Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

NHL 26 Gameplay Changes Explained – Full Breakdown

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 1:48 PM ET

Full breakdown of NHL 26’s gameplay update, covering LT nerfs, hip checks, X-Factors, and goalie changes

Today, the EA NHL 26 team provided a much-anticipated gameplay update, giving fans their clearest look yet at how this year’s entry is shaping up. The NHL series has long faced the challenge of capturing the authentic feel of hockey while also keeping the game balanced for competitive play. With NHL 26, the gameplay team has taken direct aim at community feedback, refining mechanics and systems that were heavily debated in NHL 25. From reworked skating controls to a streamlined set of X-Factors, this year’s updates are designed to make the game not only look more like real hockey, but play like it too.

Below are the biggest gameplay changes coming to NHL 26:

LT / Vision Control Adjustments
Speed cap and penalty added to reduce abuse on zone entries. Pivot override spamming now slows players down with a consecutive penalty.
Hip Checking Rework
No longer effective as a forechecking crutch. Power depends on skating angle—backskating checks stay strong, while 180 spins are weakened.
Reverse Hitting Toned Down
No more invulnerability—players can stumble or absorb contact instead of skating through checks. Height, weight, and speed all factor into results.

X-Factors Streamlined
Cut down from 70 to 28 impactful abilities. Clearer activation cues with unique animations and UI indicators. Abilities balanced across archetypes, from snipers to goaltenders.
NHL Edge Data Integration
Real-world tracking data powers player separation. NHL Edge data is collected from players after every NHL game using infrared cameras and jersey trackers. Acceleration and skating speed now make elite players like McDavid stand out from grinders.

Goalie Improvements
New ‘saves out of saves’ branching system for dynamic reactions. Reflex saves added for tight-area shots. Over 80 new animations for awareness, reactions, and post-jam saves.
Player Tendencies & Authenticity
Behaviors shaped by archetypes, attributes, and X-Factors. Expect to see stars replicate real-life tendencies—MacKinnon attacking the middle, Ovechkin setting up for one-timers, and physical players leaning into body checks.

The gameplay team emphasized that these changes aim to restore realism while keeping competitive balance. By cutting down on exploits and highlighting real-world player differences, NHL 26 is positioned as one of the most authentic entries in years. Fans will get to experience the improvements firsthand when the game drops September 5.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: