Franchise mode game play is so bad.

I am older gamer as well (41). I also play on superstar level - mind you I have catered a few sliders throughout the last few years (21 to now). 

I don't player lock so I would agree that is probably some things there that will shows the issues with the AI (I feel its better then NHL 23 and 24, but still has its issues). I find that there is more options or ways to score goals this year rather than the 2 or 3 ways you had to score in NHL 23 or 24. 

I think the biggest issue I have had (played 87 games in my franchise mode) is there are defensive lapses of players that I am not controlling but to a point that is kind of realistic too (as these issues can happen in live NHL games too), along with the AI team also making those same lapses in judgement - so in ways it evens out. 

Goalie wise - using 2 average goalies who have had less then ideal stats over their career my GAA was 2.54 and 2.42 for the season which isn't bad at all. I learned to play a defensive game and had a percentage of 2.45 GAPG which I felt was pretty good. 

Average shots from my games where close to what you would see in a real hockey game and there were only a handful games at most where a blowout happened (maybe one game where it was 25-12 shots and I lost the game). 

I am not sure if its just that I found what sliders and difficulty work for me or maybe its how I play the game - here is a few examples of my stats after games I played recently.