NHL 25 Wishlist (and future NHL Games)

My EA Sports NHL 25 wishlist

I mostly want to see some of these features in be a pro, but they also apply to every other game modes.  

• Overhead player icon – Please bring the overhead player icon that became red when your player has the puck, or at least bring it back as an option. For me, the ring under the player is too hard to see (I have visual impairments).
• Presentation – Bring back full presentation similar to previous NHL games where we saw players skate out of the tunnel and onto the ice with commentator analysis, etc.
• Pre-game warmups – This feature would be inspired from NBA 2K MyCareer mode which allows us to go out on the court before the game starts and take some shots or practice moves. Although this feature could be meaningless to some players, it would allow for a more immersive experience in modes like Be a Pro.
• Live practice mode – I never understood why we don’t have this in Be a Pro or Franchise. This would be another feature inspired from NBA 2K and FIFA where we could take our player out on the ice and practice drills with teammates and gain experience points which would allow us to upgrade our player. Drills would be the same ones as we have access to in current Be a Pro, but the difference is that we would participate in real-time, not in simulation (Also include practice jerseys for more immersion). For example, if I want to practice powerplays, penalty kills or shootout moves, I shouldn’t have to get out of Be a Pro mode and go to the practice mode in the main menu all the time. Also, in NBA 2K, players have a court a court in their virtual house. it would be cool if we could have a virtual backyard or something like that where we use tiles or other equipments to practice and upgrade or customize our setup eventually.  
• Full seasons in the minors + more leagues – My goal in writing this wishlist is to give suggestions while remaining as respectful as possible. EA, if no one asked you to remove a feature from this game, please don’t remove it. I don’t understand why players only have the possibility of starting their careers in the CHL or European tournaments (or choose a team in the NHL). EA has the license for many other leagues, so why don’t they just let us play a full season in those leagues and work our way up to the draft. Another cool feature (although this would require more licensing) would be to let us start in University.
• World Juniors, Olympics, All Star Game, Winter Classic and Stadium Series – Another thing that surprises me is that EA has the license to IIHF international team jerseys and players to their game, yet we can’t even represent our country in Be a Pro mode. EA could also create their own Olympic Games brand (something like EA Sports Winter Olympics) which would allow us to represent our country in the Olympic Games. They also have Winter Classic jerseys and Stadium Series jerseys, yet we can’t even play in them in Be a Pro or Franchise Mode. Same thing goes for the All-Star game, which I’m not even sure why they removed from Be a Pro. What’s the point of being selecting to the All-Star game if I can’t participate in it.
• Capitaincy and other features – It’s absolutely not normal that our player becomes capitain after one season (unless it’s just because I’m playing on semi-pro). It’s just not realistic. Also, if I do have a big influence on my team, I should be able to influence trades or other moves. Maybe that’s not how it works in real life, but still, it would be nice to have that option. Free agency in NHL games is a huge disappointment. Why do I only have 4 teams to choose from? In other sports games, my player can choose to go play on any other team if they want to. Why not implement it in the game? Sure, teams might not be wiiling to offer a contract, but why not also add the ability to negotiate?
• Skippable cutscenes – Many Be a Pro players have asked for cutscenes and storylines throughout the years, and it’s cool to have them included in this game. But when it becomes repetitive, we should be able to skip them or ignore them, especially during games.
• Stanley Cup celebrations – NHL 2K10, a 14 year old game that I would say is one of the best NHL games of all time, allowed players to skate around the ice with the Stanley Cup. I don’t need to say more…
• Social media, Endorsment deals, brand creation and more customization features – EA has recently added a feature to Be a Pro where we can actually spend the money our player makes on things that give us attribute boost. That’s cool and everything but I feel like they could do more with this. Why not add a social media feature where we can interact with fans and other players and build up a personality from there too. EA UFC allows us to do it and NBA 2K also does it in their career mode. We can actually sign endorsement deals in Be a Pro, but why not be able to post them on social media and see the reaction it gets? Also, NBA 2K allows us to create our own shoes and equip them to our player. EA Sports NHL should allow us to create our own stick, skate, gloves and helmet brand by choosing names, designs and colours. Also, if EA is going to let us spend money on our own mobile app or clothing brand, why not let us name and design them? These are small details that can make this game so much more immersive. We should also be able to add created teams to Be a Pro (or even expansion teams). For example, if I want to play for the Quebec Nordiques, or any other city that does not possess a hockey club, why not let me add the team I created and play for them?
• Eras – Now, I know this is a BIG feature to ask from EA. It might also never be added to the game, but I’m still going for it. This feature would be added to modes like Be a Pro, Play now, franchise mode and any other offline or online mode that could support it. We should be able to play in specific eras with specific rosters, equipment, arenas, commentary style, draft class, etc. Although this might NEVER be added to the game (because of licensing, finance and research), it would be cool to be able to start our career in a specific year. For example, if I choose to start my career in the 1970’s with the peak Montreal Canadiens, I would be playing alongside Guy Lafleur and other players, and play against other legends who played in that era. Expansion expansion teams would be added as the years go on and specific players would be drafted according to their draft class (although not by the same team they were drafted in real life, depending on draft lottery). Although this would be way too much work for EA, it’s still a feature I dream of seeing in this game.
• Player lock – EA allows players to position lock In some game modes, which means we can control a specific position in a game. But why not let us control a specific PLAYER in franchise mode or Play now. If they don’t want to let us add created teams to Be a Pro, then this would be a good feature for Franchise mode, which allows us to add expansion teams.        

Edit: Moved thread to Game Suggestions forum. -CM