NHL 17 News Post

NHL 17 - More Details on Gameplay, Franchise, EASHL & Much More (Game Informer)

10:39 AM - July 3, 2016 by GrandMaster B

Game Informer has posted 68 things they know about the game, that you might not be aware of. The list includes details from gameplay, franchise, EASHL, Draft Champions, HUT and much more. Some items are listed below, but read the entire article here.

Practice mode is finally more fleshed out, allowing you to practice with one player versus a goalie, power plays, penalty kills, 3v3, etc. You can even practice as a goalie.
For the first time in many years, EA is introducing a new difficulty. The semi-pro setting slides nicely between amateur and pro settings.
In fact, EA has surfaced tuning sliders for most gameplay settings so players can tweak to their liking. The new sliders are the same ones the developers use to tune the game, ranging from 0 to 100. They now allow players to alter settings of everything from the speed of passes and how much players bobble passes to the frequency that specific penalties get called.
Everyone who played the past two NHL games has a story about landing a successful check that knocks the player to the ground, only to have the puck be shielded by the downed player, which allows the checkee to recover possession before the checker has a chance to win the puck. EA thinks it finally found a solution to this. When you hit a player away from the puck direction, the puck can come free now and keep going. That should cut down the number of times we see this frustrating circumstance occur.
You can always spend to the salary cap, but the owner may not want you to. If you overspend past your budget outlines on contracts anyway, should you fail to meet the owner expectations, his judgment will be much tougher.

Game: NHL 17Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS4 / Xbox OneVotes for game: 5 - View All

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Member Comments

# 1 SocialAssassin @ 07/03/16 01:05 PM

Hopefully they picked 68 for Jaromir.

# 2 Moose24x @ 07/03/16 06:29 PM

So not only is the only thing really added to GM mode the ticket and concession prices, but if I don't manage them well it will effect how much my owner wants me to spend on my roster? Find me one GM in the NHL who determines bathroom repairs and concession prices. What if you have no interest in fiddling with this stuff? You no longer can play a franchise to full enjoyment because poor merchandise sales effect your team's internal budget.

# 3 Simple Mathematics @ 07/03/16 06:35 PM

There's some good stuff in here that I have not heard yet. I'm excited for the team budgets in Franchise Mode. I'm hoping they have teams like Toronto, Montreal, and the Rangers be able to spend up to the cap ceiling and teams like Arizona, Florida, and Carolina barely spend more than the cap floor. This could be a game-changer if this is done correctly.

# 4 azy19 @ 07/03/16 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrandMaster B


	After two years of using orchestral music in menus, NHL 17 returns to the EA Trax approach of featuring contemporary bands on the soundtrack.

Thank god.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simple Mathematics


	There's some good stuff in here that I have not heard yet. I'm excited for the team budgets in Franchise Mode. I'm hoping they have teams like Toronto, Montreal, and the Rangers be able to spend up to the cap ceiling and teams like Arizona, Florida, and Carolina barely spend more than the cap floor. This could be a game-changer if this is done correctly.

I don't get why so many people are upset over the new franchise stuff. It's atleast something to do instead of the very bare bones roster management.

# 5 BlacknBlue @ 07/03/16 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moose24x


	So not only is the only thing really added to GM mode the ticket and concession prices, but if I don't manage them well it will effect how much my owner wants me to spend on my roster? Find me one GM in the NHL who determines bathroom repairs and concession prices. What if you have no interest in fiddling with this stuff? You no longer can play a franchise to full enjoyment because poor merchandise sales effect your team's internal budget.

Exactly! I couldn't care less about setting concession prices and worrying about all of that. Just like last year I didn't want the fake chemistry and roles being assigned to players and impacting their on-ice performances. Just make the players play like they do in real life and let me control them.

But honestly, I've far past given up on franchise/GM mode in this game simply because of how putrid the AI is. Maybe if we could control all teams and have our friends control other teams (like a GM connected mode, even if only offline) then I would give it another shot.

# 6 Simple Mathematics @ 07/03/16 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azy19


	Thank god. I don't get why so many people are upset over the new franchise stuff. It's atleast something to do instead of the very bare bones roster management.

I just think people would have rather seen things like improved scouting, trade logic, draft day, player growth, etc. I think a lot of people here (me included) are buying this game to simply play hockey, so we don't really care about concession prices too much.

I think the owner-type things they have added this year would have been a cool addition after they nailed down some of the basics like scouting a little more. Even still, they should give you an option to turn this stuff on "auto" so if you don't care about popcorn prices you don't have to worry about it.

For me, I'd take improved hockey-related items in Franchise Mode any day before I got the ability to change concession prices.

# 7 Money99 @ 07/03/16 10:32 PM

Quote:


	Everyone who played the past two NHL games has a story about landing a successful check that knocks the player to the ground, only to have the puck be shielded by the downed player, which allows the checkee to recover possession before the checker has a chance to win the puck. EA thinks it finally found a solution to this. When you hit a player away from the puck direction, the puck can come free now and keep going. That should cut down the number of times we see this frustrating circumstance occur.

Love that they fixed this.

Still don't understand why they are so against altering the player ratings though.

# 8 Money99 @ 07/03/16 11:07 PM

It seems that not many are happy with the offline franchise mode and what it entails.
I'm actually excited for it. I don't know how it'll work out and if all the moving parts will fit.

But I'm glad they added some spice to the GM mode.
I hope that we can be fired and have to look for new work as well.
Would be even cooler if we had to start in another league like the ECHL, AHL or overseas before making your way back to the NHL.

# 9 SocialAssassin @ 07/04/16 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azy19


	Thank god. I don't get why so many people are upset over the new franchise stuff. It's atleast something to do instead of the very bare bones roster management.

Uh, the music has always been awful.

# 10 Freakywwe @ 07/04/16 05:37 AM

They can add all the concession stand price changes they want if they give u better scouting. Scouting has always been garbage

# 11 MizzouRah @ 07/04/16 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simple Mathematics


	I just think people would have rather seen things like improved scouting, trade logic, draft day, player growth, etc. I think a lot of people here (me included) are buying this game to simply play hockey, so we don't really care about concession prices too much. I think the owner-type things they have added this year would have been a cool addition after they nailed down some of the basics like scouting a little more. Even still, they should give you an option to turn this stuff on "auto" so if you don't care about popcorn prices you don't have to worry about it. For me, I'd take improved hockey-related items in Franchise Mode any day before I got the ability to change concession prices.

Exactly.. I want to play a sim like hockey experience where my AI players actually feel like they have a brain.

I seriously hope you can have the AI control these concessions/ticket prices crap. I play every single game, spanning multiple seasons and I just want a better morale system and to be able to resign players during the season!

I've supported the "only" hockey game in town for many years and I'll get this one because I love hockey so much, but damn EA this is sounding more and more like fluff to mask the gameplay issues.

# 12 azy19 @ 07/04/16 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simple Mathematics


	I just think people would have rather seen things like improved scouting, trade logic, draft day, player growth, etc. I think a lot of people here (me included) are buying this game to simply play hockey, so we don't really care about concession prices too much. I think the owner-type things they have added this year would have been a cool addition after they nailed down some of the basics like scouting a little more. Even still, they should give you an option to turn this stuff on "auto" so if you don't care about popcorn prices you don't have to worry about it. For me, I'd take improved hockey-related items in Franchise Mode any day before I got the ability to change concession prices.

Yeah I'd definitely take improvements to scouting, trading and any other roster management or actual GM tasks over being able to change concession prices, but I'm not upset over it being added. It'll be pretty cool for a season or two and then it'd get boring(depending on how in-depth it is) but hopefully it won't be too hard to manage so it doesn't ruin the mode.

# 13 JimmyDeicide @ 07/04/16 01:10 PM

Probably the best Pre release article to date some solid info for every type of mode.
Other than the fact they say tie ups is a new thing, im sure its just putting back in the rather crappy net battles that have already been in the game. Do they thinkwe cant remember that far back or what ? its this kinda thing that pisses people off EA just say what it is an old mode weve thrown back in just to say thay added something new.

Opening the sliders to us while its awesome for offline that realy isnt an addition is it, i mean nothing they had to work on.

SO when all is said and done what have they worked on all year? Man it really is a small team isnt it.
well i didnt sart this post to be negative lol it just took a turn as really im quite looking forward to tweaking the gameplay with these ill say opened sliders not new, i guess its like a used car new to us.
That might be enough to get me to play more than 3 offline games in 17.

Anyway great article thanks for posting it.

# 14 brandon27 @ 07/05/16 12:06 PM

Some good stuff in there that I hadn't heard yet. Makes me feel at least some positivity towards this game this year. Haven't experienced a lot of that as of yet, but this article helps.

Nice to hear they think they've found a solution for the puck getting stuck to a player you've just laid out with a big hit only to see him pop back up with the puck because you can't get it. That's going to eliminate a lot of frustration for me.

A little bothered though by the fact I can't build my team a new arena without moving them. I should be able to build Detroit a new arena if I want to since I assume franchise mode wont have the new arena in the second season similar to how Madden has teams new stadiums in the second year of franchise mode. But really, why implement the arena creating option into franchise, but limit the player to when and where they can use it? If I choose to blow my team's cash unnecessarily on a new arena, I should be able to do that, then pay the consequences later. I just hate that we get a nice feature like that, but can only use it if we move our team to a new city. I don't want to make fake renovations to my aging arena to help boost my revenues. If my arena is that bad, let me build a new one without relocating. Clearly the ability is there to do it, why force me to move? Just don't get that design decision.

# 15 actionhank @ 07/05/16 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azy19


	Thank god. I don't get why so many people are upset over the new franchise stuff. It's atleast something to do instead of the very bare bones roster management.

It's not that their exactly made about the new stuff, more frustrated that the old stuff hasn't been given any love in a while.

My personal frustration is that EA often adds features, but the features aren't fully fleshed out and don't really add much. The Morale thing seemed like it would be cool, but it doesn't really seem to affect anything at all in game. If my guys are happy or sad, it doesn't really matter to me. I'm not going to have a star demand a trade. I don't have to worry about guys not wanting to sign with me because I trade players a lot, or because we're frequently in the league basement. Similarly, there's no real excitement to any of the out-of-game action. The trade deadline, the free agent signings, all of it just feels pretty flat.

So, I'm not really mad they added something new. More frustrated they're expanding the mode before it really works that well.

That aside, I'm eager to see how the sliders work. Sliders in this game have been a source of frustration for a while. Some seem to work opposite of how we expect them to, and others don't seem to change much at all. It will be really nice if the new sliders can get the AI to miss on some passes, and maybe make it a bit more worth your time to pay attention to who's on the ice.

As it stands now, it doesn't really matter if my shutdown line is out on the ice, because my 4th line grinders work just as well on the defensive end of things. They can send out Malkin and Crosby, but I don't need to worry about getting Steen and Stastny out there, because the faceoff is likely a toss-up, and the defensive side of things won't matter much.

Better sliders could mean that Crosby is going to be lethal with his passing, while their 3rd line center might not be so dangerous, instead of the current mode, where every line can make laser passes all day with the AI controlling them.

# 16 mkilcNYR @ 07/05/16 02:21 PM

The slider addition is nice and I'm a fan of greater price control like in NBA 2K but I only like it because the GM mode itself is fully fleshed out and the rosters are good. Everyone on all teams play the same whether they are on the 1st, 4th, or in the AHL. I just don't see sliders having that much of an impact when all the players are rated so close to each other. I would want to see greater roster customization and flexibility before I buy another NHL game

# 17 BlacknBlue @ 07/05/16 03:02 PM

While I like them seemingly addressing the hits with the players falling on the pucks and getting back up without losing possession, I fear that it will be "fixed" by just having more of the puck squirting out to the next closest teammate, like it currently does.

Pay attention to when you hit a cpu player that has the puck, around 7+ times out of 10 the puck will instantaneously go to the next closest cpu player. It almost works better than a pass for them.

And one of the biggest issues playing against the CPU remains the unnatural movements/skating, especially in the neutral zone. Never in my life of playing and watching hockey have I seen players race up the ice and stop and then backpedal and move the way the CPU can in the neutral zone. Looks like basketball players half the time.

# 18 spoofrice11 @ 07/05/16 06:59 PM

Anyone know more about how creating teams will work?
I just want to be able to replace teams with my created teams and not have to be a city I don't like until it lets me move the team in the future.

It needs to be like MyLeague in NBA 2K16 where you can upload images and then replace teams in the League. (One thing 2K16 needed was though to be able to create your team before starting your Franchise and being able to use your logo/jerseys/stadium instead of having to create all of that after you start and re-doing it if you want to start over.

I am trying to decide on if I want to get NHL or Madden this year and was leaning towards NHL, but that could get me to change my mind.

# 19 bad_philanthropy @ 07/05/16 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoofrice11


	Anyone know more about how creating teams will work? I just want to be able to replace teams with my created teams and not have to be a city I don't like until it lets me move the team in the future. It needs to be like MyLeague in NBA 2K16 where you can upload images and then replace teams in the League. (One thing 2K16 needed was though to be able to create your team before starting your Franchise and being able to use your logo/jerseys/stadium instead of having to create all of that after you start and re-doing it if you want to start over. I am trying to decide on if I want to get NHL or Madden this year and was leaning towards NHL, but that could get me to change my mind.

Don't count on it being anything like NBA. NHL is a much smaller budget title. Expect the team relocation to be somewhat like Madden's has been for years.

As far as created teams, there is no info yet. Last gen you could create a team from any city you named and replace whatever team you wanted in GM mode with. It was a functional, if barebones, implementation.

# 20 bad_philanthropy @ 07/05/16 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruinsHockey08


	Even if it is like Madden, is that a bad thing? I don't think so. I haven't done anything on NBA for relocation so I can't sit here and say how good or bad it is, but the relocation option is very appealing to me.

Agreed on Madden. I really like it, and I'm looking forward the feature (however it is implemented) in NHL.

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NHL 17 - More Details on Gameplay, Franchise, EASHL & Much More (Game Informer)