So, I ran into an issue with the contracts auto-renewing, and then I started thinking about all the things I've come across that I've wondered about, so I made an (semi)exhaustive list. Maybe someone will see it and think to maybe tweak or fix some things, or maybe no one will see it, idk. But here we are. Anyway, I just wanted to share some thoughts on Be a Pro mode. I've been playing it for years, and I’m currently in my 10th season with a custom female player. I want to love this mode- the idea behind it is great- but right now it's full of issues that make the experience feel frustrating or half-finished. So here’s my breakdown: what’s broken, what’s clunky, and some stuff I like.

I also feel like I should add that I play sports games only for modes like Be A Pro, Road to the Show, etc. I have no thoughts or feelings about franchise mode or HUT or anything like that, but I love that all of you get to enjoy that stuff! Okay, now:

Things That Need Fixing

Progression and Choices Stop Feeling Like Choices

Once you’ve got Brand, Management, and Team approval maxed out, the entire conversation system becomes kind of a trap. Every event starts to feel like a test where you just try not to lose progress. You're not choosing based on personality or RP- you're choosing the one option that won’t dock your stats.

Fix idea: Add alternate conversation trees or diminishing returns once those stats are maxed. That way, you can still make meaningful choices without getting punished.

X-Factor and Ability Quests Are Broken and Way Too Grindy

Some ability quests flat out don’t work. Some don’t trigger. Some say they’ll unlock something and then don’t. And beyond the bugs, the entire grind is off- I’ve played through 10 seasons with my current player and still haven’t unlocked the final X-Factor slot. It would take something like $100 million in earnings to buy enough x-factor points, and that’s... a lot. The grind is good, but **bleep**. Make it a bit more accessible?

Fix idea: Fix the broken quests and rework the cost balance. Make it hard, sure, but not impossible. Also maybe give some alternative unlock paths based on career milestones or team success.

Conversation Rewards Are Completely Random

I’ve gotten trait points and X-Factor points from super random coach or media interactions- but the rewards are tied to choices I made several steps earlier in the conversation tree. There's no way to predict what’s coming, and it feels like guesswork.

Fix idea: Spread out rewards more evenly, and let us know ahead of time if a conversation has the potential to give something like an ability point. Let people plan a little.

Line Status Impact Is Too Opaque

It took me way too long to figure out how in-game actions affect things like Power Play or PK line assignments. Turns out defensive turnovers tank your PK rating and offensive takeaways help it. But it’s never explained anywhere, and it doesn’t actually feel like you’re being evaluated for what you're doing on the power play or PK.

Fix idea: Have the game evaluate you on actual special teams performance- clearing pucks on the PK, scoring short-handed goals, zone time on the PP, etc. And make that feedback clearer post-game.

Pronouns Are Messed Up

I’m a woman, and I always play as a woman in games where that’s allowed. It’s part of why I play Be a Pro in the first place, or similar modes in other games. But in-game, the announcers keep switching to “he” even when I’ve clearly selected female. It breaks immersion every time.

Fix idea: Go through the commentary triggers and make sure pronouns are being pulled correctly based on gender selection. Obviously this is a minor issue, but I'm hoping it wouldn't take a long time to fix, and is just a simple thing.

Logic in Conversations and Coach Challenges is Just Off

There are so many immersion-breaking moments. Scored 4 goals in a game? Doesn’t matter- I still get penalized because my goalie gave up a goal. Teammates suggest we go get barbecue in Dallas when we’re literally playing at home in San Jose. Or in Year 10, with 700 career goals, some rookie linemate tells me I need to shoot more. My coach telling me to put more pressure on, and we're walking back to the locker room in defeat when I tell him 'we still have a chance, coach!' No. No we don't. It just doesn’t track.

Fix idea: Add context awareness for career stage, team location, and game outcomes. These systems would work so much better with a little logic applied.

Basic Systems Like Contracts Don’t Always Work

Sometimes core stuff just… doesn’t function.

Fix idea: Make sure the contract system is stable. This should be one of the most basic, reliable systems in the entire mode.

Grudge Matches Are Easy to Miss

I like the grudge match concept, but if you're simming games or alternating which ones you play, you’ll skip them without knowing. They’re not marked on the calendar at all.

Fix idea: Add an icon or color-coded marker to the schedule to make rivalry games stand out before you click into them.

More Story Would Be Great- But Make It Optional

I see a lot of people complaining about story cutscenes or dialogue, but I honestly love it. Talking to the media, agent, teammates- it makes it feel more like a real career. That said, people who don’t like it should be able to turn it off.

Fix idea: Add a toggle in the menu for “Minimal Story” or “Full Story.” Everyone wins.

Crowds Wearing the Wrong Jerseys

First time I saw fans wearing my player’s jersey in the crowd, I thought it was awesome. Then I played an away game and saw the home crowd wearing their team’s jerseys with my name and number on them. Totally killed the moment.

Fix idea: Limit personalized jerseys to home crowds only.

No League Awareness

There’s no way to see what’s going on around the rest of the league- no trades, no injuries, no roster shifts. You feel totally disconnected. Hell, I don't even know what my own injury is, or how long I'll be injured. I mean, c'mon, that's basic stuff.

Fix idea: Let us access league news and rosters just like in Franchise mode. If it exists there, it should exist here.

Pre-Draft Section Feels Too Short

I actually liked the amateur section before the draft- it’s a nice touch. But it’s over in a flash, and then boom, you’re in the NHL.

Fix idea: Let us play a short stint in the minors. Even a 5–10 game stretch would give a better sense of progression.

Let Female Players Fight

I get why fighting is disabled for female players- realism, sure- but I’m already suspending disbelief by being in the NHL. I’d love to be able to throw a haymaker once in a while. I mean, I also looked into why it was turned off, and I get it. This isn't such a huge deal, really, just one of those things I wish I didn't have to make a male player to do. Fighting is actually a big part of Hockey, isn't it? And while I'm talking about fighting, even with the fight thing maxed out, I may see one fight every couple of seasons.

Fix idea: Add an option to toggle fighting for female characters. Keep it off by default if you need to, but give us the choice.

Things That Are Actually Good (Don’t Mess These Up)

The Money System Works

I love that my player’s contract earnings actually matter. You can spend money on stat boosts, multipliers, and traits- unlike other sports games where your salary is just a number.

Fix idea: Maybe expand it a bit- give us more stuff to unlock- but don’t mess with the core of it. This is one of the best systems in Be a Pro.

Conversations and Storylines (When They Work)

The media and coach interactions are fun when they make sense. I like the coach challenges, and I like interacting with my agent. The bones are good- the logic just needs work.

Fix idea: Add career phase awareness to dialogue. Clean up the events. Don’t remove this system- improve it.

That’s all from me. I’ve put a ton of time into this mode, and I want to keep playing it- but it needs attention. It's a great mode hiding under all this jank. Fix the bugs, smooth out the logic, and it could be one of the best career modes in any sports game.

Curious what other longtime players are seeing. Anyone else run into this stuff? Or have your own fixes? Or think I'm crazy? Idk.