NHL 23 Franchise Mode changes saw the addition of Custom Leagues. Players can now be the commissioner of their own leagues in NHL 23.
The Franchise Mode introduced Expansion Team in NHL 22, where a player could opt to play in a standard 32-team league or opt for a 33-team league as an expansion team.
That itself was an exciting addition to the game and the 2023 addition was quite spectacular as well. In addition to the control of the franchise, players now had control of the league as well.
Players could choose the number of teams that would participate in the league anywhere from 6-48, 2-8 divisions, and also the number of conferences.
With dynamic schedules, you can have full control of the league from the beginning to the end. You will also be able to create your own custom roster.
Another added feature is that players can now alter the salary cap. It means that the minimum and maximum salary cap could be changed.
Furthermore, you can also change the playoff format with playoff customization. You can choose any number of teams (up to 32) that can qualify for the playoffs.
As the NHL season has come to an end with Vegas Golden Knights lifting the title, fans are eager for the release of the NHL 24 video game.
NHL 23 Franchise Mode Tips
NHL 23 Franchise Mode allows players to run a team and have full control. You will be able to sign contracts, trade players, scouts, and more.
The exciting game mode will have players feeling like real GMs while they sit on their comfortable gaming chairs and take full control of their respective teams.
Winning the Stanley Cup is the ultimate goal and doing so with being in full control is the most exciting part of the game. It is not easy to win it though as there are several aspects to be considered.
With the aim of finding success, it might be more difficult for newcomers as the game demands strategic planning and serious challenges.
NHL 23 Franchise Mode tips will increase your chance of success in the mode. The following tips can be helpful to build a successful franchise:
Line Chemistry
In every sports game, chemistry is a very crucial aspect to be focused on. If the team does not have high chemistry, the chances of winning are narrowed down.
It is important to remember that the team will do good only if the team's line chemistry is a plus and the higher it is, the better. A better statistic will be produced if the players are on the lines with others they gel with.
Good Hiring
Any team requires a good coach to produce results. A team with extraordinary players but lacking a good coach is not a good match and will minimize the chance of success.
Franchise mode requires a team to have an A-level coach along with having chemistry with the players on the team. It is also important as players tend to simulate games and seasons.
Scouts and Drafts
One of the most important aspects is not just limited to video games but also in the real world of sports. Drafts are crucial especially when you will be rebuilding your team.
Having a good scout is also very important as they will provide you with the best talents and also a large pool to choose from. Late steals are also discovered through scouts.
Signings as Free Agents
The signing of free agents is very crucial to build a successful franchise. The signings should be smart and new talents that are brought in should be based on the team's needs.
Contract Extensions
While extending contracts of the players that have their contracts expiring soon, one should keep in mind that the player will sign an extension for 85% of his asking price.
Trade Deadline
A late-season addition of a player is always a bonus for a team. The Trade Deadline will give players more anchorage with the trades and will have a plentitude of players to choose from.
Goalie
A high-level goalie is needed for better team performance. Goaltending is as important as scoring in a game.
Prospects
Developing a prospect like Connor Beard is crucial in this mode. The future of the team largely depends on the prospects that are in your team.
They need to be molded patiently and can not be rushed. The prospects need to have the right amount of time in their roles with line chemistry and extra playing time on special teams unit is crucial for their development.
Veterans
As the players get older, they will drop off no matter how well they play. Always look out for the veteran's potential and with each passing season, their trade value also drops.
Trading players
It can be heartbreaking when players will not want to re-sign with your team. If they are talented and highly rated, it becomes more difficult.
The only option you're left with is to trade them and that too should be done before the start of a season.
How To Force Trades in NHL 23 Franchise Mode?
It is not possible to force trades in NHL 23 Franchise Mode. The ice hockey simulation game by EA hasn't introduced the Force Trade option.
Trading players is an important part of the game. Every gamer wants to grab players who will make their team better and get rid of those who serve as a liability to the team.
However, the Force Trade option can be done in the Madden 23 Franchise Mode. There are two ways to go about it.
- Stack and Release Method (SAR)
- Punter Trading
The SAR method is used to make impossible trades happen in the game. It only works during the regular season and no injured player can be traded through this method.
The punter trading method will only work if you are the league commissioner. You can simply change the player's position to Punter and that results in the drop of his overall and grab the player later on.
Although this appears to work perfectly fine in the NFL Madden series, there is no guarantee that it will work for the NHL series as well.
NHL 2024 Game Release Date
The predicted release date for the NHL game is October 13, 2023. It will release only if EA does not end its journey with the NHL Series.
The previous editions have been released on the second Friday of October. Accordingly, the 13th falls on the second Friday of the month.
NHL 23 which was released on October 14, 2022, had a mixture of reviews. Some found the game to be worth it and some have rated the game as one of the worst.
According to Metacritic, the game had a Metascore of 71 based on 11 critic reviews. However, the user score that the game acquire was only 2.0 out of 10 based on 26 ratings.
The NHL Series is not as popular as the other EA series such as FIFA and Madden. The NHL video games do not have such a huge fanbase.
If the next edition of the series is released, the players to have early access to the game will most likely be able to play the game three days before the actual release date. If the game releases on the 13th of October, early access will allow players to get the game on the 10th.
If the latest edition is to be released, then it will also have two editions just like other sports game series. A Standard edition, and a pricier edition which is the X-Factor Edition in this case.
The X-Factor Edition will grant the players early access, dual entitlements, and NHL points. The base game is going to be the same and might have a few additional features in the upcoming game.
EA has not made any official statements regarding the game and till then, everything is only limited to speculations. We can only guesswork the major updates or changes the game might have.
