In NHL 20, I played to my sixth or seventh season over hundreds of hours. While new modes and features are always fun, gameplay updates are the core of a good NHL game. On the gameplay side, NHL 21 came with new dekes, both functional and fancy, and improved AI for defense, offence, and goalies. Franchise Mode was given a tweak to the trade deadline experience, and World of Chel got ranked seasons for players to dig into. The big sells this year in terms of modes were the introduction of HUT Rush, and a revamped Be a Pro. Like most years, EA Vancouver focused on a few specific modes and mechanics for NHL 21. EA Vancouver might be focusing on the flashy side of things lately, but they still pay attention to the ways of old. For someone who will turn 40 before the end of the next season, it’s a balance between a love for the gameplay – which is better in NHL 21 than ever before – and a hatred for gimmicks aimed at a younger audience. Your mouthguard doesn’t go in your mouth to protect your teeth, it’s a chew toy. You don’t play NHL anymore, you play Chel. The same is true with the NHL franchise of video game hockey. But, if we’ve learned anything from recent Stanley Cup champions, it’s that there’s a place for old-school hockey and a veteran presence. Sturdy veterans are bought out of contracts and replaced by kids on entry-level deals who can do things with the puck that will blow your mind. At 30 years old, GMs are wondering how much a player has left before their big decline. Today’s NHL is all about speed, skill, and youth.

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