Will GM Connected be in NHL 24?

One of the most asked about topics when it comes to NHL video games each and every year is about the potential return of GM Connected. Each year it is brought up and each year there is not a lot of information related to the topic other than not seeing it in the video game each year. Once again GM Connected was brought up in regards to NHL 24, but this time EA Sports had a response that may have fans excited.

On August 11, EA Sports revealed a quick 8-minute NHL 24 Community Update via their Twitter page. The NHL 24 Community Update was hosted by the NHL Community Manager Dustin Wade, AKA “Clappy.” Clappy sat down with Creative Director Mike Inglehart and Senior Director of NHL 24 Chris Haluke.

https://twitter.com/EASPORTSNHL/status/1690015344847355905?s=20

The three of them brought up a bunch of interesting talking points in regards to NHL 24, but one of the talking points really perked up the ears quite a bit. This was when Clappy asked about a potential return of GM Connected. Clappy stated “GM Connected, that’s something that we haven’t publicly addressed for a while now. What we know is that everyone requests it. So, how do we get to a Connected Franchise mode?”

Mike Inglehart’s response was very interesting. He started off by saying that they have been trying to figure out how to get this game mode back into the NHL franchise once again. The game mode was a big one and they recognize that, and Mike Inglehart stated that it is not something that they can “nail in a single cycle.” That is basically saying that GM Connected is not something that can be created in a single year.

The video also goes on into detail that they are trying to get away from GM word and thus call it something along the lines of Connected Franchise. They have been taking the time out to figure out ways that they can make a Connected Franchise mode more modernized. The main thing EA Sports is trying to do is not to just bring back a beloved game mode. Instead, they want to make sure that when they bring it back, it is going to be better than ever and live up to top tier expectations.

Mike did state that GM Connected or a Connected Franchise mode will not be coming to NHL 24, but the information we got said a lot. Everything Mike said alluded to the fact that it is not an “if,” but a “when” GM Connected or a Connected Franchise mode would be coming back to the franchise.

This was a massive statement made by the Creative Director. They want to make sure that they get this game mode right and that they don’t pluck what once was back into a modern video game.

With all of that being said, we know that it should be coming at some point in the near future. If I had to guess, NHL 25 or NHL 26 is most likely when we will get our first look at this revitalized game mode. GM Connected is asked about every year and this news is only going to spark more conversation. EA Sports is working on bringing a much-improved Connected Franchise mode into the video game franchise. However, NHL 24 will not showcase its debut.