People have posted slider settings that say helps with gameplay, but unfortunately no matter what you do, the fun factor has been wiped away. I have a friend that refused to buy 18 and plays franchise mode in 17 instead, but sets the difficulty as low as possible so that he scores a lot of goals and wins every game he plays. He just wants to play the game but not get ticked at the horrible scripting, which he still sees at times even on the easiest setting.
I don't know why Rammer hasn't been fired for destroying this series but there's only 1 possibility I can think of and that's the money being made from HUT. I realize NHL is at the bottom of EA's list when it comes to development team size, but I also remember a game that used to be fun, especially from 2008-2010 when David Littman was in charge. I know they have the talent to make a fun game again, but they have to get rid of Ramjagsingh or else nothing is going to change.