NHL 27 Wishlist (LONG)
I have been playing NHL games since NHL 17, and every year, it seems like EA is going in the wrong direction with these games. Recently, EA added a few more positive changes to the in game atmosphere, controls, physics, new modes and updates to existing ones. But I feel that if EA listens to more fan input the games will sell more and be of more interest to NHL fans.
Gameplay:
Team Entrances from around NHL 07-13. Also have arena props for all teams, not just the Shark Head, Vegas Golden Knights Helmet, Dallas Star (Utah Arch would be cool)
All NHL Arenas should have banners commemorating championships and division titles won by other teams that share that arena (ex. Capital One Arena has Washington Bullets/Wizards banners, EA does have NBA rights to logos and branding)
More variation in warm up animations, also for first NHL game animations, players should not just be skating around but should maybe take a shot or two.
More commentary: I find the current commentary team (James Cybulski and Cheryl Pounder) to be kind of boring and unappealing. The average NHL fan will not know who they are and using more national broadcasters in game (Like using Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk in NHL 15-19) will definitely appeal more to the average NHL fan (maybe broadcasters from ESPN, TNT, TSN). Maybe input a setting where you can change the commentary lineup, just like in Madden 26.
Fix Washington and Utah's goal horn ASAP
Add more authentic songs, like NHL 24, to make a more realistic game and fan atmosphere. I miss the authentic goal songs from NHL 17 and EA should do everything they can to acquire rights to every single goal song used by the league today.
More fan interactions (Like screaming, cheering during delayed penalties, big hits etc)
All AHL arenas should be in NHL 27 and not just be a generic design with an authentic center ice line.
Creation Zone:
Custom goalie masks with 20+ different designs with coloring options and logo placement, maybe some designs.
More sponsors and brand logos besides NHL related stuff and hockey equipment brands makes everything feel real.
Add the option to put the arena name right by center ice, with various fonts players can choose from. There should also be community uploaded designs that players can use, just like NBA 2K.
More old equipment that should be available in CHEL and Player Editing, like Reebok, Easton, Nike Bauer, Cooper, etc.
Adding more old logos into the game, like Arizona Coyotes, Atlanta Thrashers, Brooklyn Americans, and Cleveland Barons.
Ability to edit NHL teams:
Especially if you wanted to simulate a game from an older era, I think that players should be able to edit teams to change their colors, arena, team, scoreboards, and center ice arena logos, primary uniforms, goal horns, and more to match that respective team from a different era (E.G. bringing back the Dallas Stars look from the 90's, with the old logo, uniforms, and arena. Also older nhl coaches would be cool, and players can change what coach coaches the team)
Also, authentic assistant coaches and bench staff members should be in NHL 27
Jersey additions and fixes for NHL 27:
Buffalo Sabres: The old Reebok black alternate jersey from the 2000's, just like their current alternate jersey, 2010-11 Home and Away
Calgary Flames: 2008-09 Home and Away
Carolina Hurricanes: Reebok Alternate debuting in 2008-09
Columbus Blue Jackets: 2007-08 Home and 2008-09 Away
Dallas Stars: 2007-08 Home and 2008-09 Away
Florida Panthers: The old jerseys from the 1990s
Montreal Canadiens 1950s-1960s uniforms
Ottawa Senators: 2007-08 Home and Away
Philadelphia Flyers: 2008-09 2nd Home and 2007-08 Away
Pittsburgh Penguins: Replace the "Reebok" wordmark on the back of the 2007-08 Classic jersey with the Reebok logo, 2007-08 Home and Away
Utah Mammoth: Utah HC Home and Away from 2024-25. Maybe: All Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes uniforms from NHL 24 (Assuming EA has rights)
Vancouver Canucks: 2007-08 Home and Away and 2008-09 Alternate
Washington Capitals: 2007-08 Home and Away
Winnipeg Jets: Maybe: All Atlanta Thrashers uniforms (if EA has rights)
Edit Player:
Being able to edit a player's age and looks to make them younger or older, especially useful for franchise mode, season, and playoff mode. There should also be an option for alumni players so their age won't be locked at 27/28 for these modes as well. All stats of these players should go back to the year where they were that age.
Franchise Mode:
Professional Tryout Offers (PTOS)
Jersey Retirement (As a promotion event)
NHL Tags on Created Team jerseys
Custom Team banners hang from the arena for division championships, stanley cups etc.
More franchise mode cutscenes (Ex. Captain hoists the Stanley Cup as other players follow at the home opener if the team wins the cup the previous year)
Other modes:
Bring back Winter Classic and add Stadium Series, and have them be playable in Franchise mode and Be A Pro
NCAA:
EA should really reconsider adding NCAA Division 1 Teams into NHL 27, especially considering they should have the rights of most of the schools because of College Football.
Be a Pro:
More interactions with teammates, not just the teammate with the highest overall, maybe some texts from former teammates.
NHL Alumni:
Adding more alumni players makes recreating older games feel a lot more realistic. EA should start adding a bunch of new players who are preferably members of the nhl alumni association to make rights acquisitions easier. While I don't have a lot of preferences, bringing back confirmed alumni members Bergeron, Fleury, and Subban to NHL 27 feels like a must. EA should also consider adding recent Hall-Of-Famers to these alumni rosters. EA should listen to fan input on this and should consider adding a second team for all current alumni association teams if they get too full.
If there is anything that you like that isn't on this list, please put this in the comments, and also like this post so that it's noticed by the EA community!
