10 Best Perks For Centers In NHL 21

In NHL 21, players can select from a wide variety of Traits and Specialties to add to their online player builds. Depending on how gamers wish to customize their loadout, they can use these perks to craft a jack-of-all-trades or specialize in a few key skills.

Traits will have two versions of each from which to select and will raise certain attributes while lowering others based on which version the player decides to equip. Specialties will boost particular abilities in specific situations. Centers will benefit from perks that help them transition the puck, help out the defense, and crash the net.

10 Deflector 2

This perk will increase the player’s “Hand-Eye” and “Offensive Awareness” by 5 and 3 points. It will also decrease the player’s “Balance” and “Durability” by 2 and 4 points.

“Deflector” will allow the user to redirect their teammate’s shots on the net more effectively. Against even the most talented goaltenders, deflected shots can find their way to the back of the net. The save animation the goalie makes on the initial shot may be insufficient to stop the deflection. “The Grinder” build with this Trait equipped can achieve a maximum “Hand-Eye” attribute of 91, and centers will most often find themselves in a position to deflect pucks.

9 Defensive Minded 1

This perk will increase the player’s “Stick Checking,” “Defensive Awareness,” and “Discipline” by 2, 3, and 2 points. It will also decrease the player’s “Wrist Shot Accuracy” and “Offensive Awareness” by 4 and 3 points.

“Defensive Minded” will allow the user to make defensive plays with their stick more effectively, and reduce the likelihood of taking a penalty while doing so. Centers will be responsible for defending the slot while in their own zone and will benefit from the improved ability to break up passes. Popular build choices for the center position, such as “Grinder” and “Two-Way Forward,” can use this Trait to effectively act as a third defenceman for their team.

8 Hockey Sense 1

This perk will increase the player’s “Offensive Awareness” and “Defensive Awareness” by 4 points each. It will also decrease the player’s “Agility” by 3 points.

“Hockey Sense” will allow the user to pass and shoot more effectively, and get their stick on loose pucks more easily on both ends of the ice. This is a great Trait for “Two-Way Forwards” to use to maximize their transition ability. The deduction to the player’s “Agility” is a small price to pay considering this perk improves almost all of the player’s actions with or around the puck. The best NHL 21 players to get on the team will usually have very high “Awareness” stats.

7 Puck Handler 2

This perk will increase the player’s “Puck Control” and “Balance” by 4 and 2 points. It will also decrease the player’s Acceleration and Endurance by 2 and 4 points.

“Puck Handler” will allow the user to more effectively retain control of the puck when being body checked, stick checked, or while deking. While wingers will typically have speedier builds, like the “Dangler” or “Sniper,” centers will likely want to play a more physical brand of offense with a “Power Forward” or “Grinder.” Whether controlling the puck along the boards down low or steadily outmuscling the defense, this Trait will allow centers to set the pace of play.

6 Back Checker 2

This perk will increase the player’s “Stick Checking” and “Speed” by 4 and 2 points. It will also decrease the player’s “Wrist Shot Accuracy” and “Balance” by 5 and 3 points.

“Back Checker” will allow the user to skate faster and stick check more effectively. Centers will often find themselves in a prime position to disrupt the opposing team’s breakout on the backcheck. Despite the name, this Trait will benefit the player not only when backchecking, but whenever the player is trying to use their skating and stick to make good defensive plays. Several underrated NHL players are often more impactful without the puck than with it.

5 Core Balance 2

This perk will increase the player’s “Balance” by 5 points. It will also decrease the player’s “Body Checking” and “Durability” by 3 and 4 points.

“Core Balance” will allow the user to brush off physical contact from opposing players more easily. Despite only increasing a single stat, this Trait is still a worthwhile pickup for certain center builds and playstyles. The 5 point attribute increase is significant, and full-sized Power Forwards can combine this perk with the “Crusher Trait” to achieve a whopping 96 “Balance.”

4 Cardio Master 2

This perk will increase the player’s “Endurance” and “Durability” by 5 and 3 points. It will also decrease the player’s “Deking” and “Balance” by 4 and 3 points.

“Cardio Master” will allow the user to regain their stamina more quickly, make them less likely to endure injuries, and recover from injuries more quickly. Running out of stamina negatively impacts all of the player’s actions with and without the puck. Centers with builds, such as “Grinders” or “Two-Way Forwards” can utilize this Trait to forecheck and backcheck with full intensity without being as concerned by the risk of exhaustion.

3 Deflection Master

This Specialty will increase the player’s “Hand-Eye” stat when attempting to deflect a shot on goal. While wingers typically set up along the boards and in the high slot, centers will be depended on to crash the net and make life difficult on opposing goalies.

“Grinders” have the ideal combination of size and base stats for crashing the net and deflecting shots, though most forward builds with the proper perk selections can be effective in this role. Holding the “vision control” button on the controller while in front of the opposing net will cause the player to face their teammate if they have the puck, increasing the likelihood of deflecting their shot.

2 Rebound

This Specialty will slightly increase the player’s shooting stats when shooting a rebound shot. Along with deflection, rebounds are another very difficult shot for even the best goalies in the NHL to deal with.

Power Forwards likely have the best combination of shooting and physicality for scoring off of rebounds. While some rebounds will be “gimme” goals with the netminder completely out of position, oftentimes the ability to accurately and quickly shoot through any sudden openings will be needed. Positioning oneself on the weak side of the opposing team’s goalie is often a great place to score on loose rebounds.

1 Penalty Kill Specialist

This Specialty will increase the player’s “Stick Checking,” “Defensive Awareness,” and “Shot Blocking” attributes when on the penalty kill. This is a terrific perk that boosts some of the most important defensive stats at a time when the ability to defend is most needed.

For players who pride themselves in being a prototypical defensive center, this is likely the ideal Specialty. Without the luxury of experienced squadmates to play with, gamers may find themselves on a team with penalty-prone teammates. “The Enforcer” and “Enforcer Defenseman” builds, with the two lowest base “Discipline” stats in the game, are often favored by hit-happy players who take multiple penalties per game. For those who’d rather win the Selke than the Art Ross, pick this perk.

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