- Primary Subject: EA Sports NHL 27
- Key Update: NHL 27 brings presentation upgrades and the return of Connected Franchise, but gameplay remains virtually unchanged.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: January 20, 2026
- Quick Answer: NHL 27 introduces updated presentation elements and Connected Franchise, but minimal gameplay changes leave it feeling like a basic incremental roster update.
September is here, and as usual, that means a new entry in the EA Sports NHL franchise has also arrived.
NHL 27 promised what all sports games promise nowadays: better presentation, gameplay improvements, features that make players play more like their real-life counterparts, and the return of beloved game modes.
Despite all of that, NHL 27 feels like little more than a roster update with some fresh paint here and there. Some additions land, others miss the mark, and a few are almost insignificant.
A Turbulent Landing for Presentation Improvements
The presentation department takes a step forward in NHL 27, but it's more of a baby step than a giant leap.
Arena landmarks, fan chants, goal songs, teams' pre-game traditions, and entrances. All of this was introduced to create a more authentic NFL experience.
It succeeds in making each arena stand out, mainly because of the unique arena landmarks. Fan chants and pre-game rituals make the crowd feel more excited and hype for the game, just like in real life.
However, the difference between a playoff atmosphere and a regular season game is almost nonexistent. This is a problem, as if all games have a similar atmosphere, you lose what makes playoffs, elimination, and championship games special.
An overtime winner can't feel the same in game seven of the Stanley Cup as in the first regular-season game.
NHL 27 also introduces a new broadcast package, and it's very hit or miss.
While the new commentary duo of John Buccigross and Darren Pang provides a great energy injection, there are plenty of missed calls or wrong assessments of the game state by the duo.
Hyping a play at the end of a blowout game, especially if it's from the team on the losing end, is not realistic or immersive. These small but noticeable mistakes become quite frustrating as games go by.
So while there are definitely improvements on the presentation side, not all additions landed on their feet.
With this being one of the big selling points of NHL 27, I was expecting a little bit more.
The Gameplay Experience Remains Virtually Unchanged
NHL 27 gameplay isn't that much different from previous entries, which can be either good or bad depending on who you ask.
The main difference to this year's title is the addition of authentic team Playbooks, created by using real NHL EDGE data to reflect teams' real-life tendencies.
In theory, teams now adjust to scenarios as they would in real life, and players react to different actions more authentically, creating a more immersive and realistic gameplay experience.
In reality, it's hard to know how much impact the feature really has on gameplay, at least offline, as online gameplay remains barely unchanged.
Yes, some teams showcase a playstyle similar to what they do on real ice, but AI players still act similarly in multiple situations, and there is still a lack of possession play in the offensive zone by the AI.
So while you can see some teams have a clear playstyle, such as Dump-and-Chase, most teams still rush for a shot and avoid playing possession like the plague.
I still think it's a good addition, but it needs significant tweaks to fully deliver what it promises.
Apart from that, gameplay feels very similar to NHL 26. There isn't any magical leap in gameplay, nor any catastrophic fall; it's just more of the same.
Solid Game Modes & Franchise Connected
Franchise mode and Be A Pro are the best parts of NHL 27, as both deliver an enjoyable experience. Both modes remain similar to last year, which I think is a good thing, as they are in a very good spot.
Sure, both could use a few improvements here and there, like more variety in interview questions on Be A Pro, or different ways to interact with teammates, family, and media.
Despite that, they are still the go-to modes for players, especially the ones who prioritize an offline experience.
HUT and World of Chel deliver the same experience as in previous years. The microtransaction aspects are still there; the gameplay loop remains unchanged, and unless you are hyper-competitive, you will most likely keep your distance from both modes.
But none of that really matters, as coming into NHL 27, all of the attention fell on one mode and one mode only: Connected Franchise.
So if you were incredibly excited about this mode, and hoping this marked the return of the golden age of offline modes for the franchise, well, don't be.
Connected Franchise is impressively bare-bones. To start, teams can only be user-controlled, so good luck creating and maintaining a 32-team league.
Not allowing the CPU to control non-player teams makes no sense, especially when this already happens in other EA Sports titles, such as Madden and College Football.
Players not developing or declining, and no draft or prospect pool, make long-term leagues pointless. You also don't have the option to create fantasy draft leagues.
If you still end up going ahead and creating a league with, let's say, 10 friends, the remaining teams will just sit there. They won't trade; their players won't develop or decline, and they won't sign any players.
This makes the Connected Franchise experience very bare-bones and incredibly frustrating. A 32-user-controlled league is not realistic, yet it's the only way to experience an authentic NHL season, as non-assigned teams ruin that otherwise.
Honestly, I would rather EA Sports had kept Connected Franchise in the draft book for one more year and delivered a finished product.
I understand the community has been begging for the return of Connected Franchise, but in its current state, the mode is worse than in NHL 14, and you are just opening yourself up to easy criticism.
It's a very hard decision to understand, as you are significantly underdelivering on one of the most requested features by fans.
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