After yesterday’s release of NHL 18 info, we figured it was a good time to gather our hockey guys here at Operation Sports to talk about what we just learned about. Check out our responses to today’s release below!

Also be sure to add your own in the comments!

What Did You Think of Today’s Information Release from EA on NHL 18?

Mike Lowe

I’m excited to see both the EASHL sim-style play, and the franchise mode with expansion. EASHL really started to progress more towards a sim-style as the year went on, so continuing in this direction will be beneficial to the community. EASHL is fun, so long as your opponent is not gimmicky, and this should help with that. Why don’t we have an OS Official team?! Or do we?

As for expansion, I’m hoping we have some options to pick and choose from for the expansion team details (city, branding, etc.) we get to work with. I’d love to see something similar to NBA’s 2KShare or MLB The Show’s team customization for Diamond Dynasty. I hope this wasn’t the only improvement to franchise mode as the menus are still bulky and slow, and franchise would benefit from the game’s beautiful usage of synergy in HUT. Franchise mode as a whole isn’t terribly deep either, but I’m not holding my breath for further changes. I am, however, disappointed that GM Connected didn’t make it in because this game plays quite well online, and I’d love to setup a small league that doesn’t involve cards where every team is 92-plus overall. I’d love the challenge of choosing which 75-overall winger to play on your fourth line, and feel folks would too with leagues where commissioners could earn prizes (coins, cards, etc.) to give away to participants — if we must connect it all to microtransactions and the like.

“I am, however, disappointed that GM Connected didn’t make it in…” 

Joel Smith

Expansion. EXPANSION. We gonna talk about expansion?! OH SWEET DAY. After the whole suite of customization options NHL 17 gave us last year, team expansion in NHL 18 is a HUGE addition in my opinion. Las Vegas got an NHL team this year and are about to put together their team in the next upcoming days/weeks. Now you’re telling me I can potentially go ahead and bring hockey back to Quebec? I can revive the Nordiques?! As long as EA has left the customization suite as is or improved it, I will love running a franchise and using the expansion feature. I can tell you right now that’s the FIRST thing I’m doing out of the gate.

EASHL sim is also exciting. I love playing EASHL the most (when I find a good squad, or proper drop-in teammates) so knowing that I can enjoy my favorite mode and not deal too much with the nonsense that used to be endured is refreshing to see.

“…knowing that I can enjoy my favorite mode and not deal too much with the nonsense that used to be endured is refreshing to see”

Chris Sanner

This is the year I’m going to totally get into hockey, both the real and video game form. I’m officially a Las Vegas Golden Knights fan and I plan to take my Golden Nights to the Stanley Cup and beyond!

Hockey has always been the intriguing sport on the side that I’ve never been able to fully pick up. I’ve enjoyed the EA NHL series for what it is, but I offer far from a hardcore “this is not sim” take for the on-ice action.

For me the announcements today are welcome. First, being able to do my own expansion draft with the Golden Knights is a pretty cool feature, though I’ll likely just trust the front office over in Vegas on the roster building aspect of this initially. The new controls fit in with EA’s mantra of making their games more eSport friendly.

The threes mode is another eSport friendly addition (though IDK if they’ll admit to that). A 3-on-3 fast-paced hockey game makes a lot of sense if you want to get a team together, as it is way easier to find three guys to play another three guys at a single moment versus 6-on-6.

Overall, while the announcements today won’t make sim-heads happy, they do tip EA’s hand on where they think the future of this franchise lies. We’ll be following everything as we get closer to release.

“…it is way easier to find three guys to play another three guys at a single moment versus 6-on-6.”

Josh Houtz

As a fan of the NHL games growing up, the recent news is a welcomed addition. Being able to control the Las Vegas Golden Knights and start from the ground up is an awesome concept, as each team’s roster will vary. Whether or not you’re a fan of the new team like Chris, or just want a different approach to franchise, this is a great way to put your stamp on a NHL franchise.

The thing I enjoyed most about the recent games is EASHL, and today’s news is something many have wanted for several years. I can not wait to control Josh Houtz, and team up with fellow Operation Sports writers to take on the rest of the world. Being able to make the game more “sim” appears to be the direction many of these games are headed, and I’m a huge fan of that.

As long as EA kept the core of recent NHL games intact, NHL 18 will be a must buy for myself.

“…today’s news is something many have wanted for several years.”