FanHouse NHL 09

For those of you who might have been looking forward to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, don't worry yourself. As it turns out, the Boston Bruins are all set to claim their first title in 37 years, defeating the upstart Chicago Blackhawks in six games in the Stanley Cup Finals.

How do I know it's true? Well, because EA Sports told me so.

Allow me to do a little unpaid marketing shilling for EA Sports' new NHL 2009 game that will cause thousands of new addictions this fall.

This new video highlights the new features that will be in the newest sequel: Defensive Skill Stick, Flip Dumps, One-Handed Dekes, Protect the Puck, and Be a Pro Mode.

I, for one, will welcome the new attention to defense. I grew rather frustrated in past games when I had limited defensive options while opposing forwards just skating circles around me with their dekes and shimmies. The NHL franchise has had a (bad) habit of focusing exclusively on offense, unless you count big huge hits as defensive play.

Is the increased realism good or bad for the game? Do we really want to play a dump-and-chase style that involves endless cycling and ends up in 1-0 defensive battles? I like some increased defensive ability, but I'm not pining to play the role of Jacques Lemaire, here.

Not long after EA Sports released their teaser trailer for NHL 09, featuring Dion Phaneuf, the folks at 2K Sports put forth their new spot featuring cover boy Rick Nash.

High marks for humor as Rick Nash gets caught raising the Stanley Jug (which is as close as Columbus will ever get), but a little worrisome that nary a single second of game footage was shown.

Is there more to come? Are they a little afraid of being compared unfavorably to EA? We shall see.

Now that the season is over, and there is lots of free time in between the NHL Entry Draft, the free agent frenzy, and the awards show, it's time to get our hockey on with a good ol' game from EA's NHL franchise. I'll certainly enjoy setting up a Wings/Penguins final and having Sidney pot 34 goals in a 4-game sweep.

Ah, fantasies ...

Anyhoo ... With the advent of a new season comes a new release, and this year's version promises to offer even more realism, flash, and dash.

Even though the game isn't out for another three months, that won't stop people from drooling over the possibilities. To whet your appetite, here is the official trailer for NHL 09.