NHL 26 is coming in September, and the new hockey game has invested a lot into its Be a Pro mode. And, of course, Ultimate Team. However, some simple changes could significantly improve a popular mode in the NHL series: EASHL, specifically EASHL Clubs.
Between NHL 09 and NHL 18, the series was the game I played the most. Part of that was due to my friend group and me having a lot more free time to join and play clubs almost daily. There was more to the fun factor than just time, though. Games between NHL 09 and NHL 14 featured a level of customization for EASHL clubs that today’s games lack.
What Is EASHL?
EA Sports Hockey League is one of the most popular modes in the series. EASHL Clubs is the mode where you create a skater (or goalie, if you prefer) and join a club with your friends. You play as your skater for the entire game, locked to the position you select before the game. As your club racks up wins, you climb the ranks from Division 10 to Division 1. There was full stat tracking for both clubs and players. Additionally, you can name your club and fully customize the uniforms and arena you use.
Club games brought me some of the most fun I’ve had playing a sports game. I still remember in NHL 16 when we got matched up against a top-10 ranked team and took them to triple overtime. We lost, but it was an intense, fantastic game. I don’t remember the hands getting that sweaty in any other video game. Until the latter half of the 2010s, the EASHL provided us with regular fun moments.
What Went Wrong?
In my opinion, when any game with an online component starts to cater too much to the influencer and pro player crowd, the experience for the vast majority of players suffers. That’s what happened with EA Sports and the NHL games. In the latter part of the last decade, the decision was made to make EASHL E-Sports friendly. Gone were the RPG elements of building your player’s attributes and being rewarded for playing more. In its place were player archetypes. If you wanted to be a power forward, you’d have the same build as everyone else who selected a power forward. Yes, there were perks and special abilities you could add. They didn’t make that big of a difference.
I get the intent behind the move. If you level the playing field, it becomes about who is the best on the sticks. I can even see how that’s appealing to some. But I’d argue that even that isn’t totally true. The current model determines who’s best on the sticks with those specific archetype builds. The way it is now caters way too much to pro players and not nearly enough to the heartbeat of the game: the casual players.
Is There A Fix In NHL 26?
It’s more fun when you can tailor your character to the style you want to play. That’s true in any game with RPG elements. In games like Elden Ring, The Elder Scrolls, or even The Outer Worlds, you’re allowed to build your skill tree the way you want. You can invest points into the abilities you want, be great at the things you want to be great at, and not invest as much in the things that don’t reflect how you want to play.
NHL used to be like that. Leveling up and hitting milestones would give you points to spend on attributes. Some, like speed or shot power, cost more. The best thing about it is that you could play exactly how you wanted with a player who was great at all the things that leaned into how you want to play.
Indeed, most players focused on speed and shooting. But they were easy to beat. Investing in skills such as offensive and defensive awareness, along with balance and strength, made your player a force on the ice. Different types of players led to the feeling that every game was a little different. Did you have to defend against speed demons? Or one-timer artists? It changed the way you play. Now, everything feels too alike and the same.
Maybe it’s just me. Perhaps I’ve just moved on from the mode. Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show holds my attention much more than EASHL does now. But if I had my way, I’d rewind to NHL 2014. Allow players to build how they want, and reward players for playing more. It’s OK if everyone’s player isn’t exactly the same. It might even make the game more fun.
