EA SPORTS™ NHL® 27 - BE A PRO DEEP DIVE BLOG
Welcome back to another deep dive into NHL 27! Following last year’s overhaul of Be a Pro, we’re back to take your career path to the next level. This year, locker room leadership is in your hands. From your first media interview to raising the Stanley Cup as your team’s Captain or Cornerstone, your decisions and performance define your legacy. Let’s dive into everything new in Be a Pro! BREAKDOWN EARLY CAREER CHOICES THE CAPTAINCY STORYLINE & PROGRESSION RESPONSIBILITIES AND PAYOFFS OF A LEADER CBA UPDATES & PRESENTATION EARLY CAREER CHOICES & QUALIFYING FOR LEADERSHIP Your journey toward becoming a leader starts from day one. During your initial Media interview, you’ll be faced with an impactful choice between three distinct traits: Influential, Confident, or Leader. Choosing the Leader path immediately sets your course across junior and international hockey: World Juniors & Memorial Cup: You’ll automatically assume the role of Captain for both your World Juniors team and during the Memorial Cup. Champions Hockey League (CHL): Choosing to play in the CHL assigns you as the team’s Alternate Captain. Influential / Confident Paths: Selecting either of these paths means you won't assume leadership roles in these tournaments. Regardless of your path, no player immediately earns a leadership role upon stepping onto NHL ice. You must earn your spot in the NHL locker room. Preseason Qualification Requirements To qualify for preselection as a potential Leader, you must complete these preseason objectives: Skill Tree Trait: Unlock the first Leader Trait in the new Leader Skill Tree. (Note: If you selected the "Leader" path during your initial interview, this is automatically unlocked). Roster Spot: Successfully make the NHL team roster following the 4-game preseason. Likeabilities: Reach Level 1 across Team and Management Likeabilities. By satisfying these criteria, you’ll be identified by your Coach as a candidate for the leadership group, clearing the path for regular-season leadership challenges. Additionally, top-tier prospects drafted 1st overall via the World Juniors who meet these preseason benchmarks will be designated with the formal Leader role during their rookie campaign. THE CAPTAINCY STORYLINE & SEASON PROGRESSION Earning the Captaincy isn't an overnight achievement; it's a long-term pursuit built on consistent performance and coach evaluations spanning the entire 84-game regular season. The leadership challenge structure is split into two equal 42-game phases, with your progress determined by your ongoing Coach Feedback grades: Phase 1 (Games 1-42): Meeting or exceeding these performance requirements during the first half of the season successfully unlocks Phase 2. Phase 2 (Games 43-84): Your development continues to be tracked by the Coach and GM, with your Coach Feedback grades serving as the primary metrics for your final evaluation after Game 84. Your official status, whether you’ve been promoted to Leader, Alternate Captain, or Captain, will be delivered by the Coach or GM during the offseason and takes effect for the following season. Position-Specific Leadership Paths Leadership hierarchy differs depending on whether you play as a skater or between the pipes: Skater Progression Path: Non-Leader → Leader → Alternate Captain → Captain Goalie Progression Path: Non-Leader → Leader → Presence → Cornerstone Challenge Outcomes & Role Promotions Your final evaluation after Game 84 determines your leadership rank for the next season, with your promotion path depending on your current status and performance: If you’re currently a Non-Leader: Partially completing or failing your objectives keeps you at Non-Leader status. Achieving your objectives promotes you to the Leader role. Overachieving rewards you with an accelerated promotion to Alternate Captain (or Presence) or even Captain (or Cornerstone). If you’re currently a Leader: Partially completing your objectives keeps you at your current status as a Leader. Achieving your objectives promotes you to the Alternate Captain (or Presence) role. Overachieving rewards you with an accelerated promotion to Captain (or Cornerstone). Failing to meet your assigned objectives results in a loss of rank to Non-Leader. If you’re an Alternate Captain or Presence: Partially completing your objectives keeps you at your current rank. Achieving or overachieving qualifies you for a promotion to Captain or Cornerstone. Failing your assigned objectives results in a loss of rank to a standard Leader. Failing significantly can result in being dropped to Non-Leader status. Note: If you overachieve and are offered the promotion to Captain, you have the opportunity to decline and become an Alternate Captain. Leadership Transitions: Trade and AHL Movement Leadership status is not static and can shift due to team movement or performance-based demotions: AHL Demotion: If your performance slips and you are sent down to the AHL, you will lose your current NHL leadership rank and reset to Non-Leader status upon your return. Trade or Free Agency: If you are traded or sign with a new team as a former Captain, you will join your new club as an Alternate Captain, allowing you to earn your way back to the Captaincy with your new organization. RESPONSIBILITIES AND PAYOFFS OF A LEADER Earning a leadership patch isn't just cosmetic; it unlocks major tactical responsibilities, team-wide perks, and tough media and locker room dilemmas fit for a team captain. Exclusive Leadership Responsibilities Choice of Linemates (Skaters Only - Alternate Captain / Captain): Shape your lines through the Chemistry storyline. Coaches assign challenges to solidify your pairings based on performance. Alternate Captain: Complete a single challenge at the start of the regular season, where you select one of two potential linemates to build chemistry with for the year. Captain: Possess enhanced authority, allowing you to directly request specific linemates and take an active role in roster management. Team Identity Focus (Captain / Cornerstone Only): Partner with the Coach to set the team’s identity focus, granting temporary or permanent attribute boosts to your entire squad based on your selection. Trade Deadline Focus (Captain / Cornerstone Only): Provide direct input to the GM regarding team needs as the trade deadline approaches. Media & Leadership Accountability (Leader, Alt Captain / Presence, Captain / Cornerstone): Face the Media, Coach, or GM during critical team moments, including win streaks, losing streaks, home stands, road trips, blowout wins or losses, comeback losses, or whenever your performance slips. CBA UPDATES & PRESENTATION ENHANCEMENTS Beyond the Leadership storyline, NHL 27 Be a Pro Year 2 delivers updates across other areas of the mode: CBA Schedule Updates: Preseason has been streamlined to a tight 4-game schedule, while the Regular Season now expands to 84 games. Existing challenges have been updated to reflect the 84-game format. Custom Rosters in World Juniors Flow: You can now use Custom Rosters during the World Juniors when starting in the Memorial Cup or Champions Hockey League, including the option to toggle the "Add Contract Year" setting from offline Franchise Mode. Norris Trophy Award NIS: Defensemen can now see the James Norris Memorial Trophy in the award ceremony cinematics. Step into the locker room, earn the respect of your teammates and coaching staff, and lead your team to glory in Be a Pro! NHL 27 BaP Deep Dive Blog
Which EA NHL year was your favorite?
Now that NHL’27 is out. I was wondering what year was your favorite year? I think the NHL’13 was pretty good. Long pre game intros, 3 stars of the game presentation but I think NHL’11 had the raising of the Stanley Cup banner. I forgot what year it was that had the terrible AI where the defenseman would stake backwards and stop right in front of the goalie. I think that was NHL’15 or ‘17 but that was a rough one. I wish they would “Re-Imagine” those intros, the 3 stars of the game and the banner cut scenes. So what say you. What’s your favorite year?Update be a pro hard caps!
Hi, I found this issue in nhl 26 be pro for getting high acceleration cap then only 89, reported it and was told they would look into it. But here it is again in nhl 27 be a pro. Please address this issue or let me know I’m I am missing something because many nhl players regardless of size have high then 89 acceleration rating. Why can’t I get it in be a pro?NHL 27 be a pro
Ea have to change the terrible form score system. It makes the game unplayable. I have 9 points in 4 games in the AHL and am sitting at a 72 form score. 65 minimum to move up. You only get good form from scoring points so it’s unplayable if you’re a defensive d man. I had 8 points in 4 games in the preseason but I didn’t score in the last game and it dropped my form score from 100 to 60 and I didn’t make the roster. This is the worst addition and was hoping it would be fixed in 27 but of course it wasn’t.One step forward, 2 steps back
Ok so I’ve eaten my words a bit. Gameplay is actually decent minus some of the typical things like AI just not doing what they are suppose to do if you are a defenseman, stop rushing up on offense but that’s minor. My issue is visually. It’s 2026 and yet this game looks worse than last year. The clipping is bad. The animations look so stiff and wtf is up with face scans this year? I hope you guys really do check these forums because this is badNHL 27 BAP and Beyond WISHLIST
So i haven't played the last two EA NHL games be it 25 and 26 but i feel that with 27 coming out this fall I'm sure that most of my recommendations won't be in the game but here is my wish list and if you see something you would like or it's already in the game, let me know. :) MINORS: I want the option to be able to play a half season in the minors before being drafted. Even if that means being put back a year so you get drafted in todays draft. It would be optional of course for those that don't like it but it shouldn't be mandatory either. DRAFT TWEAKS : Going into the draft, being at the draft itself and watching other players you played with and played against in heated rivalries get picked and to see where they're playing. PLAYER NEGOTIATIONS : Talks with teams before the draft and as a UFA but please allow the talks to happen on a social media buzz page that's separate so i can toggle what teams are interested in me and why, other player trades and moves too during off season and also a scale system of what teams are most interested in you for a fit on their team and why? INJURY REPORTS : I hate not knowing how i got injured or for how long. at least show on the calendar to show when I'm expected to return, if you needed surgery, doctor costs, rehab training. RETIREMENT: I would like to see players that have retired and be on a social media buzz page. Even able to be a part of the discussion in interviews about time playing with them or what you liked about them on and off the ice. When you Retire you have the option to retire your number in the rafters and to have a farewell ceremony. BANNER HOISTING RETURNS: I would like to see teams finally hoisting the banners again the following season after the playoffs and if the team made it far enough to hoist a banner or were division title holders. Also teams that you may play against that did achieve a banner would be hoisting it if you play in their arena on opening night. Would also be nice to see the banners to continue to hang there the following seasons and not just be some dream that doesn't exist the next season. LET'S GET TRAINING CAMP INTO THE MIX: I want to see pre-season drill camps, pre-game trainings you actually get to be a part of. Drills you can play in with team practice event days. It should be optional of course, but if you attend and play the training games like shooting, passing plays, scrimmages or D/Goalie games, you will be rewarded with more XP for your player coinciding with the games you chose to bring the stats up in the respected area like skating-skating drills, shot-shot and accuracy drills, etc. But if you don't partake in these drills you still get stat increases but a moderate amount compared to if you would have attended. BETTER INTERVIEWS: I know this sounds like beating a dead horse but can they at least provide reference materials from past games? Even the last game? like " oh you just hit 50 points in the season and you did it last season and here's the replay of your 50 point from it," Things also worth mentioning would be your point streaks, If on the brink of being traded and also when trades do happen on the team about playing with the new team or with a new player and what you think about them. Also please adopt more interview cut scenes that aren't in a lonely locker room where you're singled out. At least have more than one interviewer too please. TIMED QUESTIONS: This is something i though would have made its way into the game along time ago but its not. Abilities would play into this majorly and the better perk system would allow the questions or patience of the interviewer to give you more time the better the upgrades you have in this perk. HIGHLIGHTS: If their could be a media highlights section on the main hub which shows the highlights from your last game and also highlights from records being broken. I think a media highlights section on the main hub or a media buzz feed would work well for this. This could include highlights of your first point, goal, record breaking moments that can always be revisited too. MORE ACTIVITY ON THE BENCHES: Can we get players that stand and sit and shuffle and talk to trainers, get their gloves dried, sticks taped, skates edged and for once in my life drinking and not just in the penalty box?? players must be parched! Also the way players stand up and lean over the boards when someone's on the break away or a close goal in a full heated cycle in the offensive zone. Especially during the playoffs. Coaches move back and forth and even talk to different players depending on their play styles and if they are lacking or on a point streak or getting more ice time. Yelling on the bench at bad referee calls and if a team has had a less than lustre performance last season the media buzz should be that the option to vote the coach off the team and multiple choices to choose a new coach with different perks depending on their coaching styles if you fire them. NEW PERKS: I would like to see perks like Player Rally- where you can rally your players up before a game to give them added energy for the first 5 mins of the beginning of each period. The Bett-er- where when making bets with other players and you follow through it adds a special balance of power and energy to that player for the game. Vitamins- where taking added supplements can boost your in game performance. BETTER PLAYER/FAN INTERACTIONS: I want to see my player doing more than just the same 10 cologne ad wants that i never be a part of. But things where you sign sticks, toss some pucks to a kid over the glass, give fans fist bumps walking back to the dressing room. Btw if this is a family friendly game, where are the kids in this game anyways? Also signing hockey cards, jerseys at events that could be a fun mini game. FANS IN THE STANDS: Sure they say they updated the fan system but what I'd like to see is banging the glass more during board plays, big saves and goals, holding signs to the glass and more of them in the stands. End of period fan reactions to their team either hyped or down depending on how their team is doing. Cheering towards the camera! This is a staple to any arena so why not be a part of it? If the puck leaves the ice and into the stands, please at least show where it went or if the fan got it and the crowds reaction to it and not just vanishing through an unfazed spectator. Fans throwing items such as jerseys and trash on the ice after a game if the team was doing poorly. Also fans leaving the arena if their team is doing terrible. Fans coming into the games and leaving at the end and beginning of periods. DRESSING ROOM CUT SCENES: Why are you the only player in locker room during these conversations and interviews? Why can't their be other players in the room walking around, training staff?? I always feel like i'm a single one man team or the last man in the room. Please make it more of an exciting locker room environment. Also why cant we see more of the locker room? PLAYER INTERATIONS ON THE BENCH: Pretty simple just a cut scene dialogue of team mates asking you to be somewhere on the ice or even asking for assistance that you can answer while on the bench that would allow certain plays to unfold. Which would have been practiced during the team mate practice if you participated in it. Maybe they want a certain pass, a tip or just open for some one timers. It could also Agro if you agree or don't do what they are asking of you and could lead to some potential rewards if you fulfill their requests. Also interactions on the ice before faceoffs. I can see them talking but obviously it means nothing to us players but i believe it should be an added potential key moment to create a play that's optional. AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS FOR FANS: I'd like to see a moment after a game or before where a puck comes up on screen and a little cursor you can move with your joysticks while holding a trigger to resemble a marker and to sign a puck or two to give to awaiting fans. This also would work the same way for hockey cards and jersey signings. I know its strange but for BAP i feel like it would make it more immersive as a player. Also signing your first rookie card would be your first autograph you would do to open up a tutorial on the whole new system. Could you imagine the signatures you would see?? Also it would be nice to bring back hockey cards from around the league and imagine being able to collect them and if you complete a set you get perks and each year theirs a new set to collect including your own rookie card. Let Upper deck get a piece of this action in the game world. INJURY AND TRAINING STAFF: can we get training staff and medics running out onto the ice during an injury? and if its serious enough he stretcher and stick taps on the ice for the player? Not just them laying there the whole time during a fight and they just flop back and forth with no help. After the game a doctors report on the injury you might have sustained or what the player on you bench might have sustained. They use to have this in past games but then it was removed. Be nice to revisit. TEAM ORGANIZATION INVOLVEMENT: From other players to the coach to the GM, I want to see more than the usual. I want to have interactions from the trainers, the equipment staff, heck the guy who fills up the water bottles. Just something more immersive than just a bunch of robots combing the ice and rehearsing old lines. ACTUAL HOME ARENAS DURING CUT SCENES: Why am i always in some blank arena that doesn't look like my home arena when on my phone or talking to my agent? Why? I'm wearing the gear why not just put me somewhere else altogether then? i could be at home, getting a coffee, eating at a restaurant even. Just please not some who knows what arena. BETTER SPONSOR DEALS: If you make the plays and get more followers and acclaim, you can become sponsored by equipment and small businesses, (think helmet and jersey sponsors). Then when you are doing really well you can get the opportunity to get better sponsors. REMOVE MONEY ALTOGETHER: I think they were trying to figure this out and just left it limp in the water but for whatever reason money technically has no meaning once you've got everything permanent in perks and just seems lack. Now what I'd like to see is where you have contracts based on a skill perk system. If you sign with this team you get these X,Y and Z perks. If you do this and that during the game you get this perk for either a period or a game or two. Let's say you're in the penalty box too often, oh you just unlocked a trait for being a bruiser. Or let's say you got a couple of a hat tricks recently and now you're one away from getting puck-sational or whatever. I think it would be better to work towards these traits and perks instead of just buying them outright. NO JERSEY EQUIPTMENT: If my player is sitting there during interviews at least give me the equipment that i have chosen underneath it. Why can't we choose the equipment that we wear under our jerseys? what gives? Maybe I want to see Bauer Supreme Elite gear slathered all over me before i slap that jersey over my player. How can we make this happen? SPONSORSHIP BUILDING: I would like it if everything wasn't unlocked at the beginning of the season equipment wise. I also want no name gear to make a stand in this. Example: you just got drafted only no name brand gear and maybe one other are unlocked and only with gloves and helmet. Then as your progress through your career you gain the potential to unlock more equipment depending on your point totals and player abilities. BETWEEN PERIOD COACHING STRATEGIES: I liked in back in 2016/17 when they would tell you what you needed to do before the next period. But what i want to see is an actual cut scene in the locker room home or away where the coach is explaining what needs to be done. If the team is doing well the coach is happy and enthusiastic about the coaching tips and if you're doing bad he's heated and throwing things and has disciplinary coaching adjustments. I want to see a white board window pop up exposing all our mistakes on the ice and we need to do next period and who we should be covering etc. MORE TEAMS WANT TO AQUIRE YOUR SKILLS : Not just 3 teams but many more teams want to acquire yore set of skills. Be it the GM watched you and is interested, the ties you have with a former teammate on another team or just playing the team a lot in your division could open that up for you being one many different teams radars. Also perks and Traits would play a key role in being acquired as if that's what the other teams are looking for at the UFA terms of decision and you fit the bill to be able to play along side certain playmakers or snipers. AGENT AND ASKING PRICES: Were not just stopping at talent needing to be wanted on other teams but actual contract discussions EVERYTIME WE BECOME FREE AGENTS! Negotiations about for what amount that can be boosted and can fluctuate if you had a good season or not. Also you should be in control of your negotiations with your agent. Not just 3- 6 years max. I want contracts that can be as short as a year or as long as 7 years. Then if you don't agree to any teams discussions and contracts you can sit out of the season until a team steps forward with a more suitable contract to your liking. Also different teams should come with different contract perks. Be it more speed or better shooting, can make wild saves here, etc. You also should dictate your asking price too. If the teams not happy with your price after 3 attempts then it could mean the team would likely step away from further negotiations in the future with you. Agents do follow up with you about current end of season openings on other teams, certain contract proposals and interests you're drawing with your play style from around the league. Also for once able to send out a request to play for a team of your liking and not just at the beginning of your career. Also add in the signing of your contract the same way i mentioned before about signing autographs. A SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ PAGE: This should be at your home screen and calendar. It should be a side button where you can find information from around the league like what players did in games, highlights from around the league, highlights from your own past games, interviews from other players including fan interactions you can comment and like if you desire. Player injuries, players retiring and who's hot and who's not and trading cards that are unique, epic and legendary ones. Also injury reports and coach and GM hirings and firings. Other news too like player sponsorship deals and contract offers for players from around the league. TEAM DIRECTION: As let's say you should take on the role as team captain you should have a more pivotal role within the team because of it. Which once you become captain it would open up a more in-depth avenue to go down. Addressing issues with the team like What players are excelling and which ones aren't, the plays that should be made and where players should be. ways to direct the team into a win or multiple win streak. AN ACTUAL TROPHY ROOM: It would be nice to have a trophy room in your player home that can be upgraded as you play year to year and as you excel that can be viewed and interacted with. This would include pictures, hockey cards, sticks, pucks, team jerseys, life size replicas of the trophies you've won throughout your NHL career. Each trophy and collectable should come with a highlight of where you got it and what game and the date and time stamps as well as why its important whether its a first goal, assist of even a record breaking point. MORE ROOM TO GROW: Imagine that every point and skill and trait and perk matters to your player. Where once you jump into playing a a training mini-game you can focus on key parts you're lacking in. Bad at tipping? Then get in front of the net and for some tip drill mini game and see how many you can get past your goalie. The more times you get on target the tips, hits, saves etc, the more points you get for the upcoming game and multiplied by that and added to your skills and trait points. CUSTOM THIRD JERSEY CREATION KIT: I would it if you could create your own third jersey for your team and as many as you like. Using the teams crests of different variations, colors and also added shapes and lettering and symbols and pictures. Think Car customization with decals and vinyl wraps from NEED FOR SPEED HEAT but just for jerseys. Then you can wear and play in those jerseys every season and add on to it or change it altogether. Have a retiring player that year? or an event? ad it to the jersey. and as many jerseys as you can create. BLOOD: I understand why blood is not in the game but for players like me and others i'm sure you could at least add better damage to players after fights and blood that is optional you can turn on or off in the menu. CAN WE PLEASE GET THE ALLSTAR GAME BACK??: I just want to play in an all-star weekend. Let it be skill competition mini-games and then the actual game itself. AGENTS: I would like to see your agents start with some interesting attire like a polo shirt and slacks when they first meet you and then as you progress in your career depending on how well you're doing they begin to dress better and more unique. Also it would be nice to be able to fire your agent if you do not like what's been happening with you as contract offers and what's being said around the league and he's doing nothing to help you. Or if he's asking you to do low sponsorship work and your way above that but he's sleazy and just wants the money. With that i want to be able to select from a page of potential agents you could hire that would give your player certain play perks and traits if you take them on as your agent. Like one can give you better insights in media conversations or one can help you focus on upcoming games with certain players or more media coverage with a more broader span of your talents across the league that teams you might want to play for could take more notice. A PHONE HUD FOR YOUR MAIN MEDIA: I would like to see a phone screen that you can interact with once off the ice on the main menu that will show stats, upcoming games, calendar, interviews to be scheduled, team interactions off ice. I also would like a notification once the game is over to either partake in a media interview or not. You get more skill points/Perks If you do and none if you don't and less management likeability. Also if you speak too harshly about other teammates during these interviews that could affect how players play with you and if they end up wanting to be traded inevitably. EQUIPTMENT MANAGEMENT: Like to see the ability that with certain equipment you choose only certain parts can get you better perks during playing. Like heavier shots and bigger hits or better dekes, better speed if yore wearing certain sets. Plus having a complete set of a brand that sponsors you would unlock special perks and traits related to that equipment set un like other sets. FINALLY RETIREMENT: You should get a heads up from your agent that you could either go a little longer or you should retire or be sent down into the minor leagues. Once you choose to retire through your media buzz page and your agent follow up then your last game should be indicated by a date assigned by yourself whether it be a certain date or end of season or playoffs. At the last game a retirement ceremony will take place even along side the Stanley Cup final if you go that far. It should show flashbacks and highlights of all your NHL careers greatest moments, triumphs and milestones, achievements and records. A last team photo then a montage of you hanging up your skates. Then your number being raised to the rafters as a commemoration to the league and the game. Add a final interview with what you plan on doing now and best moments of your career end with your rookie card that you signed at the very beginning of your career.
