Major Concern for 26

So, I remember the game AI being marketed as pretty heavily improved. I don’t think it’s changed.

I’ve now tried every difficulty with every strategy, and re-downloaded NHL 24 to compare the situational choices the AI were making. What do you know - the same kinks. Failure to recognize 2 on 0 as puck carrier, failure to recognize back door opportunities as finisher and playmaker, extreme inability to execute give and go plays when receiving the puck flat footed from a player with speed, and this weird bank pass they often do instead which looks like they’re straight up just passing the puck to the other team. All compensated for with increased physicality at low momentum and a ridiculous ability to pick up loose pucks. The skating animation to cut past someone does cause less clutter from the computer AI, but that’s a gameplay change (an absolutely beautiful one do not try to be quirky and remove that) and it’s not at all related to the AI IQ & decision making. 

NHL 26 has to have higher AI IQ or WOC matchmaking options. Both preferably.