Oilers442's Book of Epiphanies

One question that I have surprisingly never been asked but that was posed to me by Len the Legend on the NHL 94 Podcast was regarding the goalies in SNES. Thus, I wanted to write a brief summary about why they are not covered in my writeups along with some general observations and anecdotes regarding them in game. In general, I chose not to write about goalies for SNES because in most cases, a coach is either best off utilizing the starting goalie due to better ratings and/or not even overthinking the choice in general. There is a notable case where one may consider using John Blue instead of Andy Moog for Boston due to a better overall rating. However, in examination of …

New York Islanders The 1992-93 NHL season saw the New York Islanders at something of a curious point in their franchise's existence. Nearly a decade removed from their peak dynasty years, most of the players from that era had either moved on to other teams or retired leaving the team in search of a new identity. What remained afterwards was a collection of players who, outside of one superstar, would not be mistaken for a dynasty cup winning team but were scrappy and determined enough to make one of the biggest upsets in NHL playoff history and make a deep run to the 1993 Eastern Conference finals. Thus, the SNES version of NHL 94 sees the Islanders personify this identit…

New Jersey Devils AJ previously put it best for GENS; the New Jersey Devils are easily the most unheralded team among NHL 94 users. This is most certainly true on the SNES as the Devils do not appear to receive a whole lot of use by the majority of coaches. Aside from Scott Stevens, the Devils lack a true superstar player; especially among all forwards. However, the Devils are a team that possesses a unique balance of abilities and skill sets among various players that can make line choices very interesting and variable depending on user preferences or opponent traits. Forwards Zelepukin-Semak-Richer This is probably the most balanced and fastest line that New Jersey …

New York Rangers While the 1992-93 New York Rangers season ended in disappointing fashion due to missing the playoffs, the team had several crucial pieces in place that make them one of the stronger teams on SNES. Some of these players would also remain with the team during their journey to Stanley Cup glory and hockey immortality the very next season. Forwards Messier-Gartner-Tikkanen While 2/3 of the blueshirts starting forwards broke into the NHL with the legendary Edmonton Oilers of the 80s, it's Mike Gartner and his blazing speed & howitzer of a shot that provides the most fireworks for the Rangers on SNES. Gartner weighs in at 196 lbs. and while not quite a two-…

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers of SNES NHL 94 are a fun bunch to use but not without their warts. The team was overall underwhelming in the 1992-93 NHL season but saw several good statistical performances from their top players which resulted in some solid individual ratings in the game. This translates to a team that can play somewhat similarly to teams like the Oilers or Islanders... Enough skill to ice a competent to effective lineup but with the hope for no injuries and as few penalties as possible. Forwards Sanderson-Verbeek-Cassels Geoff Sanderson is rarely ever mentioned as a top forward in the SNES community. At first glance, one can see why as his ratings …

As of this writing in April 2026, I've been back active in the NHL 94 community for almost a year after numerous absences and extended periods away since 2015. I was fortunate & trusted enough to be given this space 10+ years ago by the site's leadership and I remain grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts about the plethora of different lineups and options that can be utilized for every team in SNES. More importantly, I'm extremely grateful for the patience the community extended to me in this space being left as it was for the years I was away. This is especially so knowing it could have just as easily been converted over to someone else or the community a…

Winnipeg Jets Long time fans will no doubt remember NHL 94 as one of the last representations of the original incarnation of the Winnipeg Jets before the team's departure to Phoenix, Arizona in the mid 1990s. I remember discovering ZSNES in 2006 and playing NHL 94 with the Jets and wondering what it would be like if they never left the NHL and if perhaps they'd ever return someday. I also remember back then several things about the team standing out immediately on NHL 94 and which would later become even more apparent over thousands of games played online from late 2010 and beyond. Though not always considered a top team on SNES, the Jets indeed have enough firepower and …

Los Angeles Kings It’s safe to say that for many SNES players, the Los Angeles Kings are easily among the sentimental favorite teams to use for a variety of reasons. Whether that reason is nostalgia, high end skill, destroying opponents with Marty McSorley, mimicking Fenty’s antics, etc., rarely are there ever any instances of the Kings not being used by at least a semi notable coach in any SNES classic league. Thankfully, the Kings of the early 90s possessed an abundance of top end talent at nearly every position that make this team an absolute joy to use and win with in NHL 94. Forwards (Minus) The Great One? Robitaille-Carson-Sandstrom Any time I ever describe SNES NHL…

Vancouver Canucks Though the Vancouver Canucks would not make their run to the Stanley Cup Finals until the next calendar year, the 1993 release of NHL 94, and especially on the SNES, sees the team display some of the same characteristics and qualities that the real life NHL team would later come to embody. As such, while this 16 bit version of the Canucks will never be mistaken for one of the game’s elite teams, there are certainly plenty of reasons why this team is not only above average, but can absolutely perform well against the league’s toughest competition and even despite one notable weakness. Forwards Courtnall-Linden-Bure If you were asked to…

Will we ever see more ephiphanies from Oilers442? I for one, really enjoyed reading these.

Philadelphia Flyers Although loaded with some weapons and firepower on their front-end, a mediocre defensive corps holds the Philadelphia Flyers back from being among the elite teams in NHL 94. However, if a user can find ways to counteract Philadelphia’s lack of strong defensive coverage on the blue-line, the Flyers are a team that can do some moderate to serious damage in the hands of a skilled player. Forwards "The 'Real' Crazy Eights (8-88-[1+7=8])" Recchi-Lindros-Brind’Amour Although not previously recommend for GENS play, Rod Brind’Amour brings solid defense to the table with his above average defensive awareness and 212 lb. weight. In short, Brind’Amour’s size…

Washington Capitals Highly under-rated on the SNES, the Washington Capitals are a team that brings forth many crucal skills and strengths at both ends of the ice along with the ability to counter any style of play offered by the opposing team. Thus, while not necessarily the most balanced or "user-friendly" team, Washington is one that can consistently deliver solid performances and provide more than a match for the most elite teams in the game. Forwards Ridley-Khristich-Bondra Consistency, consistency, consistency: the hallmark of Mike Ridley. 212 lbs., 65 Agi/Spd/Off Awr/Shot Acc/Stk. Ridley's skills are not necessarily considered elite in comparison to the top p…

Edmonton Oilers Ah yes, the early 90’s post-dynasty Edmonton Oilers that are many an SNES coach’s favorite “whipping boy”. Personally, the Oilers are my favorite team in the game and one that I feel deserves a bit more praise than it gets… at least among its best players anyway. Among the most overlooked teams on the SNES, the Oilers possess an abundance of speed, skill, and physicality that is evenly distributed among the team’s best players. Only a lack of depth on the bench prevents the Oilers from being considered a top-tier team, but with the right coach, lineup, gameplan, and crossed-fingers for no injuries, this is a team that can certainly compete with and defeat …