NHL 27

Connected Franchise Mode, a returning feature from NHL 14 under a new name, allows players to connect with up to 32 other users to each manage an National Hockey League (NHL) franchise. The game's AI behaviour also saw updates based on data gathered from NHL EDGE, the NHL's dedicated puck and player tracker. Each team has its own Team Playbook, representing tactical approaches that are modeled on the play styles of the real world counterparts. Broadcasts received a visual overhaul; intro presentations now feature players exiting from their team's locker room tunnels and the goal celebrations for most teams feature real songs. John Buccigross and Darren Pang form the new commentary team, replacing James Cybulski and Cheryl Pounder.

Electronic Arts confirmed the use of generative AI in a software update blog post on September 11, 2026 citing a commitment to improve authenticity. The AI was used to create additional voice lines on top of prerecorded dialogue with explicit permission from new colour commentators Buccigross and Pang. Buccigross had previously discussed the publisher's use of generative AI in an episode of the Chirping Zebras podcast on September 3, 2026, expressing his enthusiasm for it, stating, "They played me some stuff back in my voice. It's like, wow, that's pretty good." He also recalled errors that required human correction during development.

NHL 27 received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic, and 29% of critics recommended the game, according to OpenCritic.

The game's player face scans received widespread criticism for their inaccuracy. ESPN interviewed select NHL players regarding their face scans during the league's Media Tour in Las Vegas, Nevada; some reacted negatively, including Seattle Kraken centre Matty Beniers, Chicago Blackhawks centre Frank Nazar, and Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield, with the latter describing his player model as having "[seen] a ghost or something."