The pre-game screen is very helpful. While the boost bars helps the game considerably, it would have been nice if EA would have went a step further by adding passing and stick handling bars. Most teams have a passing efficiency of around 90 percent each game and it leads to a breakneck game pace regardless of where the player boost is set. A great goal by Jagr. Here, you can guide your team through ten consecutive seasons.
Players retire, improve and lose skills, rookies are drafted, and free agents are signed.
The free agent period deserves special mentioning as EA Sports has adopted a very unique system. You then select three players that you wish to sign. This process is repeated until all the free agents are signed. I really like this method. Since there are no salaries, this keeps micromanaging to a minimum and also keeps the rosters dynamic.