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Update 6:15, Gelinas to LA (e4), J. Hamilton, NHL 2K9 for Wii. |
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I am hearing Gelinas back to the team who drafted him, LA. Of course he was part of the big deal that sent a lot back to Edm for the Great One.
J. Hamilton may not be starting the season with the Chicago Wolves I am told. An NHL contract could be forthcoming.
From earlier:
So it wasn't until early this morning that I got to really play with the new NHL 2K9, and I have to say...some definite positives here...
First off, great that Rick Nash gets a cover gig! Great for him and great for the fans of Columbus who finally get some serious league-wide props. If you go to the 2ksports website you will see that Rick is an avid video hockey gamer as well.
So here's the thing with this. I am a long time video hockey geek, back in the Sega Genesis days, and I have always been a EA fan. EA's NHL09 comes out today for the x-box and I will review that as well.
What I think is kind of cool is that these two competing video hockey companies have sort of settled into their own niches. EA really has a corner on realism and true hockey feel and 2K has become more and more "arcade-ish." Both have their space and given that it makes complete sense that EA didn't attempt to put 09 onto the Wii, and 2k thrives on the Wii.
I am 40, and not a true "modern gamer" in that I still secretly long for the simplicty of control pad and and an A button to shoot, B button to pass. I do play EA NHL08 on line...(BUZZEKLUND) but I routinely get destroyed by kids in Alberta...
I will add more, but a few things I really like about 2k9:
*The Wii controls are confusing, but have potential. I like being able to actually wind up and shoot, but I wish I could stickhandle as well holding the controller like a hockey stick.
* The Goalie control is really outstanding...something as a goalie I do appreciate!
* It is fun being able to play some classic teams like the '74 Flyers against the modern Penguins.
* The game feels arcade like in a really good way, meaning it is fun and the learning curve isn't getting in the way of simply enjoying yourself.
* You need to forget all that you have ever known about controlling a video hockey game, but once you do you can see how a few years from now this kind of controlling will be all there is..
I will write more as I play more and give you an update on EA's game as well later today.
And now for the moment you've all been waiting for---- MATS SUNDIN!
News came out yesterday that more teams were getting into the mix and according to those I talk to this is simply due to the fact that Mats over half a season has opened it up to a few of the more cap strapped teams, like Anaheim, Philly, Minnesota and mostly COLORADO, who may have visions of a Forsberg/Sundin influx around Christmas time.
Although Mats is still largely under the belief that he is not going to decide until after camp starts I am hearing several murmurs that the Rangers are still trying to convince him otherwise and that the Rangers apparent cap issues are "completely manageable if need be."
More to come...
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