The Daily: Cale Makar named NHL 24 Cover Athlete

I’ve already given full disclosure that I still am a gamer, though the time isn’t there to really play like there once was. The NHL series, dating all the way back to my middle school days (!) has been a staple of the yearly rotation. Just minutes after posting this, Cale Makar and the EA Sports NHL account both revealed Makar as the NHL 24 cover athlete. But it doesn’t quell the humor from before it.

Colorado Hockey Now’s Evan Rawal put up a hilarious tweet last night as the NHL 24 cover athlete is to be named today:

Yes, I’ve been sent the leaks on Discord of Makar being the NHL 24 cover athlete.

There’s really only one picture they can use if it’s true, though… pic.twitter.com/2SPW5mfIdK

— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) August 14, 2023

In the brief snippets given from the NHL team, they’ve talked about a few things  and teased the dates for the reveal trailer and other little tweets here and there about players doing motion caption for the game.

NHL 24 will still be on the previous platforms but also in its second iteration on the newest generation–which should take a step forward. The series has been maligned by some and revered by others, with many looking back at the 2009-2014 versions as some of the best in the series. NHL 24 is teasing already that maybe some of the old features could be back.

The reveal trailer on Wednesday will be the first clue–then the gradual release begins up until the launch. Blackhawks fans will get the added treat of getting Connor Bedard right from the start, too.

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• The latest deep dive on the NHL Network Top 50 Prospects looks at two of the teams with four prospects, Columbus and Nashville. What does it tell the Blackhawks and maybe a rivalry will be brewing again with the latter as both teams rise up again…
• A look at the three Blackhawks who made the NHLN Top 50 and how it all shakes out across the league

Hockey Now Network

Buffalo: Speaking of the Top 50 Prospects, the Buffalo Sabres also skate away with four prospects on the list.

Detroit: Only two Detroit Red Wings prospects make the top 50, which might be concerning for a team rebuilding

San Jose: Turns out the San Jose Sharks had some interest in Matt Dumba

Philadelphia: Two of the top 10 ranked goes to the Philadelphia Flyers, which might speed things up a bit in its rebuild

Pittsburgh: A look at why the Pittsburgh Penguins should–or shouldn’t–sign Tomas Tatar

Vegas: A little Vegas Golden Knights trivia as the long days of August continue on