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Operation Sports
Operation Sports
Shahmeer Shahzad

NHL 26: Best Center Loadout

In NHL 26, optimizing a best center loadout typically means achieving phenomenal command on ice with balanced speed, playmaking, and critical faceoff skills. Diehard players are always on the hunt for a solid center, as it ultimately provides immense offensive and defensive capabilities. To make sure you go all-in with this role, here’s an overpowered center build in NHL 26 to become unstoppable on ice.

Best Center Loadout In NHL 26

nhl 26 patch
Image: EA

Our Center build will have the following characteristics:

  • Height: 6’0”
  • Weight: 180 LBS
  • Shoots Left

After deciding the characteristics, the attribute values will look like this:

  • Wrist Shot Accuracy: 87
  • Slap Shot Accuracy: 83
  • Speed: 93
  • Balance: 83
  • Agility: 83
  • Wrist Shot Power: 84
  • Slap Shot Power: 81
  • Acceleration: 93
  • Puck Control: 88
  • Endurance: 88
  • Passing: 90
  • Offensive Awareness: 87
  • Body Checking: 79
  • Stick Checking: 83
  • Defensive Awareness: 84
  • Hand-Eye: 87
  • Strength: 82
  • Durability: 80
  • Shot Blocking: 80
  • Deking: 87
  • Faceoffs: 90
  • Discipline: 85
  • Fighting Skill: 75

With the characteristics and attributes taken care of, opting for these X Factor abilities is a must:

  • WHEELS: Boosts Speed and Acceleration beyond the values above
  • NO CONTEST: Gives an acceleration boost after a turnover
  • ELITE EDGES: Polishes puck control and helps with sharp maneuvering around defenders

These are all the elements for our ultimate center loadout. With Speed and Acceleration at 93, you’ll be able to make rapid recoveries and sprints, ideal for intense puck battles. After speed, 82 Strength, and 88 Puck Control, further polish your puck command to take on opponents during sticky situations with fluid pass handling and quick settling.

Similarly, the build will keep up with your sharp and tactical decision-making thanks to 90 Passing and 87 Offensive Awareness. Together, these will be ideal for assisting and putting a fair amount of offensive pressure on the opposing team. For defense, the awareness is at 84, paired with 83 Stick Checking, which helps slow down stubborn forwards and disrupt passes; ideal for a center build.

After speed and great playmaking, the next aspect in which this loadout excels is faceoff skills. For that, Discipline, Deking, and Face Offs all sit above 85 to make sure you never miss out on faceoffs and maintain puck possession. Since offensive rushes and defensive coverage will be your bread and butter, the 88 Endurance will provide you with the necessary juice. At last, the chosen X Factor abilities will act as the final nail in the coffin, putting you on a level above everyone else.

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