NHL 17 Q&A - Skating Improvements, Crease Battles, EASHL, Creation Zone & Much More

[Steve_OS]

NHL 17 Producers are answering questions on their Ask NHL page, similar to how they did it last year. If you have questions, make sure to submit them here.

We've posted some of the questions and answers below, click here to read them all.

How has skating been improved?

Skating has been improved in a lot of ways. We looked at responsiveness in pivots, ability to interrupt a pivot when it physically makes sense, ensuring that proper momentum and acceleration is consistent across all turning (deking, protecting the puck, etc.) which makes the puck carrier’s agility more realistic. We also worked a lot on facing angles and the control you have on defense to angle puck carriers, specifically looking at the angles and speeds you can take cross overs at before having to rotate your hips. You will also notice that you can step out and accelerate in a new direction like you can from a stop at speeds that makes it physically possible, rather than having to take a longer pivot out to convert your momentum like you do at high speeds.

Will new Goalie AI accompany the new animations?

Yes. In adding new blocking saves, the goalies save mechanics have been updated as well, so goalies will move their body into shots rather than making a limb based save which ultimately made them more vulnerable to be beat. They also know to stay tighter to their posts when the puck is down low and passes and shots are coming in tight to the net.

Can you talk about crease battles and cross crease goals from last year?

Yes. When we looked at one of the main issues for defenders it was the ability to tightly mark a player in front of the net or on the weak side. Last year, there was a big focus on getting defensive deflections and interceptions right but this year, we really wanted to focus on that close defending of a player. With net battles and extended stick lifts, you are given tools to tie up a player in front of the net so that you can take the goal side position and move them out from screening your goalie, tie up their stick, or simply just get in the way of them making a play.

Will there be a defensive skill stick?

No, there won't be a defensive skill stick for this year. Knowing that we needed a way to tightly mark a player in front, we focused on the addition of Net Battles and extended stick tie ups. Through discussions with the community, the GameChangers and internally, there were ideas on how a defensive skill stick could work but at this point there isn't a plan on how it wouldn't compromise other controls in one way or another. In theory, having more control is always better but we want to ensure if we go down that path, it is ultimately able to achieve that goal without taking control away elsewhere.

Will there be GM Connected in NHL 17?

GM Connected will not be in NHL 17.

[Moose24x]

In summary:

No, we haven't added a defensive skill stick, mid-season contract negotiations, coaches challenges, or made any improvements to BaGM but we have made it possible for you to set the prices of hamburgers and hotdogs, sell advertising around the arena and create your own teams and arenas (which will undoubtedly lead to ungodly obnoxious and ugly innovations). Enjoy!

[Freakywwe]

Quote: Originally Posted by Moose24x

In summary: No, we haven't added a defensive skill stick, mid-season contract negotiations, coaches challenges, or made any improvements to BaGM but we have made it possible for you to set the prices of hamburgers and hotdogs, sell advertising around the arena and create your own teams and arenas (which will undoubtedly lead to ungodly obnoxious and ugly innovations). Enjoy!

Why post anything if you're just going to complain? Obviously you'll never be happy with the product so why bring everyone else down?

[TDKing]

No GM Connected 😢. I don't care about hot dog prices. They're bringing back net battles lets see how that works out. Still stuck with stock builds in EASHL. Madden had a big turnover in staff it may be time for NHL to do the same. We need a New vision for the game I think

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

[TDKing]

Quote: Originally Posted by Freakywwe

Why post anything if you're just going to complain? Obviously you'll never be happy with the product so why bring everyone else down?

He's disappointed in the game as am I (so far anway). If your happy about what's been added good for you i dont see what he posts bringing you down they have added things you like right.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

[Simple Mathematics]

I am pumped for the 100 point sliders. I hope that can fix a lot for the gameplay. I wish they focused on more hockey-related items for Franchise mode like scouting, trades, free agency, mid-season contract negotiations, goalie fatigue, etc.

I'm excited to see this new collision system. I hope it actually allows us to rub people off on the boards and push them out of the way.

Really wanted a defensive skill stick. I don't really understand how it would negatively affect the other controls.

[HenryClay1844]

So, interested about what it will mean to fully customize a team and it's jersey? Will this mean stock designs or logos, or can we import images? Can we create just one team or a whole league? So I'd like to make both the Quebec Nordiques or Hartford Whalers and maybe create the KHL or top college teams.

[clarkerots]

Quote: Originally Posted by Simple Mathematics

I am pumped for the 100 point sliders. I hope that can fix a lot for the gameplay. I wish they focused on more hockey-related items for Franchise mode like scouting, trades, free agency, mid-season contract negotiations, goalie fatigue, etc. I'm excited to see this new collision system. I hope it actually allows us to rub people off on the boards and push them out of the way. Really wanted a defensive skill stick. I don't really understand how it would negatively affect the other controls.

Isn't this going to make more slider people nuts though? There's so much effort that goes into sliders and testing and sliders and testing.........won't it be an endless test of "puck control at 88 doesn't feel as good at 86"?

Maybe not, I don't know.....it just scares me a little.

As far as what I'd like to see........one of my top 5 would be a trading deadline that doesn't only include 5 trades (with 4 of them generated by the User team).