oh yes, i agree with all the things you suggest.
there are QUITE a few 3rd party leagues (leagues that have sprouted up outside the game). I get that EA might be hesitant to 'bring in' some of these leagues (it adds a ton of backend community management they might not want to have to handle) but it would be so great if at least the Free Agents could get a boost. I honestly think that Good People are out there, looking for clubs. And there has to be a way for EA to help them.
another idea i had was expanding the idea of Clubs: your own personal club is a "local" club but EVERYONE picks an NHL club as their 'pro' club. if your Local club isn't playing, you can go hop in with your 'pro' club, which you could earn points, play in some type of playoffs, move your way up a ladder, where the Top 6 of every Pro club gets to play in a playoff?
feels like there's so much room to improve community in this game. yes, there's a lot of toxicity out there, but i feel like that's just because we're all separated. If we were able to work together and move more freely amongst clubs (and group together in a 'Pro' club) then it might help dial back the toxicity?
EA if you're listening, make me a part of the Community team!! i have ideas!