities in NHL 23.

For more on NHL 23, check out the Gameplay Trailer and the Top 50 Players By Rating.

NHL 23 X-Factor List

Below is a quick look at every X-Factor in NHL 23. This year’s list revises zone abilities for more than 50 NHL superstars, including first-timers like New York’s Igor Shesterkin, Detroit’s Dylan Larkin, Boston’s Charlie McAvoy, Montreal’s Cole Caufield, and Columbus’ winger Johnny Gaudreau.

NHL 23’s X-Factors list also features 11 IIHF Women’s National Team players–from Canada’s Marie-Philip Poulin to Team USA’s Hilary Knight to Switzerland’s 24-year-old phenom Alina Muller.