The wait is over, NHL fans, as the NHL 26 cover star has finally been revealed, and it's no other than two-time Stanley Cup winner Matthew Tkachuk, from the Florida Panthers.
Tkachuk has become one of the faces of the league and a crucial piece in the Florida Panthers dynasty, which now aims to become only the sixth team in NHL history to three-peat, a feat that is equally impressive as it is hard.
NHL 26 Cover Star Gatheres Mixed Reactions
The announcement of Matthew Tkachuk as the NHL 26 cover star was received with mixed reactions by the community. Many think the decision is the right one, as Matthew Tkachuk is a superstar player and is coming off a second straight Stanley Cup win, deserving the honor of being the face of the game.
However, many fans were slightly disappointed by this choice, with many saying that his teammates Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett deserve it more. There are, of course, plenty of fans who don't like how dominant Tkachuk and the Planthers have been recently, which is completely justified if you are an Oilers fan.
But when you take everything into perspective, this is a good decision by EA NHL, and there is no doubt that Tkachuk is cover star material. With the Panthers' recent success, it was almost inevitable that one of their players was going to be on the cover, and Matthew Tkachuk seems like the most deserving one.
The NHL 26 pre-launch campaign is now officially live, with the NHL 26 reveal trailer premiering on August 6, and more information about the game set to be revealed soon.
Stay tuned to RealSport101.com for updates, trailers, and official news on NHL 26 as we get closer to launch.