Hey everyone!So I compiled a lengthy list last year on what I wanted to see in NHL 23. As most of you know, Be A Pro did not change hardly at all. So, instead of copying and pasting my list (eventhough this appears to be EA's favorite thing) I thought I would make a more realistic list on what EA could likely do instead of what I want to see in a dreamworld (Since that hasn't happened in years and likely wont anytime soon).First though here is my quick NHL 23 BAP review:While this game mode is the same as 22 (mostly), I have noticed that the gameplay has improved somewhat. However, I am still noticing that AI teammates turn the puck over easily. The powerplay runs a lot smoother in my experience. One thing I did like was the draft. Apparently there was a trade made and MTL did not have the first pick - which is where I fell. So I was drafted by ARZ (as a Coyotes fan I was perfectly fine with this) first overall. Not sure if that was a random incidence or not, but I liked it. Gave the draft a bit of an unknown surprise. Also, I did some tests and it's actually not nearly as easy to become the 1st overall as it used to be. I played through on Superstar once and was drafted 40th overall. Another time I was drafted around 15th. I did like how it felt harder to earn your spot. Otherwise the game is exact same as last years.NHL 24 Wishlist (realistically)Please, PLEASE, add contract features. I would be happy even if it was something minor like being able to add a no movement clause, or selecting my own contract length. Just something. Add more than 2 team offers. Again, if I am a top 6 player on my team I should be getting multiple offers from teams when my contract ends. Not just one new team offer. Now I haven't made it to this stage yet in NHL 23, but I am 99% sure it will be unchanged. This is a HUGE time in a players life so the game should reflect that.Add a trade risk. Sometimes you get traded out of nowhere. Now I realize this rarely happens with first overall picks - but still it could happen, especially if your management/teammate score is low and you're not performing well. I'd like to see the ability to be traded without asking. It's part of the business.Realistic trades. Please just give us realistic trades. In the times I have ever asked for a trade I was always given up for literally nothing. If I am a 89 overall player former 1st overall pick with multiple awards, no GM would trade me for a 4th line AHL player. Involve picks and better players. Make conversation system optional and or skippable. Just like last year, the conversations are dull and a nuisance. Make this an option or at least allow us to skip them - especially in game. Grant stat boosters for draft position. I just find it odd that I am a 70 overall being drafted first overall when the 2nd and 3rd picks start out near 80. If I am drafted in the third round and beyond then okay, but if you are drafted first overall there should be a huge stat booster to reflect that. Just make it an "accomplishment". Starting off as a 70 on the second/first line is super unlikely.Bring back player development. We had it in NHL 20, so we can easily have it back. Please let us develop. I would be perfectly fine with being a later round pick and having to fight my way into the lineup. Let me go back to the CHL or AHL for a few years if needed. I promise this would make the mode so much more realistic. Off-ice activities. I know this is a stretch, but adding even the simplest practice modes would be a gamer changer. Nothing massive, just something simple. This could be used as a way to boost your XP as well. League stories. Why can we not see trades/signings/waiver claims/injuries on a tab? This was in NHL 20..just add it back. Presentation. The anthem and all is cool, and im glad there's something new to this but build on that. Spend a little more effort on the pre-game presentation. The crowd got an upgrade, and that's great. I really like the crowd getting into the game so kudos to EA for implementing that. However, let's run with that. I remember in the older NHL series it actually showed your player skating on the ice during the intro..that was cool. Also, make winning the cup a bigger deal than it is. Go all out. Have the media on the ice taking pictures, have the players interviewing, all the above. Again, just make it skippable if needed.And finally here is my way out of the park wishAllow us an option to control the team management. Now listen, I usually get eyebrows raised for this. "Just go play franchise mode" I get it. However, I don't want to play a full game. I love the Be A Pro aspect of ONLY playing the shifts for your created player. However, the AI GM is atrocious. I would like to be able to control the management aspects of the team as well. I know this isn't the NBA and I am not Lebron calling all the shots..but if I could control the roster I played with it would be so much more fun. Gone would be the days of your team trading prospects for nothing and selling everyone when you're a playoff contender. I am sure I will add more to this list once I play through the seasons a bit but we can hold out hope for NHL 24. I understand that EA makes stupid money on these online modes and that's where the attention is spent, but offline players still pay for the game too.

NHL 24 Wishlist (realistically)Please, PLEASE, add contract features: OMG I can't ask for this more! I'm a freaking 89 after my first year, I lead the league in goals, got the Calder and the Stanley Cup. I won the European League Cup, broke 3 records, and two years later, the only team interested in me besides Buffalo is Philadelphia and they are only offering me 4 million? Damn, in Framchise, that doesn't get you a third line check forward. Yes! I want a negotiation mini game sorta like the draft deadline game. Let me get offers, make counters, and decide where to go... Also as an RFA why doesn't my Team match it? Why can't I sign with Seattle for 6 years?Add a trade risk. Yes! But maybe add it as a coach challenge. Hey Brayden, the Vegas Golden Knights are I terested in you. We want to make the deal, but if you can score 15 points in 5 games, we'll keep you.Realistic trades. This needs to happen at the Trade Deadline as well. I'm the only talent on the team, but at the deadline, somehow we've managed to get 2 new first line players to skate with me, two awesome defenders, and a good goalie... What did we trade? Draft picks for 3 years and all of our AHL people.... Maybe a kidney?Make conversation system optional and or skippable. Add flavor to them, my character is a rebel so he just waves off the coach, even after a conversation that went: Hey, you're moving to the first line. Thanks coach, and I walk away looking disgusted.Grant stat boosters for draft position. Do it with X-Factors, I start with nothing, but I can get Spin-O-Rama pretty quick, however the 2nd and 3rd have Zone Abilities and 4 Superstar Abilities... Why would anyone pick me first? In Franchise, the first Roundtree is always 78+ with a full board of X-Factors... Yes, I want to earn some, but its not fair to ask me to complete against the co.puter with literally nothing.Bring back player development. Talk to FiFA, their training is awesome. You should do this too!Commentary. Okay, so this one is a bit harder, but can we get decent commentating? How many times per game do I need the woman to talk about every X-Factor. I counted, I literally heard about Make it Snappy 12 times in one game. Also, talking about the Sophomore Slump in year 1 is a bit oof, the same with making the Rookie a Captain... Also, Becky needs to stop calling in and reluctantly talking about taking me on her fantasy team...Building Rivalries. Can you add opposing Team interactions. I beat up Nurse three times in one game and injured him the second time I faced him. It would be cool to see him stride up to me before a game and talk to me. Maybe offer weird challenges, like "Let's see who gets more hits tonight"Brand/Management/Team Likeability. This is pointless after season 1. Getting to 10k points takes you up to the Trade Deadline, and then its pointless.Sponsors. We've got a Hockey Super Agent, but he got me 1 deal in 3 years for 300k... Maybe make a few pretend Brands, then when one sponsors me, I need to meet certain goals to keep them. Like Knie Shoe Company, wants me to score once every three games, or they'll yank my sponsorship, or Fightsr's Gym yanks their endorsement if I lose three fights in a year.Sorry @johum2886 and @ccleme20 I supported most.of what.you said and just added a few other things. These could so easily be implemented and make the game 100% better.

@ccleme20 this is all beyond what needs to be donebe a pro simply needs to not have the stupid forced superstar storyline and let us play how we want to, like NHL 14 and the PS3/XBOX360 versions of 15 & beyond

When I play as a "stay-at-home" defender, who usually plays a conservative, risk averse game and does not score much, instead focusing on defensive assignments towards the opposing team, I don't want my coach to pressure me to score, but is satisfied that I prevent others from scoring.

Bring back player development. We had it in NHL 20, so we can easily have it back. Please let us develop. I would be perfectly fine with being a later round pick and having to fight my way into the lineup. Let me go back to the CHL or AHL for a few years if needed. I promise this would make the mode so much more realistic.If I could have one thing it would be this ^^^^^^ just give us some player development and the juniors/minors back.Give me weekly drills to do (See Fifa) to get better and place me in a league I belong in, that's it.Or we could just skip all that send me right to NHL as a 70 rated player and get scratched for 60 games a season. Think of how much fun that is........

Exactly. I find it more fun to be a later pick and have to fight my way to the NHL. This is why I played NHL 20 for so long. Sadly I don't see this mode ever getting better. It's gotten progressively worse since NHL 14.

Forum Discussion

ccleme20

4 years ago

NHL 24 BAP Wishlist & NHL 23 Review

Hey everyone!

So I compiled a lengthy list last year on what I wanted to see in NHL 23. As most of you know, Be A Pro did not change hardly at all. So, instead of copying and pasting my list (eventhough this appears to be EA's favorite thing) I thought I would make a more realistic list on what EA could likely do instead of what I want to see in a dreamworld (Since that hasn't happened in years and likely wont anytime soon).

First though here is my quick NHL 23 BAP review:

While this game mode is the same as 22 (mostly), I have noticed that the gameplay has improved somewhat. However, I am still noticing that AI teammates turn the puck over easily. The powerplay runs a lot smoother in my experience. One thing I did like was the draft. Apparently there was a trade made and MTL did not have the first pick - which is where I fell. So I was drafted by ARZ (as a Coyotes fan I was perfectly fine with this) first overall. Not sure if that was a random incidence or not, but I liked it. Gave the draft a bit of an unknown surprise. Also, I did some tests and it's actually not nearly as easy to become the 1st overall as it used to be. I played through on Superstar once and was drafted 40th overall. Another time I was drafted around 15th. I did like how it felt harder to earn your spot. Otherwise the game is exact same as last years.

NHL 24 Wishlist (realistically)

Please, PLEASE, add contract features. I would be happy even if it was something minor like being able to add a no movement clause, or selecting my own contract length. Just something.
Add more than 2 team offers. Again, if I am a top 6 player on my team I should be getting multiple offers from teams when my contract ends. Not just one new team offer. Now I haven't made it to this stage yet in NHL 23, but I am 99% sure it will be unchanged. This is a HUGE time in a players life so the game should reflect that.
Add a trade risk. Sometimes you get traded out of nowhere. Now I realize this rarely happens with first overall picks - but still it could happen, especially if your management/teammate score is low and you're not performing well. I'd like to see the ability to be traded without asking. It's part of the business.
Realistic trades. Please just give us realistic trades. In the times I have ever asked for a trade I was always given up for literally nothing. If I am a 89 overall player former 1st overall pick with multiple awards, no GM would trade me for a 4th line AHL player. Involve picks and better players.
Make conversation system optional and or skippable. Just like last year, the conversations are dull and a nuisance. Make this an option or at least allow us to skip them - especially in game.
Grant stat boosters for draft position. I just find it odd that I am a 70 overall being drafted first overall when the 2nd and 3rd picks start out near 80. If I am drafted in the third round and beyond then okay, but if you are drafted first overall there should be a huge stat booster to reflect that. Just make it an "accomplishment". Starting off as a 70 on the second/first line is super unlikely.
Bring back player development. We had it in NHL 20, so we can easily have it back. Please let us develop. I would be perfectly fine with being a later round pick and having to fight my way into the lineup. Let me go back to the CHL or AHL for a few years if needed. I promise this would make the mode so much more realistic.
Off-ice activities. I know this is a stretch, but adding even the simplest practice modes would be a gamer changer. Nothing massive, just something simple. This could be used as a way to boost your XP as well.
League stories. Why can we not see trades/signings/waiver claims/injuries on a tab? This was in NHL 20..just add it back.
Presentation. The anthem and all is cool, and im glad there's something new to this but build on that. Spend a little more effort on the pre-game presentation. The crowd got an upgrade, and that's great. I really like the crowd getting into the game so kudos to EA for implementing that. However, let's run with that. I remember in the older NHL series it actually showed your player skating on the ice during the intro..that was cool. Also, make winning the cup a bigger deal than it is. Go all out. Have the media on the ice taking pictures, have the players interviewing, all the above. Again, just make it skippable if needed.

And finally here is my way out of the park wish

Allow us an option to control the team management. Now listen, I usually get eyebrows raised for this. "Just go play franchise mode" I get it. However, I don't want to play a full game. I love the Be A Pro aspect of ONLY playing the shifts for your created player. However, the AI GM is atrocious. I would like to be able to control the management aspects of the team as well. I know this isn't the NBA and I am not Lebron calling all the shots..but if I could control the roster I played with it would be so much more fun. Gone would be the days of your team trading prospects for nothing and selling everyone when you're a playoff contender.

I am sure I will add more to this list once I play through the seasons a bit but we can hold out hope for NHL 24. I understand that EA makes stupid money on these online modes and that's where the attention is spent, but offline players still pay for the game too.

18 Replies

SweetReaper83
3 years ago
Also new menus and screens would be a welcome upgrade!
Plus more work to make the AI on my team more realistic. There's countless times a player does a perfect poke check and doesn't chase the puck they just stand the and by the time one of my other teammates go after the puck it's already back in the oppositions possession.
I also wish that they could implement a couple different story modes like if you are forward, defenseman or goalies so it increases the replayablility.
Last in be a pro, before we start career the ability to choose what xfactors we would like and then there are things we have to do to obtain them. Right now it's so random and you can miss good xfactors easily.
007hockey
3 years ago
@ccleme20 Still blows my mind that they allegedly revamped BAP but all they did was neuter it, took out all the good stuff, and forced you to become the #1 superstar no matter what. No development, no grinding, just spoon fed everything.
hock3ydoode
Seasoned Rookie
3 years ago
All great ideas!
I’d like to add revamping the grading system in game for Offense, Defense and Team Play. Offense and Defense are straight forward, but Team Play is strange. An offside or icing shouldn’t drop your score 7 points.

Along with that, in game challenges. If my coach asks me to Continue the Pressure, what does that look like to the game? Is it shots, hits, zone time, scoring chances…each challenge should have a progress tracker so we know what needs to be done to complete the coach’s ask.
Another point, far too easy to get 200 pts a season, even in Superstar Mode. The attributes need to play a much bigger role. But if we’re the number 1 Overall pick, we shouldn’t be starting at a 70 OVR. Needs to be more realistic in terms of production aligning with attributes.
Edgrrrrrr
New Novice
3 years ago
My request is to let me scale down season length. 82 games is too much even with 3 minute periods.
icerike
3 years ago
I love all these. I really would like to be able to add some type of midget tournament where your performance leads to draft position in a CHL league. I loved playing 2-3 years in junior and building up my player into a true star at 80-86 overall as s rookie. In juniors you could also develop a rivalry with a computer generated opposing superstar in your draft class. Score more points, have more team success, whatever can unlock attribute increases and whatever. I think you can do something similar and let BAP players play full seasons as underagers in the European leagues.

Another reason I’d love the option to play an extended junior career would be the chance to make the world juniors team and play an in season tournament. I think adding the world championships as an option when your team gets eliminated would be fun as well.
Ryanhubb96
Rising Newcomer
3 years ago
They should have the weekly training be actual training as opposed to simulated. They should also bring back the all-star game and also include the skills competition because it's kind of stupid to check your milestones and see you were selected to an all-star team yet you didn't play it.
Mcamenzu
3 years ago
@icerike This!!!! Yes. Unfortunately i dont think they care to listen. If they studied what real life hockey is, theyd find its this
Puckface33
3 years ago
All star Game / Olympics / trades / practices / Bugs removed ??????
Like EA you have not touched this in years what about winter classic games ? How about better camera views ?
Coaching strategy options , make cycling the puck , calling for one timers easier