First look at NHL 09
by 
Gamespot has posted up the first NHL 09 preview, trailer and screenshots which you can check out here. Among the features discussed are the arrival of Be A Pro mode, control enhancements, furthering of create-a-play, expansion of Online Team Play, and a “mystery” feature which is supposed to be “massive”.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Be a Pro mode in NHL 09 is the different types of roles you’ll be able to serve when creating your player. Not only will you be able to play as a goalie, but you’ll also be able to choose different types of roles as a regular skater, from a grinding, checking defenseman to a speedy, shot-taking sniper. As a result, when you’re on the ice with your team, your coach will have different expectations of you depending on your role. It’s these individual expectations that will form the basis for how your performance is judged in the game and how your player progresses as a result.
Seeing that EA Canada has introduced Online Team Play and Be A Pro in their FIFA and NHL titles I highly suspect we’ll be seeing a superstar type mode in NBA Live 09 as well.
Just added in the trailer which you can watch by continuing on.
June 6, 2008 at 11:00 am
I didn’t even know anybody watched Hockey anymore……….
June 6, 2008 at 11:11 am
[quote comment="24077"]I didn’t even know anybody watched Hockey anymore……….[/quote]
Wow, that is hillarious.
Like hockey or not, NHL 08 was probably the best sports game released last year outside of MLB 08 The Show.
NHL 09 looks outstanding. Can’t wait for it.
GO WINGS!!!!!! 2008 CUP CHAMPS.
June 6, 2008 at 11:37 am
[quote comment="24078"][quote comment="24077"]I didn’t even know anybody watched Hockey anymore……….[/quote]
Wow, that is hillarious.
Like hockey or not, NHL 08 was probably the best sports game released last year outside of MLB 08 The Show.
NHL 09 looks outstanding. Can’t wait for it.
GO WINGS!!!!!! 2008 CUP CHAMPS.[/quote]
After playing NHL 08 for the 360, I became more of a hockey fan…. the game was awesome! Actually better than MLB 08! NHL 08 is an addictive game, and I hardly played anything else…
The Stanley Cup Finals were very exciting to watch… hope a normal station picks up regular season hockey next season!
June 6, 2008 at 11:38 am
I am actually more excited for NHL 09 than any NBA game or NCAA football….
June 6, 2008 at 11:44 am
I am wondering what the “massive” thing that is being added to NHL 09 ? Be A Pro mode is like a Superstar mode, and I know everyone wanted that. Maybe it’s roster updates every week, like MLB 08 The Show. Cannot wait until this version of the game comes out !
June 6, 2008 at 11:44 am
if NBA Live brings a superstar mode to its game it might get the edge over 2k for me for the first time since Live 2004
June 6, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I am hoping EA brings in classic teams and jerseys. Who wouldn’t want to use the Oilers from the 80s?
I agree the the Cup finals was awesome. As a huge Wings fan I was shocked at how much Detroit dominated the series (especially game 5 even though they lost in 3 OT).
Pittsburgh has some weapons (Fleury kept them in the series) and will be back….
ESPN needs to get hockey back on its slate….
June 6, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Can’t wait! One-timers were a huge issue I’m glad to see it is being taken care of. GO FLYERS!!!!!!!
June 6, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Oh, I forgot to mention — BRING BACK THE WHALE. I hope EA chunks up some money to gain permission to use the Whalers classic jerseys (especially the greens) in the game….
June 6, 2008 at 12:29 pm
[quote comment="24084"]I am wondering what the “massive” thing that is being added to NHL 09 ? Be A Pro mode is like a Superstar mode, and I know everyone wanted that. Maybe it’s roster updates every week, like MLB 08 The Show. Cannot wait until this version of the game comes out ![/quote]
Doubt it because there really aren’t that many roster moves in hockey on a yearly basis, let alone weekly.
I would put the smart money on classic teams- we’ve all been hoping for that forever. I know NHL 2K did it, but it would be cool in the NHL series.
It might also be something to do with a highlight upload features/take screenshots and share them ala Halo 3.
June 6, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Classic Teams would be cool. Couldn’t you see the 1992 Pens with Mario and Jagr, playing against the 2008 Pens with Crosby and Malkin ? That would be too sweet. Maybe the intro will have the arena pictures with a fly-by while the announcers introduce the teams.
June 6, 2008 at 1:20 pm
The hockey card idea sounds cool.
I think the massive announcement will be online franchises or teams of mascot players. LOL! I’m ready to steamroll Carlton the Bear.
June 6, 2008 at 1:26 pm
go predators!
June 6, 2008 at 1:37 pm
last night i asked for nhl 9 info and here it is,..sweet cant wait
June 6, 2008 at 1:50 pm
EA is doing a much better job of promoting its games this year. Of course NCAA, Madden and NHL need little promo….Let’s see what happens with NBA Live…
Oh, my top five classic teams:
1) 84 Oilers
2) 97 Wings
3) 92 Pens
4) 80 Islanders
5) 86 Habs
Not really classic but ah well….
Also, I think it would be cool to be able to play a virtual version of the old table top hockey with the rods….THe controls would probably suck but it would be a cool addition…..
June 6, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Will the game include double-minors if blood is drawn (i.e. high stick to the face)?
June 6, 2008 at 1:52 pm
i have never watched a single game of hockey before but when i was a younger i used to play hockey games…i will probably rent this on
June 6, 2008 at 1:54 pm
hockey people actually watch Hockey LOL
June 6, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I wonder who the cover athlete is…
hint: half the vid has him in it, including the intro
June 6, 2008 at 2:28 pm
im not a big hockey fan but that is what competition does nhl 2k8 they stride to make the best game btw go flyers 2009 nhl champions
June 6, 2008 at 2:35 pm
NHL 08 was by far the best sports game last year that no one played. My friend and I still play every weekend while pre-gaming beers before we head out.
Any ideas on cover athelete? My guess.
1/Ovechkin
2/Malkin
3/Crosby
4/Mike Richards
I think they’ll go young, any thoughts?
June 6, 2008 at 2:38 pm
edit just watched the video Dion Phaneuf? thats a reach, casual hockey fans will be confused. Haha
June 6, 2008 at 2:59 pm
from watching that trailer, i think they will do the ncaa football cover thing, like phaneuf for 360, kopitar for ps3, etc.
June 6, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Thanks Pasta and the “Massive” feature I hope its better online leagues the one they had last year blew. Just make that better and a few minor adjustments and you got yet another great game.
June 6, 2008 at 3:30 pm
And just to let everyone know Dion Phaneuf is the the cover boy for NHL 09.
June 6, 2008 at 3:47 pm
[quote comment="24113"]Thanks Pasta and the “Massive” feature I hope its better online leagues the one they had last year blew. Just make that better and a few minor adjustments and you got yet another great game.[/quote]
Well online leagues are mentioned in the article, so my guesses would go to a spectator mode or an online franchise.
June 6, 2008 at 4:06 pm
pastapadre, is it just me or was that a terrible trailer? They showed a lot of hitting in it, but its pretty much the same hitting we’ve had since the PS2 days. Euro 08 and Madden 09 have much better collision detection than NHL 09. Kinda disappointing, although I’m sure they have other features in store. This was the year that I thought they’d go to dynamic animations for checking.
June 6, 2008 at 4:17 pm
“mystery feature” + “massive” = giant head mode?
June 6, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Cover athlete potential:
1) Fleury (He is awesome and I am a Wings fan)
2) Lidstrom
3) Crosby
June 6, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Good point, it probably is Phaneuf, although he didn’t have all that great of a year. My prediction:
a] Phaneuf
b] Crosby
c] Luongo
And all 3 are sponsered by RBK.
June 6, 2008 at 5:11 pm
[quote comment="24109"]NHL 08 was by far the best sports game last year that no one played. My friend and I still play every weekend while pre-gaming beers before we head out.
Any ideas on cover athelete? My guess.
1/[b]Ovechkin[b/]
2/Malkin
3/Crosby
4/Mike Richards
I think they’ll go young, any thoughts?[/quote]
Ovechkin got in 07′, scratch him off and put Phaneuf there.
June 6, 2008 at 5:23 pm
It says they have one big mystery feature also… What do you guys think it will be?
June 6, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Wait…. possibility of Superstar mode in NBA Live 09
lol I just wet myself
June 6, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I’ve never seen 2 people from the same team, in any sport, get a cover in a short span. Iginla was on it a few years ago so that might hurt his chances. Maybe Zetterberg or Malkin. I don’t know why no one has got Crosby yet so I guess it could be him too.
June 6, 2008 at 6:41 pm
actually hockey appears to be on an upswing, and i cant wait for this game to come out..what an exciting playoffs this year..Hockey’s future is in good hands, but man i wish they were still on espn, versus does a good job with the hockey programming but who can find it???
War Sid the kid, War Kings getting better next year
June 6, 2008 at 9:01 pm
[quote comment="24128"]actually hockey appears to be on an upswing, and i cant wait for this game to come out..what an exciting playoffs this year..Hockey’s future is in good hands, but man i wish they were still on espn, versus does a good job with the hockey programming but who can find it???
War Sid the kid, War Kings getting better next year[/quote]
Good luck with the Kings buddy haha…. it’s all about the PENS!
What’s up with Phadouche..err I mean Phaneuf as cover boy…. are you kidding me…. malkin, crosby, lemiuex haha,, anyone….
June 6, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Did anyone else notice that they still haven’t improved the player faces….It’s funny how some players are dead on and others are way off…..
June 6, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Actually it’s not funny it’s really annoying!!!!
June 7, 2008 at 12:18 am
i wish EA would scrap this whole superstar, campus legend, or be a pro crap, and focus on gameplay and franchise/dynasty.
imagine what franchise could be if it used the memory taken up by the rpg modes.
this is sports. not an rpg.
June 7, 2008 at 6:43 am
[quote comment="24134"]i wish EA would scrap this whole superstar, campus legend, or be a pro crap, and focus on gameplay and franchise/dynasty.
imagine what franchise could be if it used the memory taken up by the rpg modes.
this is sports. not an rpg.[/quote]
totally agree with that…. I’m not a big fan of all the fantasy stuff either…I just like to play the game, that’s my “superstar, campus legend, and be a pro”
June 7, 2008 at 7:50 am
The new feature probably has something to do with hitting, being displayed in the video so often. Maybe a hit-stick or something like that.
June 7, 2008 at 8:56 am
Best Hockey game of ALL TIME was NHL ‘94 on Super Nintendo. Period. I must have put over 1,000 hours of time into that game when I was a kid. But since then, Hockey has died to me. Although this game looks pretty fun.
(Did I just say a Hockey game looked fun? Wow, I must be coming down with something fierce!)
June 7, 2008 at 12:57 pm
nice layout Pasta!
June 7, 2008 at 1:08 pm
^NHL 94 was the best, good call.
June 7, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I thought i was a hockey fan..but ive never heard of phaneuf..???? Who the hell is that??
June 7, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I think we’ll see broken sticks in NHL 09. For online play, I really hope online team play will have ranked matches w/ leagues, and clans.
As far the “massive” announcement goes I’ll take a stab in the dark and say it will be 1st person hockey. Similar to the camera angle you see when you’re playing goalie mode and you pull urself for an xtra attacker. I think they will fully integrate that into NHL 09 will OTP.
June 7, 2008 at 7:03 pm
From NHL 07 to 08 was an outstanding jump in gameplay and graphics i hope they can do it again. NHL 08 had to be one of the best sports game of the year.
June 8, 2008 at 2:37 pm
I thought i was a hockey fan..but ive never heard of phaneuf..???? Who the hell is that??
—————–
I hope you’re kidding, star defenceman that plays on the Calgary Flames. Paired with Aucoin, ring a bell ???
June 8, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Go Pens we will be back next year!!
On the cover Phaneuf was a good choice but not the best, I am assuming they had this in the works before the cup was played out and they usually dont pick a player in the cup, 07 was Ovechkin this years was Stall, but as a homer I would have liked to see a Pen on the front of the game
. I cant wait for the game to come out either way, hockey is a much more edge of your seat and better to watch game than any other sport and that goes for the video game as well, 09 should be off the wall! Keep Hockey alive the best sport!!!
October 15, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Playstation 3 NHL 2009 Montreal classic team ok where the rest of other old teams. some need make a add on download for classic teams be great in
Nhl-09 the game got boring no more old teams like 92 pens or 72 bruins what with game makers be hind time thank for your time. EA sports.