NHL 25 How's your franchise going?

[DarthRambo]

I searched tlong enough and was surprised not to find this thread. Maybe not usually created for NHL games but anyways.

I am very addicted to NHL 25 this year and wanted to share how my franchise is going and hope to discuss other's experiences this year.

Randomly a wheel spin selected the Islanders for my franchise so I went with it. I play 4 out of every 7 games in the regular season. As good and fun as the game is I have breezed through season one. Well the regular season.

First, the trade deadline is really fun and well done by EA. Before that I traded for Frank Vatrano from the Ducks. I can't remember what I gave up, but draft picks and a a player in the system.

On deadline day I love that I could hit a button and if I had the resources to make a trade offer, those offers would be brought up for me to decide on. If we couldn't make any offer then it wouldn't pop up any offers.

Well, my main need for the team was offense. We need scoring badly. And looking at the roster I had all left shooters on the wings except a couple. So I browsed to find a right handed winger. Was able to trade Calgary for Andrei Kuzmenko. We trade the captain, Anders Lee. Saving us 7mil in cap space for the 25-26 season. Also traded draft picks.

Kuzmenko and Vatrano now on the team and my offense did improve. We went to an 90overall offense as well. But in the end we just stayed stagnant in the conference standings all year. Finished the regular season 47-28-7 for 103 points.

We now are set to play New Jersey in the first round of the playoffs. I absolutely love this game. It's so much fun more than anything. Wins and losses feel good. This series is going to be wild after knowing how close the two games that I played in the regular season.




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[kariasi]

Re: NHL 25 How's your franchise going?

I started my Franchise with Dallas Stars. Simulated all preseason games.

First game was against Nashville (away). Game was fantastic. Using TNK sliders and gsize19 latest rosters. [emoji1360]

I won the game 4-5 OT. Miro Heiskanen made five (5) points! I scored 4-4 with Heiskanen 46 seconds left.
Then overtime winner and hatty with Heiskanen.


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[gsize19]

Re: NHL 25 How's your franchise going?

I searched tlong enough and was surprised not to find this thread. Maybe not usually created for NHL games but anyways.

I am very addicted to NHL 25 this year and wanted to share how my franchise is going and hope to discuss other's experiences this year.

Randomly a wheel spin selected the Islanders for my franchise so I went with it. I play 4 out of every 7 games in the regular season. As good and fun as the game is I have breezed through season one. Well the regular season.

First, the trade deadline is really fun and well done by EA. Before that I traded for Frank Vatrano from the Ducks. I can't remember what I gave up, but draft picks and a a player in the system.

On deadline day I love that I could hit a button and if I had the resources to make a trade offer, those offers would be brought up for me to decide on. If we couldn't make any offer then it wouldn't pop up any offers.

Well, my main need for the team was offense. We need scoring badly. And looking at the roster I had all left shooters on the wings except a couple. So I browsed to find a right handed winger. Was able to trade Calgary for Andrei Kuzmenko. We trade the captain, Anders Lee. Saving us 7mil in cap space for the 25-26 season. Also traded draft picks.

Kuzmenko and Vatrano now on the team and my offense did improve. We went to an 90overall offense as well. But in the end we just stayed stagnant in the conference standings all year. Finished the regular season 47-28-7 for 103 points.

We now are set to play New Jersey in the first round of the playoffs. I absolutely love this game. It's so much fun more than anything. Wins and losses feel good. This series is going to be wild after knowing how close the two games that I played in the regular season.




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This is the first year in forever that the game has a fun factor to me. With some patient slider set up (that works for me, not everyone, which is why I don't post sliders), I am getting realistic results across the league. The exception to realistic statistics is hits (this is an ongoing issue).

I am seeing guys in the top 25 of scoring that should be there, and are in real life. The goalies who are doing well in the NHL this season are where they should be in NHL25 with the exception of Bobrovsky, who is having a bad year in Florida with a 5-12-2 record, 4.33 GAA and a .865 Save percentage. I would expect his number to get better through the season.

I am at the exact date in the season as the Blue Jackets, and while my record is a bit better (10-7-3) than the real NHL (9-9-2), the fact that it is so close is enjoyable for me so far with the results. Chinakhov, Werenski and Monahan are all tied in points with 23, and Kent Johnson has been getting hot, now sits at 19 in 15 games played and is on a 5 game goal streak since coming back from an in-season injury. While Jenner is healthy in my Franchise, Fantilli is out until January with a broken wrist.

Since Nashville did not waive Fabbro, I had to be creative and made a trade to pick him up, sending Harris and a 3rd round pick in 2026 to the Preds for Fabbro...

Some notables with my last roster update version, Landeskog got injured 2 games in for the AVs and is listed out until March (which I don't feel Landy will ever play again, some get ticked that I set his durability at 40, but it does ensure he lands on the IR long term eventually). I won't cut him or retire him because he is still under contract for the foreseeable future. My durabilities in the last update seem a bit harsh, but players that have been on the IR or usually land there historically are seeing time away from the ice due to injury. The only issue is, rarely does a computer controlled team call up a player from the AHL unless they have multiple injuries. This is something I wish EA could fix but it may be more subjective than anything, so maybe a logic fix may be difficult.

I have enjoyed seeing the different playstyles now that the NHL coaches are in the game. I am getting tougher games from teams I would expect to get tougher games from.

Finally, I am seeing 7-10 penalties per game between both teams. This has been the best year for getting a realistic amount of penalties, so much so, it may be a bit higher than an NHL game, but I am not going to tinker with the settings I have because I have the game playing very good, competitive and it has been enjoyable. It's even frustrating at times, but you have to remember, I am a CBJ fan, so frustration playing a game only makes it even more realistic with how they play in real life... LOL

[gsize19]

Re: NHL 25 How's your franchise going?

I played tomorrow nights Montreal/CBJ grudge match and it was an incredible game. I will preface, I play 7 minute periods on Pro (which pro plays more towards the actual attributes to each player as stated by EA several years ago), so you feel the difference between an 89 rated player and a 80 rated player, especially with players with low puck ratings.

This game was a great game. CBJ opened the scoring first on a PP goal by Kent Johnson (Chinakhov and Werenski assists). 1-0 after one. no scoring in the second, with both teams going 0 for 3 on the PP. In the third, it was quick, Laine scored a goal 22 seconds in from Caulfield. After 2 more PP's by CBJ and 1 by MTL, the score at the end of regulation was 1-1. Defense in this game was incredible. Merzlikins stopped 26 of 27 shots, while Montebault stopped 31 of 32 to this point.

Open faceoff of OT, won by CBJ, I took it down and scored quickly with Voronkov, however it was overturned due to goalie interference. So we skate on. With 2.3 second left Laine hit s one timer from Suzuki and Savard, giving me a 2-1 loss in OT.

Great game, maybe one of the best I have had this year despite the loss.

The game is playing really great for me with my slider set at Pro, I am sitting at 10-7-4 3rd in the Metro behind NYR and NYI. I am tied with the NJD in points but they have a loss more than I do, so by percentage points, I am in third.

I hope EA does not send out a tuner set. This game really is playing awesome for me right now, as good as it ever has in the series... I have not said this about an EA Sports game in a while, but This is the best I can remember with the adjustments and really concentrating on playing the style of play CBJ plays. It just feels very organic, and I am having a ton of fun...

[kariasi]

Re: NHL 25 How's your franchise going?

I played tomorrow nights Montreal/CBJ grudge match and it was an incredible game. I will preface, I play 7 minute periods on Pro (which pro plays more towards the actual attributes to each player as stated by EA several years ago), so you feel the difference between an 89 rated player and a 80 rated player, especially with players with low puck ratings.

This game was a great game. CBJ opened the scoring first on a PP goal by Kent Johnson (Chinakhov and Werenski assists). 1-0 after one. no scoring in the second, with both teams going 0 for 3 on the PP. In the third, it was quick, Laine scored a goal 22 seconds in from Caulfield. After 2 more PP's by CBJ and 1 by MTL, the score at the end of regulation was 1-1. Defense in this game was incredible. Merzlikins stopped 26 of 27 shots, while Montebault stopped 31 of 32 to this point.

Open faceoff of OT, won by CBJ, I took it down and scored quickly with Voronkov, however it was overturned due to goalie interference. So we skate on. With 2.3 second left Laine hit s one timer from Suzuki and Savard, giving me a 2-1 loss in OT.

Great game, maybe one of the best I have had this year despite the loss.

The game is playing really great for me with my slider set at Pro, I am sitting at 10-7-4 3rd in the Metro behind NYR and NYI. I am tied with the NJD in points but they have a loss more than I do, so by percentage points, I am in third.

I hope EA does not send out a tuner set. This game really is playing awesome for me right now, as good as it ever has in the series... I have not said this about an EA Sports game in a while, but This is the best I can remember with the adjustments and really concentrating on playing the style of play CBJ plays. It just feels very organic, and I am having a ton of fun...

Sounds good! Love your rosters and the game. 95 hours played. [emoji1360]
It is nice that you have found good sliders for you. If you ever think to post your sliders here I will try them for sure!


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[DarthRambo]

Re: NHL 25 How's your franchise going?

I played tomorrow nights Montreal/CBJ grudge match and it was an incredible game. I will preface, I play 7 minute periods on Pro (which pro plays more towards the actual attributes to each player as stated by EA several years ago), so you feel the difference between an 89 rated player and a 80 rated player, especially with players with low puck ratings.

This game was a great game. CBJ opened the scoring first on a PP goal by Kent Johnson (Chinakhov and Werenski assists). 1-0 after one. no scoring in the second, with both teams going 0 for 3 on the PP. In the third, it was quick, Laine scored a goal 22 seconds in from Caulfield. After 2 more PP's by CBJ and 1 by MTL, the score at the end of regulation was 1-1. Defense in this game was incredible. Merzlikins stopped 26 of 27 shots, while Montebault stopped 31 of 32 to this point.

Open faceoff of OT, won by CBJ, I took it down and scored quickly with Voronkov, however it was overturned due to goalie interference. So we skate on. With 2.3 second left Laine hit s one timer from Suzuki and Savard, giving me a 2-1 loss in OT.

Great game, maybe one of the best I have had this year despite the loss.

The game is playing really great for me with my slider set at Pro, I am sitting at 10-7-4 3rd in the Metro behind NYR and NYI. I am tied with the NJD in points but they have a loss more than I do, so by percentage points, I am in third.

I hope EA does not send out a tuner set. This game really is playing awesome for me right now, as good as it ever has in the series... I have not said this about an EA Sports game in a while, but This is the best I can remember with the adjustments and really concentrating on playing the style of play CBJ plays. It just feels very organic, and I am having a ton of fun...

Couldn't agree more! This game is such a blast to play. I will be playing this Islanders franchise for many years into the franchise, no doubt.

I'm not a hardcore hockey fan, but Barzal lead my team with 70 points. Leading goal scorer was Brock Nelson with 30 or 31 goals.

In the middle of game one of the playoffs @ New Jersey. Jack Hughes scores early. I tie it up with Anthony Duclair, and it's 1-1 with 13min left in period one.


Are you playing every game? With or without Gaudreau?

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[DarthRambo]

Re: NHL 25 How's your franchise going?

Game one had a little bit of everything. Horvat blindsided Hischier mid third period in a 3-2 game. Immediately Noesen drops his gloves and playoff hockey has begun here in New Jersey! Unfortunately I lose the fight but it was fun lol.

We lose 4-2 on a late empty netter. Jack Hughes scores two goals, including the game winner to break the 2-2 tie. Duclair and Vatrano scores for Islanders. Devils finished with 31 shots 0/1 PP with 18 hits.

I could only muster up 24 shots on goal. 0/3 on the powerplay and 22 hits. I really couldn't get any SOG on my powerplay. One was very short after a 4 on 4 play. Normally my powerplay is lethal so hopefully game two we come back strong on the powerplay.

Injury update on Devils Nico Hischier. Says still evaluating the injury, but he is OUT for game two.

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[DarthRambo]

Re: NHL 25 How's your franchise going?

Game two in New Jersey. Sorokin and Markstrom both came to play!

First period Ryan Pulock opens up the scoring and it was 1-0 Islanders after one. Late second period the Devils turn up the heat and get on the board. Huala scores his first of the playoffs. Tied 1-1 after two.

Third period it was tied 1-1 inside the final minute. Both goalies were exciting to watch. Sorokin stopped 35 of 36 shots. Markstrom stopped 31 of 33 shots. Devils were 0/5 on the powerplay, I was 0/2. 20-15 hits on favor of NYI.

As we are about to head to OT, I remember playoffs overtime is forever and with how the goalies are playing I'm thinking the game could last a while lol.

Off a faceoff I won it and Pulock winds up and gets one past Markstrom with only 4.3sec remaining! A crazy way to win the game. Series tied 1-1.

Hischier is out until May 22nd so unless the Devils make a deep run he is done for the year. Certainly for the rest of this series (Horvat grinning and the new GM (who me?) slides an envelope in his locker).

The rivalry continues as the series shifts to New York for games three and four.

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[gsize19]

Re: NHL 25 How's your franchise going?

I will PM you my sliders when I get some time later today. As mentioned, these work for me, they may not be good for everyone, which is why I am hesitant posting them. I have tried some of the popular sliders sets in years past, they have never worked for me and my playstyle. Slider settings to me are a crap shoot. Some swear by some of the popular ones, but again, it really is more about how you want to play the game. If you want a run and gun style game, my sliders will be awful. It rewards patient play, running an offense, playing a good defense. I have had great 2-1 games and I have had 9-8 games. But just like CBJ this year that has six 6-goal efforts already just six games in, the sliders I use will see those. It is sometimes frustrating, but I am reminded this is how it goes in the NHL. My save percentage is around an .880 combined with Merzlikins and Tarasov this year, and that is pretty close to what they are seeing in the NHL season.

[Fiddy]

Re: NHL 25 How's your franchise going?

I will PM you my sliders when I get some time later today. As mentioned, these work for me, they may not be good for everyone, which is why I am hesitant posting them. I have tried some of the popular sliders sets in years past, they have never worked for me and my playstyle. Slider settings to me are a crap shoot. Some swear by some of the popular ones, but again, it really is more about how you want to play the game. If you want a run and gun style game, my sliders will be awful. It rewards patient play, running an offense, playing a good defense. I have had great 2-1 games and I have had 9-8 games. But just like CBJ this year that has six 6-goal efforts already just six games in, the sliders I use will see those. It is sometimes frustrating, but I am reminded this is how it goes in the NHL. My save percentage is around an .880 combined with Merzlikins and Tarasov this year, and that is pretty close to what they are seeing in the NHL season.

Man, post them sliders in the forum. I love seeing more sets posted, always gives me ways to tweak the game etc for how someone else likes too play. Everyone plays a different style so nobody's set is more popular/perfect. I've never used anyones slider set to a T besides a few games then I have to tweak to my play style.

Post those bad boys if you don't mind...

Annnnnnd DarthRambo, love the low scoring playoff games you are having, good stuff!

[gsize19]

Re: NHL 25 How's your franchise going?

Man, post them sliders in the forum. I love seeing more sets posted, always gives me ways to tweak the game etc for how someone else likes too play. Everyone plays a different style so nobody's set is more popular/perfect. I've never used anyones slider set to a T besides a few games then I have to tweak to my play style.

Post those bad boys if you don't mind...

Annnnnnd DarthRambo, love the low scoring playoff games you are having, good stuff!

hahaha!!! I hear ya Fiddy!!! I did send them to you in a PM. As I said, these reward a slower pace, run an offense game, and can get fairly frustrating at times, but that is hockey. I am not a skill stick type player, I don't lacrosse move or any of the special dekes, just no nonsense, non-Brian Boitano style hockey. No frills, no triple sow cows, or quadruple jumps. LOL

I just try to play a fun, simulation style game and have had great results with what I am using... This is why I don't play online, because you have to train yourself to play with these sliders and playing online, I could not play this way and expect to compete. It's run and gun, and who can out cheese who... So once I finish my Franchise, this is usually when I start playing someone online from time to time so I don't play that style in my Franchise, otherwise every game I would score 10 or more.

i played a few games of the online Arcade last week, and this is when I had the 9-8 OT game in Franchise right after. I was so mad at myself for playing that way, but I dug a hole for myself, and then in real life CBJ had a 7-6 OT win that night, so I said to myself, "OK, It CAN happen once in a while"... LOL I expected to get a call from Dean Evason that night saying "WTF are you doing dude, play your game"...

[Fiddy]

Re: NHL 25 How's your franchise going?

hahaha!!! I hear ya Fiddy!!! I did send them to you in a PM. As I said, these reward a slower pace, run an offense game, and can get fairly frustrating at times, but that is hockey. I am not a skill stick type player, I don't lacrosse move or any of the special dekes, just no nonsense, non-Brian Boitano style hockey. No frills, no triple sow cows, or quadruple jumps. LOL

I just try to play a fun, simulation style game and have had great results with what I am using... This is why I don't play online, because you have to train yourself to play with these sliders and playing online, I could not play this way and expect to compete. It's run and gun, and who can out cheese who... So once I finish my Franchise, this is usually when I start playing someone online from time to time so I don't play that style in my Franchise, otherwise every game I would score 10 or more.

i played a few games of the online Arcade last week, and this is when I had the 9-8 OT game in Franchise right after. I was so mad at myself for playing that way, but I dug a hole for myself, and then in real life CBJ had a 7-6 OT win that night, so I said to myself, "OK, It CAN happen once in a while"... LOL I expected to get a call from Dean Evason that night saying "WTF are you doing dude, play your game"...

LOL I hear/feel all of that. I'll check out my DM's for those, thank you.

The ONLY thing I tend to try and keep the same as online is the skating feel, just so if I do go online in EASHL with my buddy skating is basically the same..

Sorry Darth, back to our regularly scheduled franchise thread.

[DarthRambo]

Re: NHL 25 How's your franchise going?

hahaha!!! I hear ya Fiddy!!! I did send them to you in a PM. As I said, these reward a slower pace, run an offense game, and can get fairly frustrating at times, but that is hockey. I am not a skill stick type player, I don't lacrosse move or any of the special dekes, just no nonsense, non-Brian Boitano style hockey. No frills, no triple sow cows, or quadruple jumps. LOL

I just try to play a fun, simulation style game and have had great results with what I am using... This is why I don't play online, because you have to train yourself to play with these sliders and playing online, I could not play this way and expect to compete. It's run and gun, and who can out cheese who... So once I finish my Franchise, this is usually when I start playing someone online from time to time so I don't play that style in my Franchise, otherwise every game I would score 10 or more.

i played a few games of the online Arcade last week, and this is when I had the 9-8 OT game in Franchise right after. I was so mad at myself for playing that way, but I dug a hole for myself, and then in real life CBJ had a 7-6 OT win that night, so I said to myself, "OK, It CAN happen once in a while"... LOL I expected to get a call from Dean Evason that night saying "WTF are you doing dude, play your game"...

You and I sound alike playing this game. I'm so much not a skill stick guy that I use hybrid controls. Love passing with X, slapshot is circle, wrist shot is square. Somewhat 2k dribble the puck side to side is about all I got lol. I cycle the puck, shoot one timers when I can, and keep it simple and enjoyable for me.

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[DarthRambo]

Re: NHL 25 How's your franchise going?

Game three in New York came with a lot of firsts.

Early first period Luke Hughes scores his first career playoff goal. Later on the first my powerplay finally gets going with a Bo Horvat powerplay goal. A couple minutes later Noah Dobson scores his first career playoff goal. It's 2-1 Islanders after one. I'm feeling good with 16 SOG to their 11.

One great thing about this game is the CPU makes adjustments. Second period they out shot me 15-5. However, no goals scored. Sorokin was once again playing at a MVP level. I can tell you from experience he wasn't this good on the regular season lol.

Third period Bo Horvat puts in a nice backhand over Markstrom for his second goal of the game. Good thing he did because two minutes later Bjugstad scores his second goal of the playoffs and we have a tight one to the finish with 12min remaining up 3-2. We hold them off thanks to Sorokin. It's more difficult than you'd think to get an empty net goal, but I got one with Kuzmenko and we take game three 4-2.

Devils with 35 shots on goal, 0/3 on the powerplay. Islanders with 34 shots, 1/5 on the powerplay. Hits were 22-14 Islanders.

Islanders lead series 2-1. Sorokin mania is here and of course the gullible New York sports fans are already talking about the 1970s dynasty again. The street fighter themed T-shirts saying "Sooorookin!" can be found everywhere on the streets of New York.

Game 4 next! [emoji897]

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[stlgamer09]

Re: NHL 25 How's your franchise going?

Man, post them sliders in the forum. I love seeing more sets posted, always gives me ways to tweak the game etc for how someone else likes too play. Everyone plays a different style so nobody's set is more popular/perfect. I've never used anyones slider set to a T besides a few games then I have to tweak to my play style.

Post those bad boys if you don't mind...

Annnnnnd DarthRambo, love the low scoring playoff games you are having, good stuff!

I agree with Fiddy! You never know your sliders might be a hit too.