NHL 26 Discussion
- Thread starter EdJovanovski
- Start date
TheFridge
Registered User
- Mar 20, 2022
- 1,669
- 2,915
A game that doesn't suck. (sorry to anyone that likes the games we've gotten since NHL14)
- Jun 17, 2009
- 10,192
- 6,844
The only thing on my wishlist is adding NCAA. If they announce that, I will preorder.
- Aug 24, 2011
- 28,163
- 16,318
Hythlodaeus
Registered User
- Jun 12, 2025
- 35
- 30
Literally any addition to franchise mode. I’d say a PC port, but we all know that aint happening…
Hythlodaeus
Registered User
- Jun 12, 2025
- 35
- 30
For more detail, I’d like a franchise mode more similar to what they do in FIFA (or EA FC I guess now). I bought FIFA 24 the other year and it was amazing to see an actually fleshed out franchise mode, at least in comparison to NHL
This is the most i probably liked an NHL game since 17 gameplay wise. Don't get me wrong, there's some major flaws that need to have a sledgehammer taken to them but i do think they have a legitimate base to work with here. I like the fact one timers are actually somewhat powerful. D to D makes the point threatening again. Even the pressure system is actually decent now. As for the bad;
- Vision control is a legitimately cool mechanic when used as it should be like trying to get to your forehand to get a shot off or to position yourself for a better pass. What is not cool is the garbage where if you turn backwards you get a corny speed boost/free puck protection because EA still hasn't figured out how to do contact with a player's back to you in the last 15 years. That needs to go. Either slow the player down if they try it or make the player more vulnerable to a hit. If you're not sure what i mean, here's an example from someone who thinks this is how hockey is played;
- Reverse hitting either needs to be reworked or removed entirely. If manlet Cole Caulfield were to try that in real life against somebody like Aaron Ekblad, he's going to die trying. In this game, he just bounces off or in the odd case he all 5 foot 9 of him will somehow flatten the 6'4 d-man.
- fix line changes. Idk what it is about this year but they're really bad. Multiple instances of you calling for a change in your own zone and only 2 of your 3 forwards will go while the other guy, despite being dead tired will just decide nah, i'm good. Or in some cases you can call for a change after a dump in and they won't change at all lol.
- Put puck protect on its own button again instead of the weird input you have to do with the newer control scheme.
Couple other superficial things. Faster menus (good lord franchise is slow, good luck doing a sim or anything like that), bring back the old divisions/tournament formats in HUT.
- Get rid of the online competitive rating. I'm just under 900 and this number means absolutely nothing in terms of matchmaking. I'll get one game against a guy in the 300s and then the next guy is 1300 dude with QC in his tag who practices the L2/LT glitch in their sleep and hasn't seen the sun presumably since the last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup. On an alt account.
This game's biggest problem is they don't stay on top of it. If you wanted to be taken more seriously as a competitive game, then you need somebody to iron out the kinks once people find them. Not just go "oh yeah sorry we'll get it next year." Happened with the one hander being an automatic goal when they first introduced it, then the self saucer pass speed boost glitch, now the L2 cheese.
- Vision control is a legitimately cool mechanic when used as it should be like trying to get to your forehand to get a shot off or to position yourself for a better pass. What is not cool is the garbage where if you turn backwards you get a corny speed boost/free puck protection because EA still hasn't figured out how to do contact with a player's back to you in the last 15 years. That needs to go. Either slow the player down if they try it or make the player more vulnerable to a hit. If you're not sure what i mean, here's an example from someone who thinks this is how hockey is played;
- Reverse hitting either needs to be reworked or removed entirely. If manlet Cole Caulfield were to try that in real life against somebody like Aaron Ekblad, he's going to die trying. In this game, he just bounces off or in the odd case he all 5 foot 9 of him will somehow flatten the 6'4 d-man.
- fix line changes. Idk what it is about this year but they're really bad. Multiple instances of you calling for a change in your own zone and only 2 of your 3 forwards will go while the other guy, despite being dead tired will just decide nah, i'm good. Or in some cases you can call for a change after a dump in and they won't change at all lol.
- Put puck protect on its own button again instead of the weird input you have to do with the newer control scheme.
Couple other superficial things. Faster menus (good lord franchise is slow, good luck doing a sim or anything like that), bring back the old divisions/tournament formats in HUT.
- Get rid of the online competitive rating. I'm just under 900 and this number means absolutely nothing in terms of matchmaking. I'll get one game against a guy in the 300s and then the next guy is 1300 dude with QC in his tag who practices the L2/LT glitch in their sleep and hasn't seen the sun presumably since the last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup. On an alt account.
This game's biggest problem is they don't stay on top of it. If you wanted to be taken more seriously as a competitive game, then you need somebody to iron out the kinks once people find them. Not just go "oh yeah sorry we'll get it next year." Happened with the one hander being an automatic goal when they first introduced it, then the self saucer pass speed boost glitch, now the L2 cheese.
NorthBayBattleOnion
Registered User
- Mar 21, 2025
- 88
- 115
BAP needs a major overhaul. Bring back full seasons of CHL play, start at 15 and get drafted into the CHL. NCAA would be a great addition but it’s a long shot. Franchise mode in game shot frequency increase would be great, every goalie having a 887sv% and 1.40GAA on a winning team makes no sense if you’re playing the games manually. Gameplay difficulty needs a bump, superstar difficulty felt weak this year. Would like to see some additions to the draft process too
EazyE1
Registered User
nightonthesun
Registered User
Personal dream scenario is a brand new gameplay engine, but i think the series being cancelled is more likely than that ever happening at this point. Would love to be wrong.
Realistically I’d love to play a BAP with some production value and systems that actually function meaningfully/don’t abuse my time. I’d sign up for that.
It’s really telling that I’d even be tempted by menu improvements.
Miss playing hockey games. Too many years of the same thing. Really want them to give me a reason to buy in again
Realistically I’d love to play a BAP with some production value and systems that actually function meaningfully/don’t abuse my time. I’d sign up for that.
It’s really telling that I’d even be tempted by menu improvements.
Miss playing hockey games. Too many years of the same thing. Really want them to give me a reason to buy in again
NYR94
Registered User
Soedy
All Hail Cale
I skipped 25 this past year left be a pro the same and have no idea of franchise mode most likely the same. I only really like playing chel and be a pro for the most part as I like simulating franchise and the player growth seems linear and not alot of parity in players overall as franchise goes on. I feel like franchise potential players should get to 93-99 ovr without stat boosts and the elite players hover in the 87-94ovr top 6 are any where in the 84-91 range and top 9 are 82-86 ovr bottom 6 guys end up in the 78-83 ovr of course the lower rating indicates the low value meaning a low elite potential guy is likely more likely to either bust or get to 87 with the opportunity to be more and a high elite player is guy is a guaranteed 87 with a great chance of being a 93-94 player. All this while allowing players to still either get a higher level of potential or lower level.
