Improvements for EASHL

[Cody]

I have read through the live chat and have noticed some pretty significant changes to the EASHL that are quite interesting. I will post a summary of the improvements.


Free Agents

Everyone will begin as a free agent. Here you play drop in games to craft your players grades and skills. I assume this is the same or very similar to OTP, but with a simpler interface. You can also view clubs and request to join, and clubs can view you and invite you to join. This of course doesn't affect you guys, you are loyal jets! :D It will however help us find new talent, perhaps.


Customizable Jerseys

I don't know what will be out there for logos, but this might be something we want to look into as a "third jersey" option. Maybe there are some cool new logos that could suit the Jets that we can use once and a while to switch for our kick ass classic Winnipeg Jets unis.


Practice Mode

We can now practice full 6 vs 6 AI players or "free roam" without any opponents. Not sure how much we will utilize this feature, only because of our real life priorities. It would be nice to practice so that we are on the same page when we play the games. Maybe we can work something out where we have a quick practice before we play????? Something to discuss for sure.


Enhanced Dressing Rooms

We will be able to see who is all online via our main player hub. Not sure if that is the same as we've seen in the past or that there is a new player hub. Now in the dressing room we will be able to organize our lineup before going into a matchup.


Elimination of Simultaneous Club Games

I think this is a bold move on EA's part and I applaud them for doing it. No longer can clubs rack up the wins by using pairs of players who play well together and having multiple pairs playing at the same time. Now clubs can only have one game going at a time. This will promote more 6v6 action, which I think should respark my interest in EASHL.


New Division and Playoff Format

There will be three divisions. Amateur, Pro, and Elite. Every season (monthly again I believe) all clubs will begin in the Amateur Division. You can progress to the pro and elite divisions by winning club games. The top teams in each division will advance to the playoffs and participate in a single elimination playoff. I read that you will have to win four games to win the championship. In the playoffs the game atmosphere will be amped up, with rowdy crowds, ice logos, and increased pressure. Let's experience this for ourselves!!!


Other Notables

If your club is in a game without you, you are able to view the score and time left. Nice little feature, there.
No Captains or Assistants, but it does sound like they at least exercised the idea of implementing it but couldn't for this year. So perhaps for NHL12??

[dso67]

Those are some awesome changes and it finally looks like ea is getting things on track for a more fair, competitive eashl. This next week is going to be long lol!

[blkhwk21]

Only 2 more days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

[blkhwk21]

on reading Cody's post above, I believe practice will be a great addition. I agree that if Im on from 10:00 until 11:30 i want to use that time to play. but when you first get on (if we have a bigger group) and there is a game going on - how awesome is it that you can get some practice in while you wait. and if you are a natural winger you can also cross train and practice on your defense skills or centering. I like it! I also like the fact that you pick your positions prior to starting of the game search. Its going to be great i think. I love the feel of it. I cant wait to see what the first disallowed goal it. I vote it will be DSO deflecting one of my high and wide shots in above the crossbar!!:nuts:

[dso67]

Haha that's funny! I guess I do deflect a lot of shots from the point. I can't wait for the chance to actually practice goalie before going into a game.

[Cody]

I did a quick count (from the friend requests from blkhwk's referrals) and what I think we have from returning players and I see a roster of 10-12 right now. Not all of blkhwks referrals sent me a request so we could end up with more. I would like to know what everyone's preferred position is so that we know what we have going into the season. My only fear is being a little shy on blueliners.

[OpticalNerve]

I don't know if i'll be able to get the game right away :/ and if I can I won't be able to play it for a while anyway :/ pretty much can only play on weekends and not even late night (might have a stupid job now ugh) so yeah :/ damn.

[Cody]

Our young Ant is all grown up now.





Sucks that we won't have you as much as we'd like, but we understand what it's like to have responsibilities. When do you think you might be able to get the game?

[blkhwk21]

I hear you ant - I go through not only phases where Im getting home late and starting early at work, but also need to schedule it around family time. good thing is that its only just starting and we have a good 365 days of NHL11.

Im a RW and can play LW. I also play D when needed - but if needed off the bat I can form my player around that and jump back there. I know that Nordberg is a definite D man and the others I will let answer for themselves (a couple are really good goalies as well - if we have 6 on 6). If they dont all send a friend request use the screen names below for invites as they are all anxious - have mics and will be on Tuesday:

Nordberg420
Blazinjoe33
MEZMERIZE85
TheGame_112
Yellowcarded11
Haastrav
Rivard73G
SOLLY187
Gladiator1321
USM1425
Sanders96

[blkhwk21]

Cody, can you tell me who hasn't sent a friend request. USMC and Glad are a given as I have not seen them on in a few days.

[dso67]

My best position is centre I think, with goalie and defense rounding out my positions. I can play left wing but only if needed. I think we'll have ample opportunities for guys to play wing anyway.

[Cody]

Cody, can you tell me who hasn't sent a friend request. USMC and Glad are a given as I have not seen them on in a few days.

The names I don't recognize are


MEZMERIZE85
Rivard73G
SOLLY187
Gladiator1321
USM1425
Sanders96