NHL 08 is skating into retail outlets today for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PS2 and PC. The game includes a host of new features this year, enough that we’ll just go ahead and copy/paste from EA’s press release:
“An all-new deking system enables you to move the puck off your stick, to walk around a defender and give you space in front to challenge the goalie. For all the goaltenders out there, an all-new Goalie Mode feature lets you strap on the pads and be the last line of defense in net for the first time.
“…[A]n all-new intelligent CPU called On-The-Fly AI functionally coaches against you to counter your tendencies, and forces you to adjust your strategy. With Create-a-Play, you can hit the whiteboard and showcase your own strategic wisdom by customizing plays, recording them in practice mode and bringing them into game to outsmart your opponent. Innovative new online features such as Online Custom Leagues and Online Team Play that links up to six players anywhere in the world, gives you a new level of online depth.
“NHL 08 will feature an exclusive AHL license for the first time, with all 29 teams from the primary development league for the NHL fully playable in game. Develop your talent with their AHL affiliate until you are ready to call them up for the show. Manage your team from the ground up while staying under the salary cap.”