New to NHL 22 is a new game engine and a graphical overhaul. The NHL series jumps to the Frostbite engine, after using the Ignite engine for the previous 7 years. Additionally, it moves to the next generation consoles PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.[3] NHL 22 also introduces Superstar X-Factors, which are abilities that makes superstar players unique, and differentiates them from other players. This also unlocks specific animations affecting their area of expertise.[4]
NHL 22 will be feature complete on all four platforms, with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions also moving to the Frostbite engine, while the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions won't be losing any features from the last generation counterpart. According to NHL producer Clement Kwong, the NHL team's priority this year was making sure everything will be carried over to the new Frostbite engine, as well as next generation versions so as to not repeat the same mistake with the previous console generation transition that was NHL 15. In moving to the Frostbite Engine, the NHL team is rebuilding all the arenas around the new lighting engine, allowing for enhanced particle and visual effects on the ice and elsewhere, as well as the character models are also being redone.[5]
NHL 22 also introduces new gameplay animations, with new reverse hitting, new pass and shot blocks, new pickups, revamped puck protection, additional goalie saves/pokes, and more.[6]
NHL 22 also introduces the new expansion team Seattle Kraken, as they join the National Hockey League in the 2021–22 NHL season.[7] In franchise mode, you can redo the Seattle Kraken expansion draft or do a 33rd NHL team expansion draft, and as requested by fans for several years, for the first time in the NHL series, in NHL 22 you can now share your rosters and download community made roster files with the new roster sharing feature, which will be coming out in December.[8]
On January 27, 2022, women's national hockey teams were added in NHL 22 for the first time in the series.
In March 2022, publisher EA Sports announced that the Russia and Belarus national teams will be removed from NHL 22 following the former country's invasion of Ukraine. The announcement comes following the International Ice Hockey Federation's announcement that they will expelled both Russia and Belarus from six tournaments by the federation in March to September 2022, along with the International Olympic Committee's announcement on banning both Russian and Belarusian athletes from all international competitions on March 1, 2022.
