I wouldn't say its worse than last year. The CPU defense remains very bad especially considering the advertised gameplay emphasis on realism. That makes BAP not really enjoyable plus the sliders which are still not saving. I don't care much about cutsceness if the gameplay is fun.
But including a full juniorseason to determin your draftvalue would be the most motivating inclusion like in NHL 14.
After playing with the sliders in NHL 25 i enjoyed a new NHL Game for the first time since NHL 14 and was no fun to play the old one anymore.