Hello from a Ducks fan (can't wait both Sharks and Ducks are competitive again so we could have great playoffs matchups)! Welcome on board!
I personally don't get all the negativity around NHL 24. If you don't know where to start, NHL 24 is a good starting point. Or just wait for NHL 25, it's not that far away. You said you don't care about realism, but if you do, check out
these sliders, they provide very good experience in my opinion.