EA Sports to include ECHL in NHL '17

**Dobber** · June 7, 2016, 6:50 PM

I found this interesting. And cool.
http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/ec...sports-nhl-17/

The involvement of ECHL players should make the game even deeper than before and offer more players than the game has ever seen. All 27 ECHL clubs will be added into the game, as will each team’s home, road and alternate jerseys.

**chuckcouples** · June 7, 2016, 6:59 PM

It sounds great in theory. The biggest issue I see with it is that players in those leagues are not automatically part of the PHPA. This means that until a player either joins the PHPA or signs a release form with EA, they will not be able to be included in the game. This is likely going to create a scenario where there are even more fake hockey players in the NHL series. The other issue is the lack of roster updates the NHL series has had. Adding another 550 players to the game is only going to make roster updates even more difficult to use. I am hopeful that the NHL developers can address this issue but I am doubtful that they will.

All in all, I will definitely be buying NHL '17 on release day for the 26th (I think) straight year.

**Goldendelicious** · June 7, 2016, 7:34 PM

I don't get the sense of adding the ECHL here. There's already way too many players in the game as is.

I really wish that EA would allow you to set your lines for online versus play...would be nice to not have to wait for guys to fiddle around before every game so they manage their 3rd line.

**The Comish** · June 7, 2016, 8:21 PM

Oh great, now I can trade for my dynasty league goaltenders!

**JagrBomb** · June 7, 2016, 9:03 PM

pointless. their prospect ratings suck as it is, for example guys like Laine, Puljujarvi etc are terrible in the game. often get ranked in the late rounds of the draft.

drafting is pretty garbage overall. scouting in the game sucks too.

EA puts all their money/development time into the Ultimate team mode, where there are in game transactions = more money to be made. from a business standpoint it obviously makes sense, you put more time into the areas that make you more money. but the flipside is that kills the game quality, as the rest of the game modes suffer.

**Zorro** · June 7, 2016, 10:01 PM

I used to love playing these games as a youngster.. Playing full seasons and a ton of tournaments with my buddies..

**2014olympicgold** · June 8, 2016, 3:07 PM

I find it a waste of time. No one really plays the AHL games, why add in ECHL? I think the world cup is bigger news, and maybe they’ll add in the freaking All-Star game again. I never played it, but I sure looked at the roster to see if my players were on the team.