Haven't been able to watch the videos yet (at work), but if this is a regular part of the game, that's a huge step in the right direction. The producer made a point of stating that AI players (hopefully user teammates as well) will react to passes in their area & attempt to reach out & deflect them.
I've said before that the lack of this was a problem, as unless the defender was directly in the way of an attempted pass, he made no effort to stop it in 08. Anyone who watches hockey knows that this just isn't the way it is in the NHL. Even at the lowest levels, players are taught/told to keep their stick on the ice whenever possible for just the reason (and for offense as well). Hopefully, this kind of stuff (the quote) happens regularly when appropriate...