The ability to create a persistent team with friends by designing your uniforms, developing a unique team identity, and then competing against other created teams online, offline and in Franchise Mode. * Control and physics improvements including: rewritten AI, enhanced defensive controls and stick lifts, stumble shots, a new defensive skating model and new incidental contact and small animation systems. * New graphics and in-game features including: rink intros for each arena, improved goal celebrations and true-to-life character models, with San Jose Sharks commentators Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda returning with new broadcast commentary. * NHL fan pleasing features like: a contract/free agency system, improved roster management, an updated financial model, dynamic player progression, and fantasy drafts. * Play a franchise season game with or against a friend on- or offline, or play a traditional game against the CPU.