NBC/TNT/ESPN/Sn scorebugs and broadcasters
NHL 27 would feel so much more immersive if EA added real broadcast packages and scorebugs from networks like ESPN, TNT, NBC, and Sportsnet. Imagine loading into a game and getting different presentation styles depending on the broadcast partner — unique intros, overlays, scorebugs, replay wipes, intermission graphics, and commentary styles. For example: ESPN games could have the modern ESPN hockey graphics and presentation TNT games could include the darker studio-style broadcast look NBC could return with the classic NHL on NBC presentation fans still miss Sportsnet broadcasts could give Canadian teams authentic Hockey Night in Canada vibes Different scorebugs for national games, rivalry games, playoffs, outdoor games, and Stanley Cup Finals would make every matchup feel unique instead of using the same overlay every game. EA should also bring back the intro-to-game atmosphere from NHL 15-19. Those games made matchups feel important with cinematic opening shots, arena flyovers, crowd hype, starting lineup intros, dramatic music, and broadcast-style presentation before puck drop. The newer games feel too quick and arcade-like when loading into games. Imagine: Full opening montages before rivalry and playoff games Dynamic camera shots of warmups and packed arenas Real broadcast intros depending on the network Stanley Cup playoff intros with louder crowds and playoff energy Outdoor game presentation with unique overlays and commentary Presentation changing depending on game importance Presentation is what makes sports games feel alive. Bringing back the NHL 15-19 broadcast vibe combined with real ESPN/TNT/NBC/SN packages would make NHL 27 feel like an actual NHL broadcast instead of just another game. I know this is very hard to pull off due to licensing and will 99.9% not happen but this I something that will bring back players that stopped playing, even if this happens soon like NHL 27+ it will make me and a lot of people happy.
Franchise mode
I love playing Franchise mode. One thing that annoys me, that makes me quit every career, is that players no longer have a player photo from the 3rd draft onwards. Sometimes even before. It would be nice, like in Madden or FIFA, if players had a generated image that matched their face.NHL 27 and on Should Build Around 6v6 – Here’s Why
To the NHL Development Team, I am writing this as someone who genuinely loves this franchise and wants to see it grow long term. The gameplay has improved in many ways. Movement feels better and the pace feels better. However, there are competitive balance issues and a larger direction issue that needs attention if NHL 27 is going to grow instead of plateau. This is not a rant. It is a case for where the franchise has real long-term potential. The 6v6 community, which is the most structured and competitive part of the player base, is struggling with specific mechanics. Truculence is a problem. Most serious 6v6 leagues ban it outright. When organized competitive communities self-ban a feature, that is a sign of imbalance. Back Atcha allowing reverse hits to counter poke checks removes defensive skill expression. Hitting should feel like realistic contact such as bumping, angling, and separating from the puck rather than sending players flying every shift. Too many goals slide under goalie pads. Low quality trickle goals are not satisfying to score or defend. Skill based top corner shots should be more viable and rewarding. Competitive players want balance and skill expression, not arcade overrides. The bigger issue is the 6v6 ecosystem being undersupported. Right now, the franchise feels centered around HUT monetization. I understand why, as Ultimate Team generates strong revenue. However, industry data consistently shows that players engaged in organized teams and social groups have significantly higher retention rates than solo players. Multiplayer research shows that players in organized squads stay longer, social identity increases lifetime value, and competitive ladders increase engagement per session. NHL already has this foundation in EASHL 6v6 Clubs, but it has not been fully built out. Bringing back the spirit of GM Connected in a 6v6 League Connected format could change everything. Imagine built in commissioner tools, scheduled games, draft systems, player trades, integrated stat tracking, promotion and relegation between major and minor leagues, smart CPU fills that are actually competent, and a built in social hub similar to Discord. Right now the community builds all of this manually outside the game, which means engagement is happening off platform. If NHL owned that infrastructure, it would increase retention, streaming content, rivalries, community growth, and organic esports pathways. I am not saying remove HUT. However, 6v6 could be monetized in long term ways through custom arenas, goal horns, ice projections, club banners, jersey alternates, league branding packs, arena cosmetic upgrades, and championship prestige cosmetics. Players will pay for identity, especially when it represents their team. The emotional attachment to a club over multiple seasons is stronger than attachment to a temporary card lineup, which creates long term monetization rather than annual reset monetization. Offline modes also need attention. Be A GM and Be A Pro have not meaningfully evolved in years. Offline modes are entry points into the ecosystem, and if offline stagnates, the pipeline shrinks. The NHL franchise does not need to chase arcade shooter energy. It already has something stronger: structured, social, competitive hockey. The 6v6 community is not asking for chaos. We are asking for infrastructure. If you build around 6v6 identity, league systems, and social retention, you will strengthen the entire franchise's long term health.Suggestions to improve the EASHL experience in NHL 26 +
Hello EA Sports, I'm a Product Development Director with over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, and an expert in UX/UI. I'm also a passionate player of the NHL series, especially in EASHL mode, which I regularly enjoy with my 3 friends player team. I'd like to offer a few concrete suggestions that could significantly enhance the overall experience for your player base. Here are a few ideas that could bring high value to the community: 1. Smart reconnection via session token Currently, if a player is disconnected (network drop, crash, etc.), they are permanently removed from the match, which puts their team at a major disadvantage. Suggestion: generate a reconnection token at the beginning of the game that remains valid until the match ends. This would allow any disconnected player to rejoin the same match automatically upon relaunching the game. You could even add a notification like: “Patrick has rejoined the game!” 2. Ability to change loadout mid-match Sometimes players enter a match with the wrong build or need to adapt mid-game to the opponents' strategy. Suggestion: allow loadout changes between periods, just like a coach adjusting tactics. 3. Unique customization per loadout At the moment, all loadouts share the same name, number, helmet, and visual setup. Suggestion: let players assign individual visual customization to each loadout. This would let a player visually represent different roles (e.g. a flashy loadout for a sniper, a rugged look for a grinder, etc.). 4. Configurable AI teammate styles When playing with small teams (e.g. 2 or 3 players), the remaining teammates and goalie are controlled by AI and can sometimes behave unpredictably. Suggestion: allow players to configure the AI teammate playstyle, such as: Goalie type (butterfly, hybrid, acrobatic…) Forward or defenseman profile (offensive, playmaker, physical…) Level of aggressiveness or caution This would add a layer of strategy and control while reducing frustration caused by rigid AI behavior. Final thoughts These suggestions aim to enhance the experience for serious and engaged players, bringing more flexibility, depth, and reliability to the EASHL mode. Thank you for considering this feedback Kind regards
Bring NHL back to PC – Crossplay potential
Hello EA Sports NHL Team, I have been a loyal NHL fan since NHL 07 on PC. After that, I played every NHL game on PS3, PS4, and PS5, buying each new release. But now that I’ve switched to PC, I can’t play NHL anymore, and I really miss it.I truly believe NHL on PC has great potential, especially with crossplay. Many PC players want to play with their friends on consoles, both together in online clubs and against each other. If crossplay works in FIFA and NBA, why not in NHL? Eventually, it will have to happen, so why not now?By not releasing NHL on PC, you are losing dedicated fans who have simply moved to a better platform for graphics and performance. It’s frustrating that I can no longer enjoy NHL with my friends like before. My friend and I used to create an online club—me as a Center, him as a Goalie—and we had so much fun playing together. Now, I have no way to experience that, and I know I’m not the only one in this situation. I don’t want to buy a console just for NHL, and I don’t want to be forced to just watch others play while I sit out simply because I chose to game on PC. Please consider bringing NHL back to PC with full crossplay support. There is a demand for it, and many fans would love to see it happen. Thank you for your time.