They already said they didn't do much work on new animations so it's not a let down to me that the player movement largely looks the same. Overall the game is still good, and I like the little changes. It's a big thing that we're getting a game on next gen hardware and not losing a ton of stuff in the process so I'll take it. However there are a few things I wish were brought back or added. FYI I almost exclusively play EASHL 3v3/6v6 with human goalies.

Let me know if you agree:

1 - Team celebrations. Why can't everyone on the ice celebrate when a goal is scored. It frustrates me to no end when I make a good stop in the defensive zone (I play defense), get the turn over and quickly pass to a breaking forward for a 2 on 1. they make a great give and go and score and I'm left just gliding with a canned auto animation. I'm as much a part of that play as they are, I should be able to celebrate with my custom celebration too. Which leads to...

2 - If they add this then they can get really creative with the goal celebrations and teams can get creative with in sync celebrations. We can come up with our own group style and it can shine through this way. Could be a way to make the EASHL teams more of our own team

3 - Glass breaking/getting hit into the bench. These don't happen super often, but they happen. And when they do it's a big moment that gets fans excited and pumped. Why have they been removed? I'm not talking about a glitch where it looks like a player goes into the bench. There used to be an animation of players going over the bench, or the glass shattering when hit with a puck or a player goes into it. These could make for cool moments and there's no reason it should not be in the game.

4 - Separately, players having their gloves fall off or sticks broken. These are little moments that don't add a ton to the overall gameplay, but can add a lot of flair to the game. Again these happen in hockey and people take notice. I'm not talking about the glove coming off during an animation, but the glove falling off and becoming an obstacle on the ice. With this, add an animation where the ref goes to pick up the glove/stick when the plays moves away. They do this in real life and it'll go a long way in making the game feel like real hockey.

5 - Load Out switching. It would be amazing if between periods we can switch our playstyle. if I start as a 2 way defenseman, and we are getting dominated physically then I should be able to switch to my enforcer load out. Or vice versa, if we need speed then let us change it up. Again, changes like this happen during the game in real life all the time. Coaches take faster players and throw them on the first line, or maybe see players gelling and put them together. Maybe the center and winger just don't look like they're on the same page, so let me switch from a defensive load out to an offensive one and move up to offense. it's a part of real hockey, should be in the game. Which leads to...

6 - Live goalie changing. Say we start a game and I'm in net. the first few shots go in and I can just tell I'm off my game. I should be able to switch to a skater position and give someone else a shot. Again, this is in real hockey, should be in the game. If it has to be between periods then fine, but we should absolutely be able to decide as a team that a change needs to be made.

7 - Spectating. I have a group of 5 people that play a few times a week. We like to play 3v3 with a human goalie over 6v6. it would be nice if when we're all on, we can play 3v3 and have the player sitting out spectate. almost act as a coach for the game. Or let him sit on the bench and if one guy is struggling let us "change it up".

8 - lastly, skills competition. I don't remember which game it was (I want to say the NHL 2K series), but an older game had a skills competition with hardest shot, fastest skater and accuracy mini games. Bring this back. It's just fun to compete and would be another game mode that can be done online.

9 - Better/More varied fighting. I understand this is something that is becoming less a part of the game. But it IS part of the game and hockey fans/players don't want it gone. Scrums post whistle should be included even in EASHL, and there should be an effect to the gameplay. Fans should become louder in a tight match up or a very physical one. How about the players and coaches on the bench react to the gameplay more and look alive instead of static images.

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I'm sure I can think of more. What do you think?