Yeah this is one thing I have been wishing for and I think that's what the concept behind the "Reverse Hit" button is about. As I have talked about in the past, there are not a lot of options for the puck carriers after dishing off the puck with a good pass. You may see people getting hit over a second after they have passed the puck and, despite the good play they made, are now Injured and on the ice for 10+ seconds. It is COMPLETELY UNFAIR to punish a player for making the correct play but that is what makes hitting so strong in this game I feel and why having this reverse option gives the smaller forwards a little bit of help avoiding injury. I do wish there was a way like you said though to do what was listed in previous games to "brace" for a hit and maybe add the addition of correctly bracing for a hit doesn't cause you to lose stamina.