Creating the ULTIMATE NHL 21 Wishlist

AdamoR61

Registered User
May 16, 2019
84
47
Being a bored Canadian teen in the middle of self isolation, playing video games is one of the things I and many others do most. My personal favourite video game series is EA Sports NHL. Obviously the newest game NHL 20, is the latest and greatest game from the franchise...or is it? How is it that every year it seems that we take steps backwards? Features such as GM Connected, Winter Classic mode, EASHL practice, interactive Be A Pro and many other features have been taken out of the game for what it seems like no reason. Therefore, I went out and watched/read every NHL 21 wishlist I could to take the ideas of the community combined with my own to create the ULTIMATE NHL 21 WISHLIST. Keep in mind that I created this realistically speaking. It isn’t realistic to implement a ‘Be a Ref” mode or even a drive the zamboni mode from NHL 2k. I also left Ultimate Team out because I personally do not know enough about that mode and EA is already going to make many changes to that mode since it is their money maker. This list is broken up into 2 categories, SPECIFIC (where it is only for one mode) and GENERAL (where the feature could be applied into multiple game modes).

Even though this took me weeks, I’m sure I missed a whole bunch so add to this thread with your ideas and comments!

SPECIFIC

Online Specific Modes:
ModeDescription
EASHL PracticeAllow you and your 6s or 3s EASHL team to take the ice at the teams arena to practice plays and build chemistry between teammates.
Online ONES with friendsAllow for you are your friends to matchmake in a private online ONES game with you and 3 other friends where you can pick the difficulty of the goalie so that it is not on beginner mode like it is in NHL 20.
Private EASHL tournamentsFor those who play competitive and recreational EASHL like myself, I would like to be able to create and join private EASHl tournaments where I could take my team and play in a playoff style tournament against my friends other clubs. This feature could be used for private leagues such as LG or FBHL.
GM ConnectedIt was inevitable to add GM Connected, a mode that was in the game 8 years ago where you could play franchise mode with my friends in the same league. Nothing else to add but this is must have for hardcore franchise mode players like meyself.
Online All Star Team UpThis mode would be a mashup of NBA 2k’s “all star team up” mode with the NHl’s online team play. Allow 12 players to queue into a lobby, lock onto a position and choose any current or some former players to play in an EASHL game style with their favourite players.
Goalie controlled by player when pulledVery self explanatory, if we pull our goalie in 6s, let the goalie control that extra attacker.
Ping SystemSay everyone is readyed up while one person is looking at their phone or eating - make a little noise or make their controller vibrate to tell them to ready up. We are ALL guilty of this, don’t lie.
WOC unlocking systemAllow for the user to trade jerseys and animations with others. I am a Leaf fan with all Bruins gear but my friend is a Bruins fan with all Leaf gear then we should be able to trade.
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Franchise Mode Specific:
FeatureDescription
Counter OffersWhy isn’t this already a thing? It has been in sports video games for literally decades. If I propose a trade, why doesn't the other GM counter offer it?
Analytics/More StatsI want analytics to play a bigger role in acquiring and dealing players. Stats like GAR, WAR, RAPM, xG, CF, FF should all be in the game like they are in the MLB and NBA 2k franchise.
Draft BustsI think that if I draft a player 5th overall and rush him into the NHL as a 70 overall that it should hinder his growth. It seems like if I draft a player in the top 5 he becomes an 85 overall or higher no matter what. This is often not the case in the real league as plenty of top 5 picks don’t always pan out.
ECHLAs a Leaf fan, I know that the Leafs use their ECHL team in Newfoundland as a developmental team for prospects and staff. I also find that my AHL team in the game ends up with like 9-10 healthy scratches and I would like for me to be able to send those players down to the ECHL.
Real Life InsidersInstead of the fake dude who hashtags every rumour, have Elliote Friedman or Bob Mackenzie break news and spread rumours.
Power RankingsEvery week or so have a power rankings to see who is hot and cold around the league.
Improved growth/decline stageI dislike how players like Joe Thornton and Jason Spezza all have monster seasons and become 84 overalls as 35+ year olds. It just doesn’t make sense. Have these players gain poise but lose speed and agility rapidly
Conditional Picks, NTC/NMCs and Performance BonusesIn the NHL, a lot of trades happen where draft picks are moved conditionally and it would make sense to put them in the game. Performance bonuses will give a player more incentive to do whatever their bonus is. Also, No trade clauses are also a huge thing in the NHL that shouldn’t be too hard for EA to implement.
Real/Custom CoachesI’m not too sure if they are allowed to do this one but it would be nice to at least customize my coach.
Jersey ModificationsI think it would be nice once in a while to redesign my team's jerseys after several years of wearing them.
Improved Coaching and Line DeploymentNHL teams have been running 4 forwards and 1 defencemen on their powerplay units for years now. In game they should be deployed as units and not 2 D and 3 F. Same goes for the PK, teams don’t just have a fixed 8 penalty killers that go out. Let us just create special team units that could be deployed as one.
Banner Raising/Jersey RetirementLet’s face it, when Crosby retires, 87 will be retired in Pittsburgh forever and I would like to see that ceremony in game. Another thing that I would like is if my team wins the cup, the next season on opening night I want to witness that banner be raised to the rafters
Keeping Track of more Data/RecordsI want to be able to click any random game and be able to see the box score for it. I would also like it so that I can access any record whether it be team or player. This includes being able to see who won the cup longer than 5 years back
Trade Deadline Rework I would personally like to see something like a 1 hour (let the user pick in settings) timer during the trade deadline. This would give the user the feeling of being an actual GM knowing that there is a deadline for all trades and deals to happen.
Realistic trade timesAllow trades post deadline, during playoffs and resign phases like they are in the NHL.
Custom Tactics and breakoutsLet me pick the way that I want my players to play, if I want say a guy like Zach Hyman to fully forecheck but having someone like Auston Matthews who I want to protect play high in the OZone then I should be able to. Also custom breakouts from NHL 14 were fun and I would like to see them comeback. That being said, get rid of the stupid “line chemistry” setting and let the user discover what works for their team and what doesn’t
Secondary PositionsMany players in the NHL don’t only play one position. Take a guy like William Nylander for example. He played RW, LW and C all over the last 2 seasons. Brent Burns literally played forward and defence. Make it so that I could play my players in their secondary position. If they don’t have this secondary position but I put them there anyways then their play should be hindered.
Start Today featureWe should be able to start our franchise modes on the date it is in real life like you can in Madden and 2k with the updated stats, ratings and injuries.
International and College Free AgentsAs I am making this the Leafs just signed Alexander Barabanov and Mikko Lehtonen. Let us interview players from overseas to see if they would make the jump to North America. I remember when Jimmy Vesey was the must get player from college. It would be cool to see something like that get added into the game
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Be A Pro Specific:
FeatureDescription
Start in EuropeHere’s one that I haven’t seen before actually. Instead of starting in the CHL, why can’t I be a key contributor in the SHL or Liiga before getting drafted to NHL. Or maybe even play in the Champions League before getting drafted.
Interactive StorylineI personally don’t even want a “The Journey” type of thing from FIFA because of how little control I really had. That was literally a Marcus Rashford simulator. It was dull and very boring. Cut scenes of my player and a general storyline would be nice. Something along the lines of me starting as a 17 year old deciding to either go overseas like Auston Matthews or take the traditional CHL route and be drafted to a CHL team. They could have cut scenes of interactions such as being promoted up a line or being named captain, or pre-game speeches.
Better DraftInstead of the drafting progress being 10 seconds no matter what, I want the anticipation to build of seeing who goes before. Let me watch my player walk up to the podium if he is a 1st round pick. This should be optional in settings or on a button to just “skip to pick”.
MediaPart of being an NHL star is talking to the media and creating a personality for yourself. Even if it's not a cutscene, allow me to pick my personality through the answers I give to the media.
EndorsementsI can’t be the only one who picks all CCM or Bauer with all of my equipment just to feel like I am signed with a company. EA make this happen, it can’t be that hard.
TrainingDuring the offseason and even during the season, let me workout with my player to grow him. If I want my guy to get faster then have me doing sprinting and power skating drills manually. If the user doesn’t want to do it manually then they should just be able to simulate it as it currently is but only gaining half XP.
RelationshipsLet me grow my relationships with players and front office members that will actually affect team chemistry.
ContractsIf I score 50 goals in a contract year but my overall is 82 then I am only getting like $2.5 million for 2 years. Let me negotiate my contract and other GMs should start off with realistic offers.
Becoming GM when retiredPretty self explanatory here, nothing much else to say but I think this would be cool.
Trades in the CHLIn the CHL trades actually happen, if a team is trying to make a playoff run then they should be able to trade for good veterans in exchange for millions of picks like they do in real life. This includes having my Be a Pro player getting traded
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GENERAL

Mode/FeatureDescriptionGame Modes Applicable
Winter ClassicEven if it's just in a generic football stadium outdoors, I do not care. Put this in the game. Another cool add would be letting me create Winter Classic jerseys for my team in GM mode if we were to play in the Winter Classic.GM Mode, Play Now, Be A Pro.
Roster SharingPersonally, this would be a top 3 most important thing to add to this game however unfortunately there is a very real chance it will never happen. The updated rosters are one of EA’s main selling points and having this feature would defeat that purpose. We should be able to share rosters and draft classes like you can in every other sports game. (except FIFA I think)GM Mode, Play Now, Be a Pro
Much Improved Player LikenessI can understand how some AHL bums wouldn’t have their faces scanned into the game but how is it possible that a player like John Carlson isn;t scanned into the game? How is it possible the cover athlete of NHL 20 hasn’t had an updated face scan since his rookie season 4 years ago? It’s time for every single NHL player to have a realistic and UPDATED face scan, can’t say we don’t have the technology for it.Everything
Player TendenciesWho in EA thought it was a good idea to just give Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson of all people ridiculous magical shooting tendencies so that he is just a consistent 30 goal scorer no matter what. Like they do in 2k, have editable player tendencies for things like shooting, passing, blocking shots, deking, etc.Everything
Custom SoundtrackMinor but could be a thing, instead of me turning off the EA sound track so that I could hear my Spotify through my PS4, just let me upload my playlist to the game. If this feature is added, let us use our music as a custom goal horn.Everything
World JuniorsEven though EA doesn’t have the rights to the IIHF, I think it would be cool if we could play in what is my favourite hockey tournament. Call something like the “World Under 20s” or something to that nature and have that actual tournament in the game. This could be in Be A Pro where my player makes Team Canada and competes for the gold or in GM mode where I can use this tournament as a tool to scout playersBe a Pro, GM mode, Tournaments
TournamentsMany didn’t know this but custom tournaments aren’t a thing in NHL 20. You can’t play the World Cup of hockey or even an international tournament in general. That is an absolute joke. Let us at least have that but if the developers are feeling generous, let us play in an IIHF world championship type in Be a Pro in April/May.Tournaments, Be a Pro
Warm-UpsIn NHL 12, my player was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers when they still sucked but my 8 year old self still remembers my player skating out to warm up with the lights dimmed and the music blasting. It got me hyped and I would like something similar to that in NHL 21. Let us shoot around on the goalie or even an open net during pregame warmups for like a minute or so just to have the feeling of being an professional hockey player.EASHL, Be a Pro
Scoreboard and PresentationFirst of all, this isn’t football meaning the scoreboard goes on the top of my screen. Whether it be in the corner like ESPN or middle like Sportsnet, I don’t care whoever suggested puting the scoreboard on the bottom deserves a stern talking to. That being said, the presentation this year was really good but hearing this new animated like commentator made me miss some of the calls from Doc Emrick and Eddie Olzcyk. Bringing in a guy in the NHL with an icon such as Joe Bowen would go a long way to making this feel like an NHL simulator.Everything
Improved AIThis goes without being said every year but some more AI logic improvement would help the game a lot. Things like gap control, breakouts and repetitiveness need some serious improvements. Same with shootouts and breakaways; I had always wondered why the AI’s have always been so bad on these when I feel like it would be the easiest thing to code. (Now that's just me and my basic grade 11 computer science knowledge)Everything
Improved AnimationsPicking up the puck always is tough but improvements to that would go a long way. Passing seems weak oftentimes, saucer passes rarely work, more dekes would allow us to be more creative, rebounds need to be much more realistic but most of all, poke checking. I think they should completely overhaul the poke checking system in general because it just seems unrealistic. It’s a penalty 99% of the time if you do it from behind to someone. Anyone who has played hockey in real life will tell you that it is near impossible to spam pokecheck and skate backwards at full speed. They should make poke checks a high risks but when they work high rewards. If a defender misses a pokecheck in real life then you best believe that they are either getting dangled or getting made look like a pilon. These aren’t the only things that could use improvements but they would definitely help.Everything
Breaking the glassIt was always so much fun as a kid to be able to break the glass whether it be a Shea Weber slapshot or a Zdeno Chara hit, EA needs to bring this simple feature back into the gameEverything
CelebrationsThey have literally been the same since NHL 15, and it's time for an updated celebration menu. I want it to be like FIFA where different button combinations do different celebrations.Everything
Goalie Mask EditorIf NHL 2k11 on the Wii could do it in 2010, then I think EA Sports NHL could do it on the PS5 for NHL 21. Even just something like 15 different templates with and we just use the colour palette, it would be better then the same generic masks we’ve had since like NHL 11.GM Mode, EASHL, Be a Pro, Custom Rosters
SuspensionsIf a player lays a dirty hit or if they are in the CHL and fight more than 3 times a season then there should be an actual suspension system.Be a Pro, GM mode
Nintendo Switch/PCIf this game were to come to the Nintendo Switch then I might just go out and purchase one for myself. Games like FIFA and 2k are already on the switch and it's time for the NHL series to hope on the trend.Everything
More International Leagues and TeamsObviously the NCAA wouldn’t allow this and I’m not too sure if the KHL either but to see more leagues in the game would be a nice little touch. Add leagues like the Swedish and Finnish 2nd league for Be a Pro too. There should also be more international teams such as South Korea, Lithuania and Hungary.Everything
Improved Draft Interview StageFor GM mode, allow for more draft interviews with more questions. As for Be a Pro, let me get interviewed by however many teams are interested in me like in NHL 14. Let me give them answers that will make me seem more enticing for them or answers that will turn them in the wrong direction.Be a Pro, GM mode
Goalie injuriesDuring play it is literally impossible for goalies to get injured. Make this feature optional for offline game modesEverything
One-Touch PassingOne touch passing could make for some sick highlight reel passing plays. If they could add one-timers in NHL 08, then they could certainly do this.Everything
Custom TeamsWhen it comes to customization, NHL is actually really good compared to other EA games but it could always be improved. One thing I would like is for the user to be able to write their custom arena name around the circle. Custom and uploadable logos like there are in NBA 2k would be a dream but I doubt that happening.GM Mode, Custom Teams, EASHL
Player DNAThis option is in 2k, it is basically where you can take the looks, ratings and/or tendencies of a player and apply them to a CAP. This should also be shareable for users to other users.Create a Player, EASHL
Updated Ratings systemTop prospects in the CHL will have like 70s for skating while skaters in the NHL who are awful skaters will have 80s for skating. Get rid of that. Players who are drafted top 3 and are NHL ready normally have all the skills (especially skating) just lack strength and poise, make it like that. Everything, Mainly GM mode
CrossplayPS4 players should be able to play the same game as XBOX players. This game on the PS5 should have the technology for crossplayEverything
Quarantine ModeMaybe add a setting that would make users play in an empty arena with no fans. It would be silly but I feel like it could be cool to look back at this mode in the future to see how this pandemic has affected the lives of many. Not a necessity to the game but would be a neat little thing.Everything
Women’s International TeamsI understand that women’s hockey is nowhere near NHL talent but it is still hockey and should deserve a little more respect. Don’t tell me you don’t remember that 2014 Olympics final! Add maybe 6-8 women’s teams to the game. No reason not too, would be a great PR move by EA.Everything
More Arenas and Throwback ArenasI would like to see more AHL, CHL, SHL, etc arenas in the game to give it a more real feel. Also a neat feature would be to play in old arenas like Joe Louis or Maple Leaf GardensEverything
NHL 21 CoverFinally, over the last 10 NHL games, the cover athlete has been a Canaidan on an American team 7 times. Therefore it only makes sense for Nathan Mackinnon to don the cover of NHL 21, he is a young, Canadian, recognizable face playing on an American team in a diehard hockey market. Not to mention the Avs colours look so sick on the cover!Cover
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vandymeer13

Registered User
Feb 8, 2017
797
421
Iowa
I only play season mode for nhl ahl and then make a nhl alumni season mode.
With that they should give you more control how realistic you want it to be.
How they say a enforcer only fights rarely is idiotic. I remember tom sesito leading the league in pims and top 10 in fighting majors and they had him fighting never.
Along with this a updated fighting engine. Allow more then just two fights in a simulated game during the season. I can live with 5 a game but prefer unlimited.
I hate how low penalty minutes totals are. No toughguy who has fighting often should have less then 60 pims it's ridiculous.
I usually add guys from the echl ahl to nhl rosters to add toughness to all teams and have to edit them because ea does a piss poor job with all of that.
I also like being able to send players down to echl in ahl mode. And being able to play in outdoor game during the season. And editing goalie masks besides just the two per team or generic plain ones they have.
 

jprenkert

Registered User
Mar 7, 2014
656
337
Metro Detroit
Would love the ability to send guys to ECHL affiliate, instead of having prospects "sitting/scratched" in AHL. Would love for them to focus on the GM and BAP mode and make it immensely better. How bout some new animations for faceoffs, fighting, crowds, between whistle play, etc. Swear its been the same since 14.

Absolutely agree on the PK groups. Tired of rolling the same 8 guys out there and have them be dead tired. Rotate guys out if energy is off. Is it that hard to write code for?

Scouting is a bit better in 20 from 18, but takes a bit to get used to. Can we get a system similar to NCAA football? Get so many choices per week to scout and unlock more info the more you scout. Draft Interviews for the players is pointless. If you have scouted these guys well enough, you already know the answers and everything is stock answers and usually all the same.

How bout a better way of dealing with Free Agency. Can we get a something to show how much interest a FA has in an offer and where it stacks up with other offers given? Let alone, ability to increase offer or pull offer instead of blinding offering numerous guys and not allowed to pull back if one of them sign.

Coaching needs to be upgraded. Why would a coach who is consider AHL assistant coach, refuse a job offer of being a NHL associate coach? And trying to find a coach is insanely difficult and broken.

Would love counter offering by the computer and more trades around the draft. Why cant some guys slide a good amount of spots? Why cant you get some type of dialogue from other GM's on players on your team. Like "Hey interested in moving so and so, cost, etc"
 

AdamoR61

Registered User
May 16, 2019
84
47
Would love the ability to send guys to ECHL affiliate, instead of having prospects "sitting/scratched" in AHL. Would love for them to focus on the GM and BAP mode and make it immensely better. How bout some new animations for faceoffs, fighting, crowds, between whistle play, etc. Swear its been the same since 14.

Absolutely agree on the PK groups. Tired of rolling the same 8 guys out there and have them be dead tired. Rotate guys out if energy is off. Is it that hard to write code for?

Scouting is a bit better in 20 from 18, but takes a bit to get used to. Can we get a system similar to NCAA football? Get so many choices per week to scout and unlock more info the more you scout. Draft Interviews for the players is pointless. If you have scouted these guys well enough, you already know the answers and everything is stock answers and usually all the same.

How bout a better way of dealing with Free Agency. Can we get a something to show how much interest a FA has in an offer and where it stacks up with other offers given? Let alone, ability to increase offer or pull offer instead of blinding offering numerous guys and not allowed to pull back if one of them sign.

Coaching needs to be upgraded. Why would a coach who is consider AHL assistant coach, refuse a job offer of being a NHL associate coach? And trying to find a coach is insanely difficult and broken.

Would love counter offering by the computer and more trades around the draft. Why cant some guys slide a good amount of spots? Why cant you get some type of dialogue from other GM's on players on your team. Like "Hey interested in moving so and so, cost, etc"
couldn't agree more man!
 

NHL WAR

Registered User
Sep 29, 2018
959
1,176
If they are going to stick with the coaching/ chemistry system, I'd like to see a beginning/ end of year interview with the coach where you can get them to switch one preference. For example, switch 2nd pair defense from hold the line to pinch. Or, if you are top heavy, tell them to roll 3 forward lines instead of 4. I'm up to 2040 and I can count on one hand the amount of players that fit in my coach's 2nd and 3rd d-pairs.

And you make a good point about player aging. I've seen so many guys all of a sudden turn into 45 goal, 95 point scorers at 36.
 

CapSpace

Caufield is lit
Nov 25, 2013
4,054
4,164
Near Montreal
Being a bored Canadian teen in the middle of self isolation, playing video games is one of the things I and many others do most. My personal favourite video game series is EA Sports NHL. Obviously the newest game NHL 20, is the latest and greatest game from the franchise...or is it? How is it that every year it seems that we take steps backwards? Features such as GM Connected, Winter Classic mode, EASHL practice, interactive Be A Pro and many other features have been taken out of the game for what it seems like no reason. Therefore, I went out and watched/read every NHL 21 wishlist I could to take the ideas of the community combined with my own to create the ULTIMATE NHL 21 WISHLIST. Keep in mind that I created this realistically speaking. It isn’t realistic to implement a ‘Be a Ref” mode or even a drive the zamboni mode from NHL 2k. I also left Ultimate Team out because I personally do not know enough about that mode and EA is already going to make many changes to that mode since it is their money maker. This list is broken up into 2 categories, SPECIFIC (where it is only for one mode) and GENERAL (where the feature could be applied into multiple game modes).

Even though this took me weeks, I’m sure I missed a whole bunch so add to this thread with your ideas and comments!

SPECIFIC

Online Specific Modes:
ModeDescription
EASHL PracticeAllow you and your 6s or 3s EASHL team to take the ice at the teams arena to practice plays and build chemistry between teammates.
Online ONES with friendsAllow for you are your friends to matchmake in a private online ONES game with you and 3 other friends where you can pick the difficulty of the goalie so that it is not on beginner mode like it is in NHL 20.
Private EASHL tournamentsFor those who play competitive and recreational EASHL like myself, I would like to be able to create and join private EASHl tournaments where I could take my team and play in a playoff style tournament against my friends other clubs. This feature could be used for private leagues such as LG or FBHL.
GM ConnectedIt was inevitable to add GM Connected, a mode that was in the game 8 years ago where you could play franchise mode with my friends in the same league. Nothing else to add but this is must have for hardcore franchise mode players like meyself.
Online All Star Team UpThis mode would be a mashup of NBA 2k’s “all star team up” mode with the NHl’s online team play. Allow 12 players to queue into a lobby, lock onto a position and choose any current or some former players to play in an EASHL game style with their favourite players.
Goalie controlled by player when pulledVery self explanatory, if we pull our goalie in 6s, let the goalie control that extra attacker.
Ping SystemSay everyone is readyed up while one person is looking at their phone or eating - make a little noise or make their controller vibrate to tell them to ready up. We are ALL guilty of this, don’t lie.
WOC unlocking systemAllow for the user to trade jerseys and animations with others. I am a Leaf fan with all Bruins gear but my friend is a Bruins fan with all Leaf gear then we should be able to trade.
[TBODY] [/TBODY]


Franchise Mode Specific:
FeatureDescription
Counter OffersWhy isn’t this already a thing? It has been in sports video games for literally decades. If I propose a trade, why doesn't the other GM counter offer it?
Analytics/More StatsI want analytics to play a bigger role in acquiring and dealing players. Stats like GAR, WAR, RAPM, xG, CF, FF should all be in the game like they are in the MLB and NBA 2k franchise.
Draft BustsI think that if I draft a player 5th overall and rush him into the NHL as a 70 overall that it should hinder his growth. It seems like if I draft a player in the top 5 he becomes an 85 overall or higher no matter what. This is often not the case in the real league as plenty of top 5 picks don’t always pan out.
ECHLAs a Leaf fan, I know that the Leafs use their ECHL team in Newfoundland as a developmental team for prospects and staff. I also find that my AHL team in the game ends up with like 9-10 healthy scratches and I would like for me to be able to send those players down to the ECHL.
Real Life InsidersInstead of the fake dude who hashtags every rumour, have Elliote Friedman or Bob Mackenzie break news and spread rumours.
Power RankingsEvery week or so have a power rankings to see who is hot and cold around the league.
Improved growth/decline stageI dislike how players like Joe Thornton and Jason Spezza all have monster seasons and become 84 overalls as 35+ year olds. It just doesn’t make sense. Have these players gain poise but lose speed and agility rapidly
Conditional Picks, NTC/NMCs and Performance BonusesIn the NHL, a lot of trades happen where draft picks are moved conditionally and it would make sense to put them in the game. Performance bonuses will give a player more incentive to do whatever their bonus is. Also, No trade clauses are also a huge thing in the NHL that shouldn’t be too hard for EA to implement.
Real/Custom CoachesI’m not too sure if they are allowed to do this one but it would be nice to at least customize my coach.
Jersey ModificationsI think it would be nice once in a while to redesign my team's jerseys after several years of wearing them.
Improved Coaching and Line DeploymentNHL teams have been running 4 forwards and 1 defencemen on their powerplay units for years now. In game they should be deployed as units and not 2 D and 3 F. Same goes for the PK, teams don’t just have a fixed 8 penalty killers that go out. Let us just create special team units that could be deployed as one.
Banner Raising/Jersey RetirementLet’s face it, when Crosby retires, 87 will be retired in Pittsburgh forever and I would like to see that ceremony in game. Another thing that I would like is if my team wins the cup, the next season on opening night I want to witness that banner be raised to the rafters
Keeping Track of more Data/RecordsI want to be able to click any random game and be able to see the box score for it. I would also like it so that I can access any record whether it be team or player. This includes being able to see who won the cup longer than 5 years back
Trade Deadline Rework I would personally like to see something like a 1 hour (let the user pick in settings) timer during the trade deadline. This would give the user the feeling of being an actual GM knowing that there is a deadline for all trades and deals to happen.
Realistic trade timesAllow trades post deadline, during playoffs and resign phases like they are in the NHL.
Custom Tactics and breakoutsLet me pick the way that I want my players to play, if I want say a guy like Zach Hyman to fully forecheck but having someone like Auston Matthews who I want to protect play high in the OZone then I should be able to. Also custom breakouts from NHL 14 were fun and I would like to see them comeback. That being said, get rid of the stupid “line chemistry” setting and let the user discover what works for their team and what doesn’t
Secondary PositionsMany players in the NHL don’t only play one position. Take a guy like William Nylander for example. He played RW, LW and C all over the last 2 seasons. Brent Burns literally played forward and defence. Make it so that I could play my players in their secondary position. If they don’t have this secondary position but I put them there anyways then their play should be hindered.
Start Today featureWe should be able to start our franchise modes on the date it is in real life like you can in Madden and 2k with the updated stats, ratings and injuries.
International and College Free AgentsAs I am making this the Leafs just signed Alexander Barabanov and Mikko Lehtonen. Let us interview players from overseas to see if they would make the jump to North America. I remember when Jimmy Vesey was the must get player from college. It would be cool to see something like that get added into the game
[TBODY] [/TBODY]
Be A Pro Specific:
FeatureDescription
Start in EuropeHere’s one that I haven’t seen before actually. Instead of starting in the CHL, why can’t I be a key contributor in the SHL or Liiga before getting drafted to NHL. Or maybe even play in the Champions League before getting drafted.
Interactive StorylineI personally don’t even want a “The Journey” type of thing from FIFA because of how little control I really had. That was literally a Marcus Rashford simulator. It was dull and very boring. Cut scenes of my player and a general storyline would be nice. Something along the lines of me starting as a 17 year old deciding to either go overseas like Auston Matthews or take the traditional CHL route and be drafted to a CHL team. They could have cut scenes of interactions such as being promoted up a line or being named captain, or pre-game speeches.
Better DraftInstead of the drafting progress being 10 seconds no matter what, I want the anticipation to build of seeing who goes before. Let me watch my player walk up to the podium if he is a 1st round pick. This should be optional in settings or on a button to just “skip to pick”.
MediaPart of being an NHL star is talking to the media and creating a personality for yourself. Even if it's not a cutscene, allow me to pick my personality through the answers I give to the media.
EndorsementsI can’t be the only one who picks all CCM or Bauer with all of my equipment just to feel like I am signed with a company. EA make this happen, it can’t be that hard.
TrainingDuring the offseason and even during the season, let me workout with my player to grow him. If I want my guy to get faster then have me doing sprinting and power skating drills manually. If the user doesn’t want to do it manually then they should just be able to simulate it as it currently is but only gaining half XP.
RelationshipsLet me grow my relationships with players and front office members that will actually affect team chemistry.
ContractsIf I score 50 goals in a contract year but my overall is 82 then I am only getting like $2.5 million for 2 years. Let me negotiate my contract and other GMs should start off with realistic offers.
Becoming GM when retiredPretty self explanatory here, nothing much else to say but I think this would be cool.
Trades in the CHLIn the CHL trades actually happen, if a team is trying to make a playoff run then they should be able to trade for good veterans in exchange for millions of picks like they do in real life. This includes having my Be a Pro player getting traded
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GENERAL

Mode/FeatureDescriptionGame Modes Applicable
Winter ClassicEven if it's just in a generic football stadium outdoors, I do not care. Put this in the game. Another cool add would be letting me create Winter Classic jerseys for my team in GM mode if we were to play in the Winter Classic.GM Mode, Play Now, Be A Pro.
Roster SharingPersonally, this would be a top 3 most important thing to add to this game however unfortunately there is a very real chance it will never happen. The updated rosters are one of EA’s main selling points and having this feature would defeat that purpose. We should be able to share rosters and draft classes like you can in every other sports game. (except FIFA I think)GM Mode, Play Now, Be a Pro
Much Improved Player LikenessI can understand how some AHL bums wouldn’t have their faces scanned into the game but how is it possible that a player like John Carlson isn;t scanned into the game? How is it possible the cover athlete of NHL 20 hasn’t had an updated face scan since his rookie season 4 years ago? It’s time for every single NHL player to have a realistic and UPDATED face scan, can’t say we don’t have the technology for it.Everything
Player TendenciesWho in EA thought it was a good idea to just give Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson of all people ridiculous magical shooting tendencies so that he is just a consistent 30 goal scorer no matter what. Like they do in 2k, have editable player tendencies for things like shooting, passing, blocking shots, deking, etc.Everything
Custom SoundtrackMinor but could be a thing, instead of me turning off the EA sound track so that I could hear my Spotify through my PS4, just let me upload my playlist to the game. If this feature is added, let us use our music as a custom goal horn.Everything
World JuniorsEven though EA doesn’t have the rights to the IIHF, I think it would be cool if we could play in what is my favourite hockey tournament. Call something like the “World Under 20s” or something to that nature and have that actual tournament in the game. This could be in Be A Pro where my player makes Team Canada and competes for the gold or in GM mode where I can use this tournament as a tool to scout playersBe a Pro, GM mode, Tournaments
TournamentsMany didn’t know this but custom tournaments aren’t a thing in NHL 20. You can’t play the World Cup of hockey or even an international tournament in general. That is an absolute joke. Let us at least have that but if the developers are feeling generous, let us play in an IIHF world championship type in Be a Pro in April/May.Tournaments, Be a Pro
Warm-UpsIn NHL 12, my player was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers when they still sucked but my 8 year old self still remembers my player skating out to warm up with the lights dimmed and the music blasting. It got me hyped and I would like something similar to that in NHL 21. Let us shoot around on the goalie or even an open net during pregame warmups for like a minute or so just to have the feeling of being an professional hockey player.EASHL, Be a Pro
Scoreboard and PresentationFirst of all, this isn’t football meaning the scoreboard goes on the top of my screen. Whether it be in the corner like ESPN or middle like Sportsnet, I don’t care whoever suggested puting the scoreboard on the bottom deserves a stern talking to. That being said, the presentation this year was really good but hearing this new animated like commentator made me miss some of the calls from Doc Emrick and Eddie Olzcyk. Bringing in a guy in the NHL with an icon such as Joe Bowen would go a long way to making this feel like an NHL simulator.Everything
Improved AIThis goes without being said every year but some more AI logic improvement would help the game a lot. Things like gap control, breakouts and repetitiveness need some serious improvements. Same with shootouts and breakaways; I had always wondered why the AI’s have always been so bad on these when I feel like it would be the easiest thing to code. (Now that's just me and my basic grade 11 computer science knowledge)Everything
Improved AnimationsPicking up the puck always is tough but improvements to that would go a long way. Passing seems weak oftentimes, saucer passes rarely work, more dekes would allow us to be more creative, rebounds need to be much more realistic but most of all, poke checking. I think they should completely overhaul the poke checking system in general because it just seems unrealistic. It’s a penalty 99% of the time if you do it from behind to someone. Anyone who has played hockey in real life will tell you that it is near impossible to spam pokecheck and skate backwards at full speed. They should make poke checks a high risks but when they work high rewards. If a defender misses a pokecheck in real life then you best believe that they are either getting dangled or getting made look like a pilon. These aren’t the only things that could use improvements but they would definitely help.Everything
Breaking the glassIt was always so much fun as a kid to be able to break the glass whether it be a Shea Weber slapshot or a Zdeno Chara hit, EA needs to bring this simple feature back into the gameEverything
CelebrationsThey have literally been the same since NHL 15, and it's time for an updated celebration menu. I want it to be like FIFA where different button combinations do different celebrations.Everything
Goalie Mask EditorIf NHL 2k11 on the Wii could do it in 2010, then I think EA Sports NHL could do it on the PS5 for NHL 21. Even just something like 15 different templates with and we just use the colour palette, it would be better then the same generic masks we’ve had since like NHL 11.GM Mode, EASHL, Be a Pro, Custom Rosters
SuspensionsIf a player lays a dirty hit or if they are in the CHL and fight more than 3 times a season then there should be an actual suspension system.Be a Pro, GM mode
Nintendo Switch/PCIf this game were to come to the Nintendo Switch then I might just go out and purchase one for myself. Games like FIFA and 2k are already on the switch and it's time for the NHL series to hope on the trend.Everything
More International Leagues and TeamsObviously the NCAA wouldn’t allow this and I’m not too sure if the KHL either but to see more leagues in the game would be a nice little touch. Add leagues like the Swedish and Finnish 2nd league for Be a Pro too. There should also be more international teams such as South Korea, Lithuania and Hungary.Everything
Improved Draft Interview StageFor GM mode, allow for more draft interviews with more questions. As for Be a Pro, let me get interviewed by however many teams are interested in me like in NHL 14. Let me give them answers that will make me seem more enticing for them or answers that will turn them in the wrong direction.Be a Pro, GM mode
Goalie injuriesDuring play it is literally impossible for goalies to get injured. Make this feature optional for offline game modesEverything
One-Touch PassingOne touch passing could make for some sick highlight reel passing plays. If they could add one-timers in NHL 08, then they could certainly do this.Everything
Custom TeamsWhen it comes to customization, NHL is actually really good compared to other EA games but it could always be improved. One thing I would like is for the user to be able to write their custom arena name around the circle. Custom and uploadable logos like there are in NBA 2k would be a dream but I doubt that happening.GM Mode, Custom Teams, EASHL
Player DNAThis option is in 2k, it is basically where you can take the looks, ratings and/or tendencies of a player and apply them to a CAP. This should also be shareable for users to other users.Create a Player, EASHL
Updated Ratings systemTop prospects in the CHL will have like 70s for skating while skaters in the NHL who are awful skaters will have 80s for skating. Get rid of that. Players who are drafted top 3 and are NHL ready normally have all the skills (especially skating) just lack strength and poise, make it like that. Everything, Mainly GM mode
CrossplayPS4 players should be able to play the same game as XBOX players. This game on the PS5 should have the technology for crossplayEverything
Quarantine ModeMaybe add a setting that would make users play in an empty arena with no fans. It would be silly but I feel like it could be cool to look back at this mode in the future to see how this pandemic has affected the lives of many. Not a necessity to the game but would be a neat little thing.Everything
Women’s International TeamsI understand that women’s hockey is nowhere near NHL talent but it is still hockey and should deserve a little more respect. Don’t tell me you don’t remember that 2014 Olympics final! Add maybe 6-8 women’s teams to the game. No reason not too, would be a great PR move by EA.Everything
More Arenas and Throwback ArenasI would like to see more AHL, CHL, SHL, etc arenas in the game to give it a more real feel. Also a neat feature would be to play in old arenas like Joe Louis or Maple Leaf GardensEverything
NHL 21 CoverFinally, over the last 10 NHL games, the cover athlete has been a Canaidan on an American team 7 times. Therefore it only makes sense for Nathan Mackinnon to don the cover of NHL 21, he is a young, Canadian, recognizable face playing on an American team in a diehard hockey market. Not to mention the Avs colours look so sick on the cover!Cover
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EA, just hire this guy.
 

jprenkert

Registered User
Mar 7, 2014
656
337
Metro Detroit
How bout an updated injury system. How many times is the same animation used that shows head injury, but ends up guy has a hurt ankle or elbow? Can we get updated injury status quicker? Why do we need to wait a few days to know the injury. Didnt they have at one time real time injury updates in the "team management" section, where you could see what was actually hurt and how long, before having to wait till after the game? The more i play, the more annoying the game is.
 

The Great Mighty Poo

Thank You 59.
Feb 21, 2020
5,291
5,481
Scatbox
I really wish they built on Live the Life, it may have felt "prototypish" but it was a blast with the text based option with the scenarios, I remember I'd keep getting drafted by the Flyers and use the "This is really the team I hoped to get drafted by" option, blast every free agent they signed, when asked if I was nervous about playing my 1st preseason game with the team I'd use the "I don't care because I don't really hope to live in the city" option, 2 days later traded to my real life favorite team Pittsburgh for like a 6th or 7th rounder, then running around injuring every player that came near me, fighting half their team and rack up points on them my entire career just for my own personal amusement.
 

Travis093

Travis
May 5, 2012
883
1,478
Saskatoon
I would pay 100 dollars just to be able to extend GM mode past 25 years so that I can play indefinitely.
All I want is for my dynasty to grow old and retire giving me the ability to experience a failed rebuild for a decade before finally being able to climb out of the dumps. I would also like to see a feature where you can start GM mode with randomized players
 

redwhiteandblue

Registered User
Apr 1, 2013
1,049
940
During the pandemic I turned some hockey buddies onto Madden and the Cloud Dyansties are unreal. We are all dying for EA to do one for Chel.
 

Tryblot

Registered User
Oct 4, 2009
8,124
2,871
It'd be really nice to be able to start as a GM for a CHL team and DEPENDING on how you do you could move to Europe or AHL and eventually work your way to the NHL. It would be nice though if they based it on results as if you fail in the CHL you aren't going to find a job in the NHL so it's different every time you play it.
 
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JuJu Mobb

Montreal Canadiens
Dec 9, 2009
2,796
2,973
Position change customization. Be able to change center to a wing etc. Easy add that would probably get used by quite a few.

You can do it in the Edit Player. It's kind of tedious tho.

I wish you could just change positions from the edit line menu.
 

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