I agree.
Its obvious that the EA sports NHL team is not doing very well financially. I think fewer games are bought every year.
I can't find any other reason why the game is in such a poor state. Basic things are not done and the focus is on making some stupid monster costumes to CHEL 3on3 PRACTICE mode. Pathetic attemp to try get more money. That mode or matchmaking is not even working. I have 0 friends who play this mode.
Another thing is HUT cards. They create those too much, of course because they get more money.
This is probably where their time will go.
Every single year i wish that another company would publish a hockey game. And about same kind of game modes.
After that probably EA NHL department would go bankrupt.