One of the most well-liked game modes that NHL fans can play to have a greater connection to the action is NHL Franchise Mode. It enables players to assume control of their favorite teams and players, guiding them to the success and glory they would have liked to experience in the real world.
Any NHL 23 fan will love the Franchise mode since it gives you a taste of what it’s like to manage a Franchise in the biggest ice hockey league on earth.
Choosing the greatest NHL 23 Franchise clubs to manage will entirely depend on the goals you have for the game.
Choose a squad with a lot of elite players and recent wins if you want to succeed right away. However, you should consider entirely alternative options if you would rather guide a squad from the bottom to the top.
You can choose the ideal team for you by reading this article, which will showcase some of the top teams to manage in NHL 23 Franchise Mode.
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames team was a hockey powerhouse to be reckoned with in the late 80s and early 90s. The franchise enjoyed its greatest level of success during this time, which included their lone Stanley Cup victory in the 88–89 season.
Although they lately were able to somewhat reverse that, they have not since since enjoyed the same levels of success.
Before the Avalanche dominated them on their path to the Stanley Cup last year, they were able to win the Division Championships.
The Flames could be a terrific option for you if you’d like to play against a group that is overdue for another successful run.
With three players ranked in the top 50, they have the players you need to have an effect in your first season in command.
You can use Jonathan Huberdeau, a terrific left winger, to your full advantage in terms of offensive alternatives. One of the top goalies in the NHL and one of the most dependable goalies is Jacob Markstrom.
Elias Lindholm is another excellent center you have at your disposal for both offense and defense.
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets, one of the NHL’s original franchises, briefly played as the Atlanta Thrashers before changing their name back to the Jets in 2011.
The Winnipeg Jets organization is ideal for you if you’re seeking for a rebuilding job. The Jets don’t currently have a captain, and they haven’t had any particularly noteworthy success.
And now that ice hockey has returned to Winnipeg, the new owners seem deserving of and overdue for some success.
Star players have suffered injuries recently, and the Jets have experienced a number of high-profile player departures. Their defense has occasionally looked fragile as a result of these departures, but they still have a lot to offer any new leader joining the team.
When big saves are required, you can count on Connor Hellebuyck to come through, and Kyle Connor is a dynamic left winger with a wealth of offensive skills.
To compete right away, you’ll need a strong draft, but over time, this team has the potential to become an NHL powerhouse.
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins, one of the most decorated teams in NHL history, make up the final group on this list. They have amassed a total of 26 divisional titles, three Presidents Trophies, five conference titles, and six Stanley Cups.
However, the early 1990s, late 1990s, and early 2000s saw the most of that success. The Bruins have struggled to display the same levels of dominance in previous years. The Bruins could be a great option for you to try out if you want to use Franchise Mode to elevate one of the most illustrious clubs back to the top of the food chain.
They have four players who were named to the NHL 23 top 50 players list, so you can be confident that your starting team is first-rate.
Dynamic right winger David Pastrnak is capable of some incredible offensive plays. On the opposite side, Brad Marchand is an organized defender who is just as devastating.
Charlie McAvoy is a solid right defender, while Patrice Bergeron has years of NHL experience at his disposal.
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Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche is the first group you ought to think about taking over in NHL 23 Franchise Mode.
The Colorado Avalanche finished the 21–22 season with an amazing 119 points, winning their fifth playoff championship.
On their journey to the Stanley Cup final, when they defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning, they easily overcame the Edmonton Oilers, the St. Louis Blues, and the Nashville Predators.
It is hardly surprising that the Avalanche had such a successful season last year when you look more closely at their squad.
One of the top centers in the game, Nathan MacKinnon has a 94 overall rating in NHL 23. He still has many years to play at the top of his ability at only 27 years old.
The Avalanche are fortunate to have Cale Makar, a young player who is already a superstar in the game and will only get better as he gets older, playing alongside him in right defense.
You may strengthen your team even further by adding Mikko Rantanen on the right wing and Gabriel Landeskog on the left before you begin your Franchise Mode game.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning, who finished second in the Stanley Cup last year, are the next team on this list.
The Lightning are the squad for you if you’re looking for one with strong defensive qualities and a deep roster to draw from. Only one other squad has five members that are ranked in the top 50.
They followed up their success from the 20-21 season, when they won the Conference and Stanley Cup, with a runners-up medal the previous year. Any NHL team finds it challenging to maintain that kind of consistency, which emphasizes how outstanding this squad is.
This ongoing success is also reflected in the Lightning statistics, which have access to some incredible players.
First of all, with a rating of 94 overall, Andrei Vasilevskiy is among the finest goalies in the game. You can deploy the Swedish powerhouse Victor Hedman in left defense in front of him.
However, Tampa has a lot to offer offensively as well, even though their image may have been established on their strong defense.
As usual, Nikita Kucherov will be a challenge, but you also have great options for playing center in Steven Stamkos and Brayden Point.
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers have had a long history of failure in the NHL despite playing for one of the most well-liked cities in the league.
Others may view it as a chance to change their fortunes and bring success back to New York. Some players may interpret this as a warning to stay away from playing for this squad.
If you are successful in putting a few wins under your belt early in the season, you will immediately see the support that this organization can acquire with a big stadium and fan base.
You can also create your club around some outstanding players from New York. They have the capable goaltender and team captain Igor Shesterkin, as well as the seasoned left winger Artemi Panarin and the promising young prospect Adam Fox in the right defense.
This team might soon establish itself as a force to be reckoned with with a few wise acquisitions made during the NHL draft.
Nashville Predators
Since the New Jersey Devils changed their name to the Predators in 1995, Nashville has had difficulty finding the level of success it would have desired. The best method to acclimate a team to a new state is to win championships, but Nashville has only been successful in doing so a few times, with a strong run from 2016 to 2018.
However, it might be time for you to make a change. You might consider this club as a chance to actually introduce ice hockey to Texas and strive to build on the prior years of achievement by winning more championships.
To accomplish these aims, you can rely on some very capable players in Nashville, particularly on the left side of the ice and on defense.
You have all the components of a very strong defense with Juuse Saros as your goaltender and Roman Josi playing in left defender. Nashville lacks a little offensive punch going forward, but Filip Forsberg can add some threat from the left wing.
This team might become competitive right away with a strong NHL draft, and you might finally provide the owners the success they’ve been yearning for since the state transition in 1995.
Final Reflections
You now have it. Managing seven fantastic clubs in NHL 23 Franchise Mode. You should now have a better notion of the kind of team you want to attempt managing in NHL Franchise Mode after reading this list.
In actuality, there are a ton of excellent possibilities, and we might have added more to our list.
Each squad possesses particular strengths and challenges. It is ultimately up to you as the manager to maximize the potential of each player at your disposal.
Regardless of the group you select, I hope you can guide them to more success and renown.