I was pretty excited to try this on EA access this year, haven't played a hockey game in a long time and thought it was time to get back in on one. After playing an exhibition game and then a long 'be a pro' game, my main problem with the game is the same problem I had with the last EA games I tried...it's just not 'fun' anymore.

It's this weird mix of trying to be sim and try to be fun but doesn't seem to really succeed at either. I really dislike the controls, I can't stand the right analog stick stuff but the alternate controls are completely lame too (right trigger speed burst anyone?).
It may just be me, but the announcers really annoy me in this game. I miss Gary Thorne/Bill Clement.
I'm really disappointed with the game honestly, and probably won't be purchasing it now. It reminds of like NBA 2k like 10 years ago, it was trying to sim but the problem was is that it wasn't 'fun'. NHL used to be fun but not particularly realistic, then 2k did both forcing EA to up their game but now the EA game has lost that fun factor it used to have...I would trade realism for fun at this point.
Another year without an NHL game.

Frankly, I wish they'd just update the old pc/genesis versions from the early 90's to add online play + updated rosters, can you imagine playing 5 on 5 NHL 93/94/95 on Xbox Live? That would be awesome. At least have some version that people can casually have fun with. NHL 2002 was the last version I remember having a ton of fun with our 5 person line pc league.