DEADLINE 87

Notes on the season and the rom:

-Player ratings were quite a challenge, but it was very helpful if the player went on to appear in the EA games in the 90s.  Generally speaking, total points=offensive awareness, shot%=shot accuracy, assists=passing, PIMs=roughness/aggressiveness, points/"point shares"=overall rating.  Regarding things behind the stats like shooting power, or speed, or checking, had to do some guesswork there.

-This season, Gretzky won his 8th straight MVP.  He led the league with 62 goals.  Remarkably, even if he had not scored a single goal, he still had enough assists to win the scoring title.  So yeah, he's pretty good in this rom.

-The Oilers plowed through the regular season and playoffs before being pushed to 7 by the Flyers in the finals.  The Flyers were pretty damn good too; Hextall (Vezina and Conn Smythe), Poulin (Selke), Kerr (58 goals, 2nd behind Gretzky), Howe (Norris runner-up behind Bourque).

-There was no all-star game, but rather a two game series of NHL All-stars versus Russia in "Rendez Vous 87."  These teams are in this rom.  I really had to guess at rating some Russian players, although 11 players on Russia's roster actually appear in NHL 94.  I also threw in Team Canada and Team USA from the '87 Canada Cup for good measure!!

-Many past stars such Bossy, Salming, Linseman, Federko, Langway, Dionne and Robinson are found, and some are still pretty effective.  Other guys like Trottier, Savard, Goulet, Statsny and Mullen are much closer to their prime than in 94.

-Lots of green in jerseys for Minnesota and Hartford, and eye-popping jerseys for LA and VAN.