Human Goalie Suggestions - NHL 12

[WinstonLustkill12345]

I've played NHL-series goalie for a few years now, and I truly feel that the goaltending in NHL 11 is close to being special. I have 5 suggestions that I feel can push it over the top.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1: Those Strange Posts
- I think the human interaction with the posts needs a complete overhaul. Not only does your goalie occasionally spin into the net while moving and holding "hug post", but right joystick (RS) moves seemingly bounce the goalie away from the post. For those RS moves to be relevant, they can't cause you to leave a sizable gap between the pad and post.

(Solution: a high "Angles" rating will cause your goalie to play with the post. Example: if the puck moves to the side of the net, and you stand near that post, your goalie simply leans against it. Keep the "hug post" option in the game, but instead have RT perform the "complete cover" that is currently activated by holding LT, RT and up on the RS. Also: modify the RS moves to work with the post. Instead of pushing you back, a RS move against the post pushes that pad/skate against that post.)

2: You Call This "Vision"...
- This is one of my biggest gripes. Since when is it not possible to see something sitting on the ice in front of you? Tragically, our human goalies cannot. We're forced to try and peer through our own bodies to find the puck, which leads to easy rebound goals or - even worse - a drastic tiger-like puck cover leap. This is a brutal flaw.

(Solution: a high "Vision" rating will allow the human player to see the puck through his body only. The higher the attribute, the more visible the puck. I don't think covering the puck should be automatic, but pushing the cover puck button shouldn't be a blind gamble. This would also make the "Rebound Control" attribute work as intended.)

3: Right Button, Wrong Move
- I can't tell you how many times I've tried to poke a puck, just to have my goalie kick his leg to the side. This is a huge flaw: the poke check is a key weapon in a goalies' arsenal, and trying to poke check should not cause you to open your five hole instead. In addition, I think the cover puck button should be pressure-based. I don't need to leap across the crease if the puck is sitting in my lap.

(Solution: allow goalies (or all players, really) to customize their controls. I'd much rather poke check be X than up on the RS... that way, I know I'll poke when a poke is needed. Also, make it so tapping cover puck performs a simple cover, while holding it down makes a more drastic attempt.)

4: Well, It Looks Good
- I like what EA tried to do with the automatic "desperation" moves (the spinning, over-the-shoulder stick slash and the sudden behind-the-back leap, as examples), but they rarely work as intended (and can even cause you to score on yourself). I'd prefer my goalie not do either, to be completely honest.

(Solution: tie these moves in with the Aggressiveness attribute for goalies. The players that prefer these moves can spend a few points to make them happen more frequently. Those that would rather not can choose not to.)


5: The Goalies Need Swag, Too...
- Skaters seemed to have received all of the love over the last few years. Yes, the equipment options in NHL 11 are solid, but more needs to be done. I have three suggestions: 1) custom helmets, 2) added animations, and 3) nicknames.

- - 1) Custom Helmets. Many NHL goalies take pride in their helmets, and NHL 12 should be no different. A variety of logos, designs, styles, colors and even words should be available to add to a custom goalie helmet.

- - 2) Added Animations. Human players can skate up and "punch me" after a goal... why can't I have a bragging animation of my own? After a breakaway or penalty shot save, goalies should have a few celebratory options: flipping the puck around in your glove, smacking the puck out of your zone, even shrugging/shaking your head at the opposing player. Also, I'd like to do more after each play than stand there, or be forced to hold A to make saves. Let me save those post-whistle shots with regular animation, or shove a player or two.

- - 3) Nicknames. Yes, we all have play-by-play names, but why not make a realistic experience? I feel that goalies should also be able to select from a large variety of nicknames that fans will chant during the game (based on said goalies' performance). Example: the home goalie has saved 4 shots in a row, and the fans respond by shouting "JIMMY, JIMMY, JIMMY". If the saves continue, the shouting gets louder. If the game decides that the goalie is on fire, they could spend a stop in play to highlight that goalie, and have the chants evolve into a roar. Why not? Adversely, if a goalie is struggling on the road (allows 2 goals on 2 shots, for example), those home fans might chant his name in jest. The nicknames would be simple or even shortened first names. Anything.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With those additions, I feel that the goaltending in NHL 12 would be exactly what it should be: a truly incredible experience. Thanks for the time.

[WinstonLustkill12345]

I'd love some feedback on these ideas.

[BR0NXB0MBERS87]

I also have been a goalie primarily in both nhl 10 and 11, one thing I havnt seen anyone mention is goalie interaction with the puck. I know some goalies look stupid and make mistakes trying to play the puck, I myself will admit I have made a few myself, but 90 percent of the time I make a solid play. My peers have made references to marty broduer when it comes to me playing pucks. What I want to see is goalies actually able to skate with the puck, or make a quick stab at it to clear it away from danger. Not be forced into the animation where I grab the puck, and can only skate in a stationary circle. Not to mention the second, 1 n a half second delay when I actually grab the puck. I think the right stick should work similiar to how a skater uses the right stick to control his hockey stick. Puck comes toward the post, allow us to clear it to the corner. Overall better stick play, better puck play. And certainly what was mentioned above will make the goalie experience much more enjoyable.