It’s a new year for the NHL franchise, as NHL 23 is now out worldwide. Superstar X-Factors and Zone Abilities were introduced into the NHL franchise in 2021, and this feature is back for another season. So, what are the different kind of Superstar X-Factors and Abilities that are available for this year? Let’s take a look.

All Zone X-Factors in NHL 23

These special zone abilities have been broken down into six categories: Skating, Shooting, Passing, Defending, Goaltending, and Hockey IQ. The full list is as follows:

Cover Athlete Zone Abilities

  • Skilled Up – Elite Lacrosse MovesRelentless – Great Off Balance Shots and Passes

Skating

  • Wheels – Elite Skating with PuckElite Edges – Elite Agility in Direction ChangesIn Reverse – Elite Back Skating AbilityAnkle Breaker – Elite Dekes at Higher Speed

Shooting

  • Make it Snappy – Elite Snap Shot in StrideShnipe – Elite Puck SettlingOne Tee – Elite One TimersThunderclap – Elite Slap Shot from PointHeatseeker – Elite Wrist ShotsBeauty Backhand – Elite BackhandShock and Awe – Elite Shooting out of Toe DragClose Quarters – Great in Close ShootingSeeing Eye – Great Shot through ScreensOff the Rush – Great Slap Shot on the Rush

Passing

  • Tape to Tape – Elite Passing Within VisionSend It – Elite Long PassingMagnetic – Elite Pass Reception and Puck Pick UpThird Eye – Elite Peripheral Passer

Defending

  • Yoink! – Elite Defensive Stick LiftsStick ‘Em Up – Elite Defensive StickShutdown – Great Rush Defending

Goaltending

  • Contortionist – Elite Wild Saves AbilityAll or Nothing – Elite Poke CheckingDialed In – Maximize Saves when on a RollPost to Post – Elite Post to Post SavesButterfly Effect – Elite Butterfly Goalie

Hockey IQ

  • Puck on a String – Elite Stick HandlingQuick Pick – Elite Puck InterceptionsAll Alone – Elite Breakaway FinishesQuick Draw – Elite Faceoff AbilityIt’s Tricky – Elite Trick ShootingCrease Crasher – Elite Rebound OpportunistBig Tipper – Elite Shot DeflectionsNo Contest – Elite puck battlingTruculence – Great HitterTotal Eclipse – Great Goalie ScreeningBack at Ya – Increase Payback to HittersUnstoppable Force – Great Strength with the PuckBouncer – Great Net BattlingBig Rig – Great Drives to Net

Superstar Abilities

Now here’s a look at the Superstar abilities:

  • Dialed In* – Boosts saves when on a rollButterfly Effect* – Great Butterfly goalieHandled It* – 1-on-1 saves boost team energyContortionist* – Great wild saves abilityLast Stand* – Great 1-on-1 savesWhirlwind* – Consecutive saves boost energyAdventurer* – Great goalie skatingSponge* – Great rebound controlAll or Nothing* – Great poke checkingPost to Post* – Great post to post savesX-Ray* – Great vision through screensHeatseeker – Great wrist shotsSeeing Eye – Great shot through screensSend It – Great long passingBig Rig – Great drives to netUnstoppable Force – Great strength with the puckNo Contest – Great puck battlingQuick Draw – Great faceoff abilityQuick Pick – Great puck interceptionAnkle Breaker – Great dekes at higher speedThird Eye – Great peripheral passerTape to Tape – Great passing within visionYoink! – Great defensive stick liftsPuck on a String – Great stick handlingOne Tee – Great one timersIt’s Tricky – Great trick shootingWheels – Great skating with puckShnipe – Great puck settlingBorn Leader – Boosts team energy on goalsTotal Eclipse – Great goalie screeningBig Tipper – Great shot deflectionsClose Quarters – Great in close shootingMagnetic – Great pass reception and puck pick upStick ‘Em Up – Great defensive stickBouncer – Great net battlingShutdown – Elite rush defendingIce Pack – Great shot blockingSpin-o-rama – Great spin-o-rama abilityBack at Ya – Increase payback to hittersShock and Awe – Great shooting out of toe dragIn Reverse – Great back skating abilityMake it Snappy – Great snap shot in strideElite Edges – Great agility in direction changesOff the Rush – Great slap shot on the rushTruculence – Great hitterBeauty Backhand – Great backhandCrease Crasher – Great rebound opportunistThunder Clap – Great slap shot from the pointAll Alone – Great breakaway finishesRelentless – Great off balance shots and passes

Note: * denotes goalie-only ability. Italics denotes returning ability.