EHM The Blue Line

So what do you think? What were your first impressions? What is the coolest feature you've seen so far? Was there anything that you were disappointed with?

My first impression was that the layout was a heck of a lot neater than EHM 2005 (although it took a little time to get used to). The speed at which a new game is started is incredible (during testing it was really slow but the SI guys managed to greatly improve it).

The thing I was most disappointed with was the lack of NHL player pics (although TBL is working to fix that) and that the small team logos (the ones displayed in the league scores and schedule screens) are really small and it is difficult to tell which logo is which (hence why myself and Minstrel are redesigning them - see our frosted logos).

My very first impression was that the E-License process was extremely smooth! For any of you folks that are afraid of the digital download... don't worry! It took two second before I was licensed and playing.

I love the polished look of the game. Just the main menu looks sharp! Of course, it will take me some time to get used to the interface because things aren't where they used to be. That's expected. I'm sure once I get used to it, the interface will end up being so much better than the past versions. It just seems like a bigger difference beteen this version and the last than there was before that.

My major disappointment so far seems to be with the rosters and ratings. Sorry if anyone here did the research for the Bruins but I just don't like what was done. Some players that were signed with the Bruins and are still at camp have been returned to their junior teams. The guys they did this with are much more likely to spend the season with the AHL affiliate (Matt Lashoff, Karsums, Krejci, etc). Phil Kessel is a unsigned free agent (we still have his rights but he's not signed). Some player positions are very off. Brad Boyes is set to only being able to play center. Last season the Bruins most successful line was Sturm on LW, Bergeron at C, and Boyes at RW. He played the position quite well! Yet in the game he plays center as a "natural" and both wings "unconvincing". That's not right. I'm sure there are others that could be adjusted. Chara doesn't speak English according to the game, not even basic. He's done several interviews since he's been in Boston and he seemed pretty fluent to me (okay, I've only read the interviews but there was no mention of an interpreter). I'm also disappointed with how they've rated the Boston staff. They've made all the coaches terrible! From the impression I've gotten so far, that's not the case.

Let's just say... I'm looking forward to the editor coming out. Of course I always enjoy the Unfaking updates but I'd also like to see some tweaking done.

One of my first impresions was: How the hell am I supposed to read those tips with them flying by so fast?


Then I remembered I don't need tips.

My next thought was: Holy **** I'm useless without a bottom back button.

I fully agree with Bruins72's comments about the B's!!!
The roster is a bit out of date.....no special K's, Zhamnov still around (LOL) and bad coaching ratins for nearly all B's coaches!!!

My first impression though is a good one!!! I really like the new interface (it reminds me a lot of FM07....yes, Iam a beta tester of it...) and when u get used to it, then its really cool...u have all what u need at a mouseclick!!!

Then also a bit dissapointing is the lack of photos, but I dont worry about it!!!

Ok...going back "to work"

I saw the you can assing things to the "F" keys (F1, F2, etc). Anyone tried that yet? What kind of stuff can you assign to these?

Gah. Found my first bug.


When doing the Fantasy Draft, if you decide to filter the players shown in the list, it will show you players already drafted. Then allow you to pick them, loseing your turn.

For instance, I wanted to only see Russian Center's to play on a line with Ovechking. I goto the filter options and set 'Russian' and 'Forward'.

It shows me Malkin is still available.

I click draft, select his name and I'm told I have seleted him.

Next round rolls by, and I realize from the 'my team' screen that Malkin is not listed. I look back through the history, and Malkin was slected 3rd overall, wayyy before I hadpicked him.

So in essance, I lost my 2nd round pick because the game let me draft someone who was already picked!

For those who play the game right now, how are Montreal Canadiens? Does Samsonov and Johnson are with the team? And about Tie Domi, he's retired or Free Agent? And something I saw many times in the SI forum : what teams are affiliate with Edmonton Oilers?

Blugam wrote:And something I saw many times in the SI forum : what teams are affiliate with Edmonton Oilers?

Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL): Max 4 skaters
Milwaukee Admirals (AHL): Max 1 goalie, 4 skaters
Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins(AHL) - Max 6 skaters
Stockton Thunder (ECHL) 1 goalie, 6 skaters

Very very first impressions:

I'm blown away. Simple as that. The game is amazing so-far.

I love the customizable GM home, too - that's a great idea.

Yet again it's a gigantic change that I marvel at what can be accomplished by basically two guys and an assistant (giant props to Ed L who just rocks!!) I know I felt seriously lost when I got my first build in testing but when you start using it for a while you'd never want to switch back to the way it used to be I think. SI, way to go!!!

Oh, and Tom btw I had them put the 'Back' option on the Training Camp screen sidemenu because during testing I kept sitting there staring at the screen thinking... okay I'm trapped at this screen now! Where is my 'Back' button?!?! But you'll soon get used to using the arrows up top and the 'quick button' icons to go to your main screens

Since it was mentioned in the announcement thread I'll point out a little personal triumph for this year's testing: You'll notice that my 'coloring scale' of the attributes from red to green has been officially adopted as has the green for made penalty shots red for missed penalty shots boxscore coloring in place of wild bright blue for made and neon green for missed. Anyone who has used by 2005 skins will already be used to that system, it's just official now

I hate the new practice screen.

Before I could just go down the line clicking dots, now I have to deal with drop down menus.

I have to admit, though - I'm not too fond of the rinks used in the matches, and am especially dissapointed that we can't change them. I was really looking forward to remaking my high-detail rinks and seeing them all the time now that we can watch all of our games without coaching.

It looks real sweet even though the confirm button is badly placed.

I have a question, how the hell do I fix the "reserv-list" in the beginning? I tried to right click on the players, left click everywhere. But nothing happens. I even went on holiday so that Glen Hanlon could do it for me, me he did not... I am stuck


EDIT: On a scale 1-10 how stupid am I? I fixed it...

B. Stinson wrote:I have to admit, though - I'm not too fond of the rinks used in the matches.

I've split our responses off the thread into a new thread in the Graphics Forum since I don't want to draw the thread off course into that detailed an explanation of the rink graphics here (my bad ), but I added a lot of info to the thread there so check it out

http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums/vi ... php?t=1492

I do need the tips so I hope I can slow them down! Very slick looking package though. I spent 1.5 hrs doing nothing but looking around(oh and I offered Malkin a contract while I was at it!) It's going to take some time getting familiar with it though. So far two thumbs up!

Has anyone noticed all the young players set as UFAs that shouldn't be? I've signed Emmerton, Shutron, Sanguinetti, Foligno, and Little. There are probably a couple other I'm not remembering too. That's just not right.

bruins72 wrote:Has anyone noticed all the young players set as UFAs that shouldn't be? I've signed Emmerton, Shutron, Sanguinetti, Foligno, and Little. There are probably a couple other I'm not remembering too. That's just not right.

Yeps, this was also posted in the SIGA forums....it seems that there are some young UFA's who arent right.....dont forget Kessel playing in Saginaw instead of being with the B's

Games extremely nice so far, just downloaded it around an hour ago, haven't found any glitches, I love the new rink action actually seeing the dekes.. (sort've lol) and seeing the nice plays that the players can dish out.

Blugam wrote:For those who play the game right now, how are Montreal Canadiens? Does Samsonov and Johnson are with the team? And about Tie Domi, he's retired or Free Agent? And something I saw many times in the SI forum : what teams are affiliate with Edmonton Oilers?

Samsonov and Johnson are on the team. Kyle Chipchura is MIA

I love the new trade system.

I hate the size of the demo... but I hate more my modem connection

I download since 90 minutes... I have only 17% downloaded... and I need 6 more hours to finish the download... I dream of the day when high speed connection will finally come to my house.

keithv wrote:Kyle Chipchura is MIA

I believe Chipchura is faked as one of those 'between the cracks' guys... like Blunden with the Hawks is I think. Also players may be on your 'unsigned prospects' listing even if they are signed to RL contracts yet haven't played a game in an NHL regular season yet. Unfortunately that's all liscensing matters that SI is legally bound to do what they say and if people aren't on the covered lists there's nothing they can do.

It was however one of the big benefits of the download distribution as they didn't have to lock to the code to get a copy sent for duplication etc which would have made the rosters about a month less current. Everything is pretty much up to date as of Wednesday actually, it's just some players are faked or moved to being unsigned (but their NHL team retains their rights... like Malkin for example) due to the liscensing stuff. A lot better than the console game versions that's for sure.

Other than the roster and playing rating annoyances... I'm really enjoying the game. I love the way trading works now! It's just so much more intuitive. I've been able to pull off a couple trades already and feel good about them. I'm also not wasting time barking up the wrong tree. I like when the other team tells that it's going to take one hell of a deal to pry a player away.

I'm having some trouble with tactics but part of that is because I haven't RTFM and part because they're new to me. I'm sure I'll figure them out eventually.

I agree with b72 that the tactics are incredibly confusing.

I kind of switch between the defaults and make minor changes because I have no idea what most of the stuff does.