NHL 26 Wishlist

Hi EA NHL Team,
First of all – thank you for your continuous work on the NHL series. I’m a longtime hockey fan and EA NHL player (from Latvia!) and I’d like to respectfully share my NHL 26 feature wishlist.

These are ideas that I believe would take the game to a whole new level in realism, immersion, and fun – many of them are based on what we already see in titles like FIFA or NBA 2K, and some are long-requested features from NHL fans worldwide.

🎥 Presentation & Atmosphere

TV-style pre-game intros: locker room view, players entering the ice, crowd noise building.

More in-game animations (reactions, energy, team chemistry).

Smarter, reactive crowds – cheers, waves, standing up, reacting to fights and goals.

Improved broadcast feel: better cameras, replays, and synced commentary.

🧠 Gameplay & AI

Organic passing and puck physics, realistic player positioning.

More intelligent AI teammates and defenders.

Improved goalie behavior: anticipation, animation variety, better saves.

🥊 Fighting System

New, dynamic fighting engine: grapples, helmet pulls, player emotion.

Fighting with purpose: momentum shifting, standing up for teammates.

🎭 Player Realism

Updated, accurate player faces and builds.

Signature styles: unique shots, skating posture, celebrations.

New feature: puck juggling (cradle puck on blade) for skills/warm-up mode.

🧊 Franchise Mode & World of Chel

Custom Leagues & Playoffs.

Smarter draft logic: weak/strong draft years, unique prospects.

More unlocks, personalization, and faster progress in WOC.

⭐ Skills Competition Mode

Add All-Star style skills mini-games:

Fastest Skater

Hardest Shot

Accuracy Shooting

Cone Agility Course

🕰️ Legends & Era Mode

Add classic teams and eras: ‘80s, ‘90s, 2000s.

Include NHL Legends like Jaromír Jágr, Sandis Ozoliņš, Teemu Selänne, Dominik Hašek etc.

Create fantasy teams across generations.

We love NHL. The community just wants it to be as deep and alive as real hockey feels. I hope some of these ideas help inspire NHL 26 to become the best version of the game yet.

Thanks for listening.