I've actually taken some time to play some of the game modes and I feel I've played enough to finally comment on it.

Battle For The Cup
At first I was very skeptical of this mode. I thought that this mode was on its own and when you went into the playoffs in a season/dynasty mode, it wouldn't be the same. I'm not 100% sure if it is, but people do say it is. I had fun with this mode. I played out my playoff predictions and swept Calgary 4-0. I think this mode is a great multiplayer mode!

Be A Pro
BAP was something I played every now and then in NHL 09, now I'm playing a game here and there just to see how much better I can do. I don't agree with the goofy equipment updates you can get (even though I do possess those stupid gold gloves/skates/stick) but it adds that RPG element into BAP that they wanted for some reason. I played my prospects game, got A+'s throughout and got drafted first overall by Colorado! I thought to myself 'oh sweet! I'll get a chance to play'. I played 4 games in the NHL on a line with Darcy Tucker and Cody McLeod. I got a handful of points and was sent down to Lake Erie. Since then, Tucker was traded for Mike Knuble (who is injured for the season) and I managed to stay atop the point getters 20 games later. I currently sit 8th on the team in points with only 4 games played. In the AHL, I am tearing it up with 55 points in 20 games (29g-26a-74pim+44). My team is 0-3-0 when I joined and now we're 19-3-1. I only just received a promotion to the 2nd line. It's very frustrating to dominate so bad and not get a call up, but somehow I'm very determined to get to the NHL and it makes me a better player of sorts...I like this mode.

Be A GM
So many gripes. Where to start. Trade Logic maybe? I turned off CPU trades because of some of the horrific deals I witnessed. Even if you turn trades off, they still make deals at the draft and the deadline, which isn't so bad. I can live with that. The trading sequence is great but I wish they would show overalls. I never got too in depth with this mode as I keep quitting to update my rosters, but I know soon enough I'll use My BE-A-GM profile guide and try to be accurate to a GM. The one thing I noticed that bugs me in this game is that there are no RFA's. After my first year Patrick Kane was a free agent. That made me a little sad.

EASHL
Our EASHL team is a success. We're not a bunch of All-Stars but we've had some amazing games. Currently we sit at 28-50-7. Not very impressive I know but I think thats because we have more fun trying to score NOT cutting to the net for the cross crease pass which seems to go in every time. We've had great TIP goals and SLAPPERS from the point, not to mention some great defensive play by all players on the team. Here are my individual stats at a B- ranking:
56GP__17G__23A__40PTS__-33__296PIM__6PPG__193HITS*__53BS*__422SHOTS
* denotes leading the team.
I've taken on more of a defensive role as I love staying back and hitting guys or stepping up on the point and blasting a slap shot through a screen. I also hold 9 of 20 records which is another reason to play this game, I'm glad they included a record book. I love playing with everyone of my teammates and I have alot of fun doing it, I just wish cheesing was down.

Gameplay
You know a lot hasn't changed from last years game, but there is still enough to notice a difference in this years game. I like that not every goal goes in, and I like that it's not so easy to win anymore, and when it does become too easy, there is sliders to adjust. I hope I don't get to that point soon because I like the way I'm playing now :) The new board play mode isn't too bad, I find it more effective against human players than CPU players as they will dish the puck very quickly when they see me near. I often get holding penalties because of this. The first person fighting, still needs some work, but it is a huge improvement over previous years' fighting. One thing I had to get used to was the controls. When the demo came out I tried to use the default controls (I am a classic controls kind of guy) and I didn't know you could change it to classic so I was FORCED to learn the new controls. Now I'll say I'm a whiz and I'm glad I had to learn them. You can play more of a complete game with all the new controls compared to classic controls.

Sound
I think the music in this game is terrible and very annoying. I don't care much for these bands and I usually turn it low to blast some of my own music. During the game, I shut up the commentators and turn up the on ice sounds. Its a much nicer way to listen to the game as the commentary doesn't distract you.

Graphics
Graphics isn't a big deal for me, especially since it can't get any worse than 2k (although they did make substantial improvements this season). One thing is the Arenas. I honestly cant tell if I'm in GM place or Joe Louis Arena. Sorry. One more bug that is kind of annoying me is the Flyers home jersey. van Riemsdyk goes past the pre-inserted name plate and just looks ridiculous.


Fun Moments
Playing around has generated some fun moments for me, which I will share with you! EDIT: I originally had the videos posted within this post but they got cutoff by the sidebar, so now there is links. ENJOY!

"i hate the 94 controls"
I wanted to get the achievement for using the 94 controls. Figured it was easy enough. So I'm playing Tampa vs Bridgeport and Dustin Kohn goes into board play. Since there is no board play button in the 94 controls, I try to hit him....

"kneez"
I was playing the 'Battle for the Cup' mode as Philly vs Calgary. I just scored my 4th unanswered goal to earn an achievement. On the ensuing faceoff, this happened. On the delayed call I managed to get the 'Score with your goalie pulled' achievement.

"35 game injury"
What happens in this video resulted in a 35 game injury, and a huge boarding penalty for me. This is from NHL 09 but I thought I'd share it because it's one of my favorite hits, and I dont see it as often in NHL 10.

STANLEY CUP FINALS
Philadelphia vs. Calgary
Champion: Philadelphia

WEST FINALS
Calgary vs. Vancouver

EAST FINALS
Washington vs. Philadelphia

LEAGUE MVP
Alexander Ovechkin - There is no player who's team needs him more than Ovechkin. Rack up another MVP trophy for this guy.

TOP 5 SURPRISES
1. Colorado Avalanche - Just because Colorado had a high draft pick this past season, doesn't mean they have a bad team. With a healthy squad they will push for the division this year, something that not everyone is expecting.
2. Detroit Red Wings - Detroit didn't get any better this year. They have however utilized some youth in their squad which should rebound them quickly within one or two seasons back to the top of the west.
3. Chicago Blackhawks - Big trades will come this season for Chicago as Toews/Kane are BOTH RFA's at the end of the season, and if they expect no one to try and poach one or two of these all-stars they will have to unload some salary.
4. The First Coach To Get Fired - It's early but whoever gets the axe first will probably be a shock. Rookie coaches won't get fired, but it's the Veteran guys who are on the block.
5. Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin - Only in NHL 09 did a line have 100+ points per season plus, and that was with Heatley-Alfredsson-Spezza. If there is any three players to do it, it'd be these guys. If the Caps struggle early on, look for this line to unite to hopefully bolster the clubs offense.

TOP 5 DISAPPOINTMENTS
1. Jonas Gustavsson - Although he is signed for a 1 year deal, The Monster will have a poor season in Toronto, leading to believe once again that there is goaltender issues in the Toronto organization.
2. John Tavares - Alex Ovechkin, and Sidney Crosby benefited from having a poor team around them their first few years. It allows the team to stock up on high draft picks. Tavares, the savior of the Islanders will not be god like this season, at least not playing on a line with Matt Moulson.
3. Hamilton - You know, I don't really like how this whole thing went down. One thing for sure is that there should not be Hockey in a city that it doesn't thrive in. It hurts everybody. Because the Yotes franchise loses money it comes from the revenue sharing which hurts the owners pockets. The owners will then raise ticket prices and sadly will drive some fans away in traditional hockey markets, or at least will hurt them. Canada should have another team, agreed. Should it be in Hamilton? Debatable.
4. Montreal Canadiens - I agree with PetrPuck on this one. The Habs did add some goal scorers, however they are small. They added some d-men, however they are slow. If any team wants to beat the Habs, just watch how Vancouver and Calgary did it.
5. Cody Hodgson - Sadly I do not believe that this relationship will last long. Rumor has it he has asked for a trade for failing to make the big squad this year. After failing to do so, the young prospect saw a third opinion on his back, which will keep him out until November, which would irritate and undermine the Vancouver Canucks team of experts. Too much pressure was put on this kid, by every media outlet out there. He folded under the pressure and got a big head over it. Hopefully he'll use this demotion as a learning experience.

CALDER TROPHY CANDIDATES
1. Matt Duchene
2. Nikita Filatov
3. James van Riemsdyk
4. Matt Gilroy
5. Victor Hedman

The Vancouver Canucks have started the season 0-3 which is highly uncharacteristic for a Stanley Cup contender. Despite losing three games, one unfortunate stat is that Roberto Luongo was pulled in the most recent game versus Columbus, AT HOME, in their home opener, which I was at. While many Canucks fans have hurt ankles jumping off the bandwagon and pressing the panic button, this Canucks fan has the solution.

Coach AV, as well as the team plays it safe in the media saying that there are team lapses which are causing their losses. I for one believe our losses are based more on poor individual performances. There has not been one player who I've thought 'Man this guy deserves to be here'. AV and Mike Gillis had said during their 7-0-2 pre-season that they do not cut players, players cut themselves. Those words only seemed to stick with one player in my mind, and that player is Tanner Glass who gets his first start in Vancouver tonight.

One player I have never been happy with is Willie Mitchell. What happened to you? When we signed Mitchell I was excited because of the grit and intensity that he brought to every shift versus Todd Bertuzzi. That seemed to disappear when he came to the Canucks. His 40 foot long stick only hurts our squad as he fumbles the puck on a regular basis. He got a couple of points versus Columbus the other night, but he still in my books one of our worst defenseman. I think Aaron Rome (who actually looked decent in preseason) should play in place of Mitchell one game.

Sergei Shirokov, had such pressure to perform, and sadly he is not. He is easily thrown off the puck and hasn't registered a quality shot in three games. I think he will be sent down within 10 games. I don't what they'd do, I guess it all depends on how Glass performs but sadly he isn't a 2nd line player and they need someone with scoring prowess to help the Sedin line generate goals until Demitra is back.

Rick Rypien and Darcy Hordichuck have not dropped the gloves once this season. I dont know what they are trying to do but when you go 0-3 you need your tough guys to go out there and set an example quick with a huge forecheck and some fights as well.

AV has to be my biggest disappointment with Vancouver so far. I think Mike Gillis made a mistake extending his contract during pre-season. Versus Columbus the other night, he chose to keep the Sedins/Shirokov on the ice for the powerplay which extended over a few minutes, which led to a goal. When Vancouver got burned hard, AV left the same line out and Columbus scored again 18 seconds later. Opposing teams d-men are really getting used to shutting down the cycle game, and that is what AV is rolling on al 4 lines, which is why you're not seeing amazing pressure throughout the game, and why we're not scoring goals as much, despite out shooting the opposing team.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Canucks will bounce back, but digging themselves a hole early isn't helping, BUT if were going to go on a losing streak, might as well do it now. Canucks fans hold onto your hats because there are still twenty something days left this month, which happens to be our worst month to play in. But we will bounce back.

The buzz around Vancouver lately is about how Cody Hodgson, the can't miss prospect and future of our franchise, got cut despite being a sure thing to make the roster. TSN has even gone on to say that he'll be tops in rookie points this season. Thats a lot of pressure for someone who never earned his spot. I was lucky enough to go to every single home pre-season game in Vancouver this year and I must say that I agree with the coaching decision made.

Arriving at 6pm when the doors open we were able to go right to the tunnel where the players would come out, and low and behold who would come out... Cody Hodgson. He would walk out, bouncing a tennis ball or drinking a bottle of water. He would go to the bench unharmed but when he turned around to go back he would be mobbed by the fans, signing autographs and getting pictures taken with kids. I of course never bothered him because I grew up in a hockey city and I know the general response to male fans. If you're not a female, or a kid then hockey players don't really acknowledge you unless they HAVE to. But I digress.

Watching him for four straight home games get mobbed by fans it was obvious that he was letting it get to his head. Personally I think that you should be in a dressing room with your teammates figuring out strategies or just simply getting amped up for the upcoming game. In a local newspaper Hodgson was quoted as saying "I am constantly thinking of offensive strategies when I am out there." Which is hard to do when you're getting mobbed by fans. I recorded a video of the team coming out for pre-game practice and he high fived every fan. When he would stop to take a water break, he would look into the stands, and acknowledge anyone who yelled out 'CODY'. Shane O'Brien is guilty of that too, and that's why you'll see him the odd man out in the defensive log jam we have.. but that's a topic for another day.

His head wasn't in the right place and he has to learn QUICKLY that Vancouver is a very demanding city to play in. Fans here will quickly turn on any star player if they do not perform and sadly he never during this Pre-Season. After his first game versus Edmonton, I said "Yup. He's getting cut." because it was so obvious he lacked focus. There is no doubt in my mind that Hodgson will be an amazing player for this franchise, but until he learns to ignore the fans and focus more on his game he will continue to struggle at the NHL level.