On Thursday, we unveiled the player and team ratings for the Eastern Conference teams in NHL 13. For this year's edition, EA has changed the way they handed out the overall ratings for players, as well as teams.

How are the NHL 13 player ratings different from NHL 12? EA: Last year, overall ratings reflected a player's effectiveness based on their player type (ex. Sniper, Enforcer, Grinder, etc.). NHL 13 Overall ratings are based on a player's overall skill based on their position. Why the change? EA: It was a fan-requested change that ensured that overall ratings were more representative of a players skill level in real life. A players who is 90+ will feel drastically different than one who is rated 65. Examples: NHL 12 Parros was an 81 as his rating was based on his player type — enforcer, meaning that he was an above average enforcer. In NHL 13 Parros is an 69 overall based on his skill level as a forward. Chris Neil was an 82 (Grinder) last year, this year he's a 78. With this new overall ratings system, his rating didn't drop as significantly as Parros because he's still a skilled player who can check and score effectively.

For team ratings:

"We changed the team overalls for continuity. If you look at our 'potential' rating system and how we break down the each of the six skill ratings, it is all star based and we wanted to be consistent."

After the jump, the player and team ratings for the Western Conference.

(Click the team name for player rating graphic)

Anaheim Ducks (Offense: 3.5, Defense: 4, Goalies: 4): Corey Perry/Ryan Getzlaf (88), Bobby Ryan (86)

Calgary Flames (Offense: 4, Defense: 4.5, Goalies: 4.5): Miikka Kiprusoff (87), Jay Bouwmeester (86), Mike Cammalleri/Mark Giordano/Jarome Iginla (85)

Chicago Blackhawks (Offense: 4, Defense: 4.5, Goalies: 4): Jonathan Toews/Duncan Keith (90), Marian Hossa (89), Patrick Sharp (87)

Colorado Avalanche (Offense: 4, Defense: 4, Goalies: 4): Paul Stastny/Matt Duchene/Erik Johnson (85)

Columbus Blue Jackets (Offense: 3.5, Defense: 4, Goalies: 4): R.J. Umberger/Jack Johnson/Fedor Tyutin (84), Brandon Dubinsky/James Wisniewski (83)

Dallas Stars (Offense: 4, Defense: 4, Goalies: 4.5): Jamie Benn/Derek Roy/Kari Lehtonen (86), Loui Eriksson (85)

Detroit Red Wings (Offense: 4, Defense: 4.5, Goalies: 4): Pavel Datsyuk (95), Henrik Zetterberg (89), Niklas Kronwall (88)

Edmonton Oilers (Offense: 4, Defense: 4.5, Goalies: 3.5): Ryan Whitney (85), Taylor Hall/Nick Schultz/Jordan Eberle (84)

Los Angeles Kings (Offense: 4, Defense: 4.5, Goalies: 4.5): Jonathan Quick (90), Mike Richards/Drew Doughty (87), Simon Gagne/Anze Kopitar/Jeff Carter (86)

Minnesota Wild (Offense: 4, Defense: 4, Goalies: 4.5): Zach Parise (90), Ryan Suter (88), Niklas Backstrom (87), Mikko Koivu (86)

Nashville Predators (Offense: 4, Defense: 4, Goalies: 4.5): Shea Weber, Pekka Rinne (89)

Phoenix Coyotes (Offense: 3.5, Defense: 4.5, Goalies: 4): Zbynek Michalek (86), Mike Smith (84), Keith Yandle/Derek Morris (83)

San Jose Sharks (Offense: 4.5, Defense: 4.5, Goalies: 4): Joe Thornton/Patrick Marleau (88), Dan Boyle/Brent Burns (86)

St. Louis Blues (Offense: 4, Defense: 4.5, Goalies: 4.5): Alex Pietrangelo (87), Jaroslav Halak (85), David Backes/David Perron/T.J. Oshie/Kevin Shattenkirk (84)

Vancouver Canucks (Offense: 4.5, Defense: 4.5, Goalies: 4.5): Daniel Sedin (91), Henrik Sedin (90), Roberto Luongo (89), Ryan Kesler/Dan Hamhuis/Alex Edler (88)

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy