@FlowBacco I am sorry but just like many others who complain and complain, it gets tiresome and I am here to defend it. You said "it removed the fun of skill from the game and dangling in a sense" which has to be the most contradictory statement about the controls. You can skate at top speed and you can even protect the puck at near top speed (which only the superstars can do while at full speed) but it is physically impossible to puck handle while at top speed. Again you could be near top speed but to be at top speed while moving left to right with the puck is insanity, again unless you are a top class superstar. Any ways back to what you said, there is a skill added to puck protect (you HAVE to let go to then begin stickhandling) which is why people are complaining because it is harder to do. The typical thing for this community is something gets harder, so people complain about it.
NHL 19 - The poke check hitting the skate of the player would guarantee a tripping call. Caused 10 penalties a game because people weren't used to NOT SPAMMING the poke.
NHL 22 - Passing changes requiring more precise passing and punishing players who over cooked passes to bounce of their sticks.
NHL 24 - The Goalie Tether System (could have been fixed with a quick tweak of the location of the stick for post hug) but instead, the goalie community crucified EA with one person saying "they wanted to be able to play with one hand".
NHL 24 - The new hitting system requiring precise accuracy when going for a hit and again PUNISHING them for missing. Added a skill of knowing when to hit and when to shove. People still want it reverted though.
NHL 24 - The hitting boost mechanic was removed and it became HARDER to hit. Yet people complained and it was quickly reverted within a week.
All of the above are examples of the game being made tougher and the community complaining about it. So yes the puck protect is on the RS. Learn the skill of how to let go to start stick handling and stop complaining.