NHL 27 Glossary
The hockey and EA NHL terms you will run into across NHL 27 — modes, controls and ratings — defined in plain English.
New to the series or to hockey? This NHL 27 glossary defines the shorthand you will see on menus, in modes and around player ratings. Terms are listed A to Z.
- Be A Pro
- The single-player career mode following one player from prospect to NHL star with story choices.
- CHELWorld of Chel
- The online hub built around a created virtual pro, home to Ones, Threes, Drop-In and EASHL Clubs.
- ChemistryChemistry / Synergy
- HUT bonuses earned by fielding players who share teams, leagues or nations, boosting attributes.
- Cup ChaseHUT Cup Chase
- An offline 18-game HUT season plus a best-of-3 playoff with its own reward track.
- DekeDeke / Dangle
- A stickhandling move to beat a defender — toe drags, between-the-legs and lacrosse moves are common.
- Drop-In
- Matchmade 3v3 and 6v6 games with random teammates; in NHL 26 you can request to join clubs from the Dressing Room.
- EASHLEA Sports Hockey League
- The 6v6 club team-play mode inside World of Chel, with rankings and grudge matches.
- FranchiseFranchise Mode
- The multi-season GM/dynasty mode covering trades, drafts, contracts, scouting and staff.
- Hip check
- A low body check using the hip; in NHL 26 its power scales with turn angle.
- HUTHockey Ultimate Team
- The card-collecting team-builder mode where you open packs, earn player and ability cards, and compete online and offline.
- ICE-Q
- EA's NHL gameplay engine; NHL 26 shipped ICE-Q 2.0, powered by real NHL EDGE tracking data.
- NHL EDGE
- The NHL's official player-and-puck tracking data feed that powers in-game attributes and presentation.
- One-timer
- Shooting a pass on contact without stopping the puck, the highest-danger shot when timed well.
- Ones
- 1v1v1 free-for-all in World of Chel; 'Ones Now' is the quick-play variant.
- OVROverall
- A player's single headline rating (roughly 0-99) summarizing all attributes.
- Poke check
- A quick stick jab to knock the puck off an attacker without committing to a hit.
- RankedHUT Ranked
- The competitive HUT ladder that replaced Rivals in NHL 26; you do not demote once a division is earned.
- Salary capSalary Cap
- The league-wide payroll limit that constrains roster building in Franchise and some HUT modes.
- Season PassSeason of Chel Pass
- The free World of Chel reward track; in NHL 26 all tiers are free for everyone.
- Skill Stick
- The right-stick control scheme with the largest move variety and highest skill ceiling.
- Threes
- Arcade-styled 3v3 hockey in World of Chel, including an Eliminator bracket.
- Total Control
- The beginner-friendly control scheme that maps skill moves to button presses.
- WildcardHUT Wildcard
- A HUT draft mode played under rotating restrictions such as salary caps or player requirements.
- X-FactorSuperstar Ability
- A signature ability that unlocks elite behavior when conditions are met, shown with an on-screen trigger cue.
