I don't know exactly what you mean...I'm on the WNR NHL 09 EASHL team and I've just been playing random games with them online...I haven't had to plan things, be in scheduled league games, etc.
I'm the same way, I don't really have the dedicated time to play league games, but I've hopped online with those guys and just had fun.
Offline I enjoy the Be A Pro mode, I haven't touched the regular game.
I understand your legacy issues, I just don't think the lack of controller customization, classic control edits, shift+ modifier, are the end of the world. That's just me though, and I think we just vastly disagree in our opinions on things (like Battle.net, etc).