Oilers442

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 Blue's attributes, it quickly becomes apparent that Blue's overall is boosted by a higher defensive awareness rating but yet his other base attributes are either the same or slightly worse than Moog. Further, there is still not a consensus all these years after the game's release on what difference the defensive awareness rating actually makes for goalies in SNES. There is also the observation by myself and some others in the SNES community that goalies tend to play the same in Automatic Goalie mode regardless of size, attributes, etc.... Most one timers or dekes seem to result in goals from very similar angles regardless of who is in net. This, and because most goals scored in SNES online matchups come vs Automatic Goalies, is why I tend to lean towards the opinion that Goalie attributes don't matter as much on SNES. To be fair, there does seem to be some difference in Manual Goalie mode in how fast goalies can slide across the crease to stop one timers/dekes or how easily they can be rammed and knocked out of position by a heavier opposing player. These differences are most likely tied to a goalie's agility, weight or some combination thereof. So this does present a few things to consider regarding goalies and which ones may feel best for a coach in Manual Goalie mode. However, I believe that in most cases, the best Manual Goalie will again be the default starter and that the decision is typically not one that needs to be subject to overthinking. As always, I welcome any feedback, opinions, anecdotes, thoughts, or even facts drawn from the game's code that may have been discovered but is not widely known or circulated at this point. In the end, the more information shared on subjects like this, the more we all benefit whether in online play or general knowledge of the game. Further, should there be a sizeable wish or demand for Goalies to be included in my writeups, I'm always happy to take that into consideration even despite my opinions noted above.

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 identity and bring forth enough to be a competitive team despite lacking in some respects. Forwards Hogue-Turgeon-Thomas Benoit Hogue is an interesting case as his attributes make him a pretty effective player on his own and one who may have enough to be the centerpiece of a line if it weren't for the presence of Turgeon. While Hogue is a lighter middleweight at 196 lbs, his strong skating and shooting accuracy give him several different ways to contribute offensively and make up for any lack of two-way presence. Hogue gets the recommendation for the left side mainly so he can utilize his speed for strong forehand dekes but he is a very credible one timer threat and able to score from most places on the ice. In the end, he can be practically as effective on his offhand and so the decision of where to slot him mainly goes to user preference. Possibly the most unheralded superstar in SNES NHL 94, Pierre Turgeon was the centerpiece of the package the Islanders received in exchange for Pat LaFontaine roughly a year and a half or so earlier. Turgeon rewarded the Islanders brass with consistency and strong offensive numbers for several seasons until he was frustratingly & confusingly traded away. On SNES, Turgeon's 212 lb weight, and strong awareness, agility, speed, and shot power/accuracy make him a dynamic weapon in all facets of the game. He is equally effective at playing a physical defensive game as he is lighting the lamp with quick strike dekes and laser precise one timers. No matter the situation, Turgeon has the goods to excel, the ability to singlehandedly take over games, and the will to carry the Islanders on his back and drag them to victory. The 3rd Forward spot is a bit tougher but Steve Thomas brings forth just enough positives to the table to receive a recommendation. While he is very light and at times a liability on the ice, "Stumpy" does have some fight in him and does occasionally surprise with the delivery of a big & timely hit. Thomas' main asset is that his skating ratings are adequate enough for him to keep pace with Hogue and Turgeon and provide the Islanders with some symmetry and ability to push the pace of the game. Thomas, however, has only average shot ratings and is not a strong finisher at long distances or on one timers. He'll mainly only contribute to the scoresheet with dekes and assists but if he can do that while keeping himself out of trouble when entering the offensive zone, then he's doing his job and adequately supplementing the skills and punch of Hogue & Turgeon. The Islanders bench Forwards, while not very deep, do provide a few options and one in particular that brings an intriguing, and at times very effective, alternate line suggestion: Turgeon-King-Hogue Derek King's overall rating is significantly less than that of Hogue and Turgeon but this doesn't tell the whole story. A deeper look at the player reveals shot ratings equal to Turgeon and a similar 212 lb frame. In short, King does possess the ability to be physical at Center Ice and maintain a similar defensive consciousness as Turgeon. Offensively, King is equally adept at lighting the lamp on one timers and especially at long distances. His stickhandling is also a slight upgrade from Thomas and ensures the Islanders keep an adequate pass receiver on the ice at all three forward positions. While King's speed is a concern, moving Turgeon to the Wing maintains the Islanders ability to push the pace of the game on the outside and Turgeon and Hogue are more than capable of scoring off the rush on their own. The benefit also is that King can slip in behind the defense who are very focused on either winger. From there, if King has a lane to shoot, he will usually bury his chances with deadly precision. Simply put, King's presence gives the Islanders three great shooters and another layer to their offense that plays right into the hands of finesse players & one timer fiends. Yes, some patience is required with Derek King but he is another player cut from the mold of Simpson or Tocchet who can surprise the unsuspecting and play well above his overall rating at times. Elsewhere, the options are limited but there is Ray Ferraro or Dave Volek in the event of game ending injuries. Both players are lighter and not supremely skilled shooters which will hurt the Islanders at both ends of the ice. But both are competent enough skaters and stickhandlers and would be effective enough at maintaining the Isles ability to transition the puck up ice. From there, it would be a matter of continuing to lean on Hogue or Turgeon to primarily handle the offensive workload as neither Volek or Ferraro can be counted on to maintain the same standard for shooting and one timers. Defense Malakhov-Kurvers/Lachance/Kasparaitis Now for the weak point of the Islanders... The defense group is simply lacking and not one that can reliably contribute offensively. The key to succeeding with such a lacking group is to be very conservative defensively and construct the D pair with shot & goal suppression as the primary focus. Thankfully, Vladimir Malakhov fits this role well enough given his 220 lb frame and decent enough awareness ratings. However, his skating and stickhandling ratings are merely average and so he will not be one to regularly go on his own offensive excursions ala Zalapski, Iafrate, Bourque, etc... For Malakhov, the name of the game is simply being physical, causing turnovers, quickly retrieving the puck, and looking to make a quick & solid breakout pass to the Forwards. Anything more than that and Malakhov can quickly become a liability for the Islanders. For the #2 D-man, there are several options but not necessarily in a positive sense. The issue for the Islanders is that the remaining D-men are all very average and have very similar attributes to one another. And because none of them stand out, it makes the decision of who to start become one leaning towards gut feeling and intuition. With this in mind and the mission of shot & goal suppression at the forefront, either Tom Kurvers or Scott Lachance would appear to be the team's best option. Both are very average across the board with no true signature trait setting either apart from one another. Neither player will be making any regular end to end rushes or putting defenses on their heels in the offensive zone. However, both players weigh 204 lbs and can be somewhat effective at protecting the slot and causing turnovers. The difference between the two is mainly in athleticism and defensive awareness. Kurvers is the slightly better skater while Lachance has slightly higher defensive awareness. These differences are only subtle though and still don't necessarily present a clear argument for one player over the other. There's always a chance that either player struggles to maintain puck control or is inconsistent with their defensive zone positioning which leads to dangerous chances for the opposition or goals against. In those moments, it becomes a matter of properly timing any substitutions or quickly pivoting to another player from the bench to try to minimize the damage. However, the remaining bench players are similarly average with only Darius Kasparaitis seemingly being decent enough to fit the bill. The caveat is that Kasparaitis is slightly lighter at 196 lbs but has a bit more base agility. So at times he may be a more effective puck carrier but he still has an average stickhandling rating and can't necessarily be counted on in the Islanders transition game. The story is similar with players like Jeff Norton (albeit with even lower stickhandling) and thus, the issue persists that there is no clear #2 D-man that the Islanders can consistently lean on. Expect at least an uphill battle with the Islanders D corps but if it can be worked around, a player should consider that a victory in and of itself. Conclusion An underrated but spectacular superstar in Turgeon, a diverse & skilled group of supporting Forwards, and a very mediocre group of defensemen places the Islanders firmly in the mid-tier in SNES NHL 94. However, in the hands of a skilled player, this team has enough to do a lot of damage and be very successful despite its shortcomings. TheProfessor proved this to be true in his recent Spring 2025 SNES A Classic Championship season with the Islanders and thus, the team is still deserving of a look from coaches when deciding on a team for a classic season.

In consideration of the recent passing of Claude Lemieux, I'd like to add a few words about the legend and his presence in SNES NHL 94. Lemieux weighs in at a massive 228 lbs and can be an effective physical & defensive presence for the team. As several members of the SNES community and online players above have noted, Lemieux has moments where he can go off and have a big game offensively. He possesses decent offensive awareness and shot power and will generally be in the right position to set up for one timers during the course of a game. However, Lemieux's weaknesses lie in average Speed, Agility, Stickhandling, and Shot Accuracy. Simply put, Lemieux will be hard pressed to finish with consistency when shooting from longer distances and does not have the same level of shot power of folks like Gartner, Kamensky, or fellow teammate Richer that keeps an inaccurate shot quite as dangerous. Lemieux is also unfortunately not the most effective at lugging the puck and quickly gaining the offensive zone. Again, his teammates like the aforementioned Richer, Zelepukin, etc are much more ideal for this role despite being lighter. Choosing to omit Lemieux was never a matter of disrespect or malice. It was simply based on the thought and viewpoint that players like Valeri Zelepukin and Peter Stastny provide the team with more consistency in the exact areas where Lemieux is not particularly strong. As always though, I encourage all players to experiment as much as possible with different looks and feels. If there are situations where Lemieux is extremely effective in a player's own personal style/game and he makes the player that much better, I don't fault that player one bit for using him. Rest in Peace Claude and thank you for your wonderful contributions to the rich history of Ice Hockey and the NHL. You will never be forgotten!

After having some time to do some testing in Exhibition games and after recently doing an episode of the NHL 94 Podcast with Len the Legend (thanks again for having me buddy!), I am going to add an official revision to the New York Rangers. Please see the below... New recommended D pairing: Patrick-Lowe Kevin Lowe's 204 lb weight and almost equivalent speed ratings to Brian Leetch make Lowe the more ideal option on D despite the difference in overall rating between the two players. Leetch's high overall rating has some to do with his 100 Agility and very high Stickhandling. While these are certainly assets, Leetch's average base speed does not allow him to make full or best use of the high Agility. Further, SNES stickhandling generally only needs to be a base 65 or higher for pass receiving to be almost automatic. Thus, Lowe can absolutely be just as effective as Leetch at rushing or receiving the puck and his ability to be more physical, and especially on a consistent basis, makes him more valuable for the Rangers blueline. Leetch can still be a useful and steady option off the bench, but Kevin Lowe paired with James Patrick gives the Rangers a pretty effective shutdown pairing that consistently provides them the best chance to win in every game.

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 don't suggest a player that stands out in the crop of top forwards in the league. However, Sanderson's primary assets are solid skating/agility and good base shot ratings. He's adequate in both deking and one timer situations and can ultimately pile up goals and assists in bunches when used properly. The only weak point in Sanderson's game is that he weighs in at a modest 188 lbs and will therefore not be a strong physical presence at either end of the ice. But ultimately, Sanderson is more than capable of strong output on a consistent basis and proves to be one of the more underrated forwards in the league. Down the middle, the Whalers can turn to the 196 lb Pat Verbeek and his unique brand of skating, shooting, and occasional physicality. I say the latter with some slight apprehension though. Verbeek is just not able to be a pure Linden or Carson type who can impose his will on the opposition. But Verbeek will withstand a share of hits and throw down some of his own... or at least the most effectively among the three starting Forwards. In the end, Verbeek is likely the best option at Center for the Whalers based on his combination of size and skill. His base shot ratings are equal to Sanderson (4/4) and his skating is very similar also. Thus, based on weight Verbeek gets the nod at Center but Sanderson can be almost as effective too if given the chance. So in reality there is no right or wrong way to deploy Sanderson or Verbeek. The key is just having them both in the lineup and allowing them to feed off one another at every opportunity possible. Andrew Cassels is given the last Forward starting spot at Right Wing but not necessarily on merit. In short, Cassels is not very physical due to being a middleweight at 196 lbs and he also has very average skating and shot ratings; his accuracy is above average but his power is noticeably lacking. Asking him to consistently score on one timers or generate chances quickly off the rush either with dekes or effective passes will be a chore at best. Cassels really only receives his spot in the lineup because of somewhat reliable pass receiving (but not always guaranteed to a mediocre stick handling rating) and because none of the bench forwards have stronger skills that give them a compelling case to be inserted into the lineup. A first look at Mark Janssens indicates a potentially solid power forward based on his 228 lb weight and similar overall rating to Cassels. And if we're being honest, it is very tempting to try and use Janssens to insert some much-needed size and physicality at Forward. However, the problem is that Janssens simply does not have the speed to keep up with Sanderson & Verbeek, the shooting ability to make himself a one timer threat, or even the pass receiving reliability/consistency to supplant Cassels. That's not to mention the ability to stretch the defense that is wholly lost when utilizing Janssens. Unfortunately, things don't get better from there for the Whalers. Other options exist in the form of Mikael Nylander, Robert Kron, and others but again, none have any skills or attributes that separate them from each other or the aforementioned starters. I have seen Patrick Poulin receive some love in recent SNES classic seasons which counts for something. I suppose this is due to his 220 lb weight and ability to play a physical game. But in general, asking him to perform as well as or at least adequately offensively in comparison to Sanderson/Verbeek will be a tall order to say the least. Defense Zalapski-Weinrich Thankfully, the path forward on defense is much easier for Hartford. Zarley Zalapski captured something of lightning in a bottle in the 1992-93 season and received some very nice ratings based on his 14 goal & 65 point campaign. The only downside for him was finishing -34 that year but this does not diminish the impact he brings on both sides of the ice in SNES NHL 94. In short, Zalapski is blessed with good skating/agility/defensive awareness and weighs 220 lbs. Whether it's a timely and bruising hit to cause a turnover and start the Whalers attack, being in the right position to cut off passing lanes, or making a skilled end to end rush to score on a deke or create a lane for the forwards, Zalapski is one of the most versatile defensemen in the game and a key part of the recipe for success with the Whalers. At 220 lbs, Eric Weinrich slots in as the #2 defenseman and brings a very similar brand of physicality to the lineup. This alone gives Hartford two d-men who generally will not give up very much in their own end and will be giving the opposition second thoughts when coming in for dekes and attacking opportunities. Weinrich can also bring his own brand of offense to the table with occasional dekes and end to end rushes due to his own respectable athleticism; although not quite up to the standard set by Zalapski. In the end, Weinrich on his own is a reliable and above average defenseman which is exactly what you want in a #2 when there is the option and incentive of taking offensive risks with Zalapski. Hartford also has an intriguing bench D option in Adam Burt. Ratings wise, Burt plays very similar to Weinrich in a lighter 196 lb package. This does result in somewhat reduced physical play but at least without the loss of any athleticism or effectiveness in the Whalers transition game. It would be a stretch to recommend him as a starter over the more physical Weinrich, but at the very least Burt is a steady option for the Whalers in the event that Zalapski or Weinrich is injured for the duration of the game or run into penalty trouble. Conclusion A solid duo at both Forward & Defense gives the Whalers enough to be effective at both ends of the ice and consistently from game to game. Finding ways to work around the lack of an equivalent 3rd Forward and overall superstar is the biggest hurdle to the team's success but can be overcome with enough patience and strong execution. TokenToma's recent Spring 2025 run to the SNES Classic A finals with the Whalers is pure proof of this and also of what the Whalers can achieve when in capable hands.

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 at large to pick up from there. In that sense and now that I'm back active again, I'd like to not only continue on with the original goal of completing lineup guides for every team on the SNES but also share other general "epiphanies" about the SNES game and the many different facets of it that make a difference for coaches in online games. However, I also want to take some time to recognize many folks who were/are still instrumental over the years in contributing and building the SNES community into what it is today. Many of them are no longer active today and it remains to be seen if they will emerge again at some point. But I do believe it is not short sighted to call them the heroes of SNES and to recognize & remember them for the mark they left that still lives on many years later. Disclaimers: 1. There is no set criteria for inclusion on this list. This is a list of folks who were most influential on my journey in NHL 94 but also contributed a lot to the SNES community at large. 2. This list is in no particular order and is not "locked" to the here and now. There is always the potential for future revisions down the road. Also, any names potentially "excluded" are not because of malice or ill intent. There is a large number of legendary folks who were here before and who I was never fortunate enough to interact with. There are also several folks currently in the SNES community that are held in high regard and whom I simply have not interacted with yet or that I am still developing relationships with that will only continue to grow over time. The Heroes: - JAGNHL94 aka Grayto - One of the greatest SNES players of all time and whom I originally most looked up to in terms of skill level to strive for. Also, one of the most generous in terms of sharing tips and strategies to be mindful of while playing. Much of the top class play we see right now online is due to the bar he set in the early 2010s that we had to evolve to match. Great player and a great person who I hope returns at some point to push the boundaries of online play even further. - Xot82 - Like Grayto, another highly skilled player who helped set the bar in the early to mid 2010s for SNES online play. Also, the founder of the missed and now extinct snesot.com site that housed several notable SNES tournaments. His YouTube highlights and compilations were among the first major steps in trying to grow the online footprint of the SNES game and community beyond this site and word of mouth. Another great player and person who I hope might return eventually to continue his community contributions and push the boundaries of online skill level. - c4outlaws - Once dubbed "The General" for having the most SNES games played online. The first person I ever interacted with from this community and who helped me get everything set up to play others online in December 2010. If it wasn't for the great and friendly first interactions and games I had with him, I may have never stuck around here and I believe many others would say the same. Another well liked player who is missed and that we'd welcome back in a heartbeat. - Fenty62 - Some of my favorite and funniest memories playing online on SNES were with Fenty. I lost count over the years of the number of funny remarks he'd deliver after a crazy goal or a play he felt was "lopsided" against him that made me burst out laughing out loud. In reality, Fenty would make these remarks with a smile and in the interest of entertainment. Once you got to know and understand him, it was apparent that Fenty just wanted to have fun and a good time and that a lot of who he was was actually showmanship and him playing a character. No idea what he's up to nowadays but I hope he's well and that if he sees this that he knows how much I appreciate him for the amount of times he made me laugh and smile while playing. - cjgarnet - My first "sparing" partner and the person who I played the most exhibs with in my first few years online. He quickly developed into a strong player over several seasons and then quietly/suddenly left sometime in 2013. Another who I sadly lost touch with but who really helped me hone in on the recipe for success online and who I had many great games and talks with. More importantly though, a very genuine person who I consider a friend and who I hope is doing well today. - Pondhcky - One of the "constants" during the bulk of my original run in the SNES community. A friendly and good player who you knew would be there or wasn't far away if you were looking for games and a few laughs. Like c4outlaws, a model person to represent the community and it's openness to new players and faces and one who is still respected and appreciated many years later. - Annatar - A player who arrived on the scene midway through my original run from 2010-15 and who almost immediately changed the entire landscape of the league with his skill level and playing techniques. I never felt like I truly "solved" him which I believe is a testament to his world class abilities. I haven't looked in several years now but last I knew, he held the record for most SNES A Stanley Cup victories. Arguably the most decorated SNES online player of all time and a great person who we are thankful to still have in the community so many years later. - BobKudelski26 - One of the most long-standing players in the league and one who has always been very friendly and courteous to me and everyone else in the community. A beacon of knowledge, experience, and skill who has left his mark on SNES and continues to do so today. - NorthwayNative - A player who was around for a relatively short time but won an SNES A championship in 2013 and very quickly developed himself into a top player before his departure. Another who was always very friendly and personable to myself and others and who is missed and remembered fondly. - Shaftman - One of the representatives of the "old guard" of NHL 94 online. I haven't had many interactions and games with him but the few I've had over the years have been nothing but positive and friendly. It's always an honor to be able to have a link to the past and beginnings of the online scene and so I'm humbled and thankful for his presence and contributions here. - Halifax - The "bud" and face of NHL 94 online (in my humble opinion). His enthusiasm for the game has always been highly appreciated and remains so now. I can't say enough good words about the interactions and games we've had over the years and I believe practically everyone who has interacted with him feels the same way. - Schwartz - Another representative of the "old guard" who popped up again for a short while during my most active years. Yet another friendly person and skilled player who showed us the skill level of prior greats who came before us and more importantly, helped us to not take for granted the path & foundation they laid out before our arrival. - AngryJay93 - While most known for his participation and work on the GENS side of NHL 94, this list wouldn't be complete without his inclusion. A multi-time GENS A champion who is the top of the class and one of the few who successfully crossed over to SNES and won multiple championships here as well (including A). That level of success doesn't happen by accident and is a testament to his skill, studies, and knowledge that we have all benefited immensely from. It has been and always is an honor to interact with and play against him in any context. - Kingraph - Another player mostly known for his contributions to GENS but who has also participated in SNES and has always been a friendly face and "touchpoint" in community events, tournaments, etc... Crossover players from the different platforms are rare and so it's the folks like AJ and Kingraph who are wholeheartedly appreciated for giving us a common link and reminder that we're all here for the same reason and not as different as we may sometimes believe. - BoKnowsNHL94 - Yet another crossover player who enjoyed success on both platforms and also contributed a lot of the knowledge we have today on both sides of the NHL 94 fence. One of the first GENS folks who I ever interacted with and another person I enjoyed many great games with on SNES. I'm hopeful he may return at some point and that we can play again on SNES and maybe even expand our matchups over to GENS.

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-way force to the level of Lindros, Linden, Carson, etc, Gartner is capable of providing moderately effective defensive play and taking some hits from the opposition. Offensively, Gartner will spring loose for plenty of breakaways and can dash and dangle through defenses at an elite level. The only real knock on Gartner is his below average shot accuracy which does hamper his one timer and slapshot scoring prowess noticeably at times. However, the key to remember is that Gartner's skills and high ability in skating, shot power, and offensive awareness mean that he will create a lot of scoring chances in a variety of contexts. And with many scoring chances, the law of averages means that he is going to cash in on some of them and generate points no matter what. Ultimately, his abilities and overall high ratings make him the team's best choice at Center and a very adequate and fun player to use even despite his few shortcomings. Mark Messier is somewhat frustrating in SNES NHL 94. In real life, he was the #2 all time NHL scoring leader for many years and the only player in league history to captain two different franchises to Stanley Cup victories. On SNES, his above average speed and 220 lb. weight make him a strong defensive forward and an asset to the Rangers forecheck & defensive approach. On offense, he unfortunately has below average shot ratings and thus is not very adept at scoring on Slapshots and one timers. He's really only effective in deking situations and passing to his teammates and letting them take a heavier share of the offensive workload. Similar to Wayne Gretzky, it's unfortunate that a player of Messier's stature received a few questionable shot ratings that hold him back from being among the elite SNES forwards. For shortcomings, it is a similar story for Esa Tikkanen; although in this case, I can't say that the ratings themselves are wholly inaccurate to the portrayal of the real life player. Tikkanen simply does not have the shot ratings to make him a one timer or long distance shooting threat; he will mostly only chip in offensively with deke goals & assists. The strength in Tikkanen's game is his above average agility, high speed, strong checking, and size (212 lbs.) which makes him strong on the forecheck and on defense. Tikkanen was known for being a nightmare to play against in his career and I do believe this to be represented rather well on SNES... all that's missing is the famous chirps and 'Tikkanese' the man was known for in his heydey. On the bench, the Rangers have several decent options in players such as Darren Turcotte, Sergei Nemchinov, and Adam Graves. None of these players have crazy top end talents or will set the world on fire, but they all possess good stick handling and average to above average skating that will keep things moving for the Rangers and allow them to maintain a level of competitiveness. Notably, Nemchinov is probably the best option of the bunch due to decent shot accuracy and high defensive awareness though Turcotte does have the edge in terms of better speed, offensive awareness, and stickhandling. Graves has mostly average ratings across the board but is serviceable depending on coach's preference or if one of the other options is having trouble receiving passes. The only downside to utilizing any of these players, and why they are not outright recommended as starters, is the loss of a massive size/speed combo advantage brought forth by Messier & Tikkanen or the undeniable edge in straight ahead speed and shot power from Gartner. Defense Patrick-Leetch A very solid pairing that, much like the forwards, brings a diverse set of skills to the table and is very effective. Brian Leetch was known throughout his career for strong offensive acumen, solid puck movement, and a very high hockey IQ. These attributes are present in NHL 94 and help to make Leetch a reliable defenseman and one that is very user friendly for most players. Leetch is also one of only a few players in the game who has an agility rating of 100 which aids his turning on a dime and making quick cuts when navigating through traffic. Leetch also has a very strong stickhandling rating and is very reliable in the Rangers breakout & transition game. The only knocks on Leetch are that his speed is only above average at best as a baseline and he is only average sized at 188 lbs. This means that Leetch won't always be effective at slashing through the defense ala Housley, Coffey, Bourque, etc and also is not as physical as the many 200+ lb. defensemen that personify the prototypical D-Man in SNES. Nonetheless, I believe Leetch's strengths outweigh his weaknesses and if he comes into a game with speed boosts and is skating with zip, he can be very effective at starting the Rangers offensive attack. In contrast to Leetch, James Patrick falls into the more prototypical SNES D-Man role and is indeed popular among a decent amount of players. At 212 lbs., and with a strong checking rating, he is plenty physical in his own end and can withstand some checks during puck retrieval or when rushing the puck up ice. Patrick also possesses decent skating ratings which makes him an effective deking threat and additional option on the attack if the forwards are being shadowed closely. While Patrick does not have the same top end skills as the best D-Men in the game, he is a very effective #2 or even a decent #1 if a player chooses to take a different approach with the Rangers blueline... Should a different approach be called for, the best bench option for the Rangers is the quietly effective Kevin Lowe. While his overall rating and individual skills suggest only an average defenseman, Lowe does have serviceable skating, good stickhandling, and strong defensive awareness & checking ratings. Perhaps more importantly, Lowe weighs in at 204 lbs. and with his strong checking rating, brings a noticeable additional physicality to the Rangers blueline. When paired with the aforementioned 212 lb. Patrick, the Rangers have something closer to a shutdown pairing that some players may find more preferable depending on their style of play. In fact, classic league history shows this to be at least somewhat true as evidenced by Xot82's Fall 2010 SNES A Stanley Cup victory where he utilized the Patrick-Lowe pairing to his advantage to negate some physical disadvantages. The only other notable Defense option for the Rangers is the 196 lb. Sergei Zubov. Unfortunately NHL 94 was released a little before Zubov would reach his peak in the NHL and so his ratings are relatively average. While his defensive awareness is above average and his checking is passable, his skating is not top end and his average to below average stickhandling can pose some issues with receiving passes and keeping the Rangers attack moving along steadily. Use Zubov at your own risk and with the knowledge that he will mostly at best "tread water" in comparison to the aforementioned Top 3 Rangers D-men. Summary While the New York Rangers cast of players arguably leaves a little to be desired, the team has a lot of strong traits that nonetheless make them a fun and effective team to use. A plethora of different options at forward and defense gives coaches several different looks to choose from and ultimately makes the Rangers a uniquely versatile team. Some patience is required to learn how to use the Rangers and find a lineup that has the most synergy with each other and with the controlling coach. But if a balance and fit can be found, this is a team that can pile up a lot of goals while also frustrating, freezing, and locking out the opponent's offensive attack.

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 top end skill to compete against all comers and emerge victorious. Forwards Zhamnov-Selanne-Steen A pretty straightforward line with Teemu Selanne at Center and Alexei Zhamnov & Thomas Steen at either Wing depending on user preference. Selanne is one of the elite forwards in NHL 94 and the traits of him in his 1992-93 trailblazing 76 goal rookie campaign are captured in full force on the SNES. Whether it's slicing through defenses with elite speed and deking, making crisp passes to his teammates, or lighting the lamp with highly accurate One Timers, Slapshots, or swift breakaway moves, Winnipeg's offense simply begins and ends with Teemu Selanne. The only knock on Selanne is a lighter weight of 188 lbs that can limit his effectiveness in some situations against heavier players. However, his overall skills and abilities on the offensive side of things far outweigh any minor defensive negatives that may occasionally (moreover rarely) come up. Alexei Zhamnov (196 lbs) and Thomas Steen (204 lbs) both slot in as middleweights and contribute to the team in a more two-way capacity. Their weight allows them to withstand a little more abuse from opposing players and also make some crucial hits and checks to cause turnovers. However, neither player possesses elite speed or shot ratings that would make them the most ideal complimentary attackers to Selanne. In the end, both players are above average and can contribute positively for the Jets with adequate deking and passing, but neither will ever be mistaken for having game breaking abilities or the will to take over games singlehandedly like Selanne. The Jets bench options are somewhat limited but the best of these is easily Evgeny Davydov. Davy is consistently a faster skater than Zhamnov/Steen and pairs better with Selanne in terms of game pace and rushing the puck up the ice. Davydov's shot ratings are also above average which can make him a decent offensive option on the Wing. Where his weakness lies is in his weight and defensive ability. At 188 lbs and with only average defensive ratings, Davydov can give up more for the Jets defensively than he is able to contribute to the attack and this is a major argument in favor of leaving him as a bench option for injury situations or if Zhamnov/Steen have no zip or are bobbling passes. Davydov can also have his moments with fumbling passes due to only average stickhandling so use him at your own risk. Defense Numminen-Housley Another straightforward decision but only due to this being one of the better overall Defense pairings in the game and one that somewhat breaks the mold of what I typically look for. Teppo Numminen enjoyed a very long and solid NHL career and while he skates in the large shadow of Phil Housley with the Jets, he is a rock solid #2 D-Man for several reasons. At 196 lbs, Numminen may be mistaken by some as an undersized defender unable to handle some of the league's more hefty and bruising opposition. However, his strong defensive awareness and solid skating & puckhandling make him consistent on the breakout and the Jets overall transition game. In his own end, he is effective with his positioning and is physical enough, despite his weight, to make some timely hits, create turnovers, and restart the Jets attack at a moment's notice. I've lost count over the years of the number of times I've seen him make a well-timed check and cause a turnover that made a huge difference in a game. Not much can be said about Phil Housley that isn't already well known by the NHL 94 community. Housley also enjoyed a long NHL career but was much more known for his swift skating and reputation as a great offensive D-Man. His real-life abilities were represented very well in NHL 94 as he is fast, agile, and an overall dangerous player in the right hands. Housley is one of the few D-Men in the game where I believe that rushing the puck up ice with him can be an advantage in some situations. His ability to turn on a dime, move quickly, and deke and dangle at will can give fits to opposing defenses. Most importantly, his ability to draw attention can also make Selanne that much more dangerous at crucial points in the course of a game. His defensive awareness, while average, puts him in the right position often enough to not give up too much in his own end. But ultimately, his offensive contributions will almost always be enough to counteract anything he may give up to the opposition On the bench, Sergei Bautin and Fredrik Olausson are both solid options at defense and are generally reliable when they need to enter in PK or Injury situations. I've seen some coaches even start Olausson over Numminen which I believe is solid logic based on Olausson's heavier 212 lb frame and slightly higher physicality. Olausson has enough puck handling skills to maintain the Jets transition game but his somewhat decreased mobility can negatively affect his ability to skate the puck out of trouble situations compared to Numminen. Olausson also has only average defensive awareness and doesn't necessarily make enough crucial game changing plays in his own end in comparison to Numminen. This is ultimately why I would keep Freddy as a sub despite similar overall ratings and a heavier weight (which would normally sway my decision in favor of the heavier player). I think that speaks more to Numminen's ability though rather than Olausson's inability (for lack of a better term) and so I maintain that Olausson is a decent option and that there is a decent justification for inserting into the lineup depending on user preferences. Conclusion The Winnipeg Jets would eventually return to the NHL in 2011 but their NHL 94 counterpart brings back many great memories and vibes of the original team. And when you have elite stars such as Selanne & Housley, and solid contributors in Numminen, Zhamnov, and Steen, you have a recipe for a good team and one that can be a winner in the hands of a skilled coach. As stated before, Selanne and Housley are the stars of the show and their talents alone can make the Jets a force to be reckoned with. If it's any indication, any time I'd be playing online exhibition games over the years and would lose a few in a row or just feel like I was struggling, I'd generally revert back to the Jets when I felt I 'needed' a win or to re-establish a flow or comfort within the game. I believe that to be a positive measure of the Jets overall makeup and their ability to make a player feel mostly relaxed and free in practically all game situations.

Thanks buddy; I appreciate your feedback and your thoughts on the Kings lineup. While I've honestly never used Carson on his off wing, I remember Fenty using him in that manner to great effect in the past. Carson's shot ratings are so good that having him on his off wing absolutely makes him a very dangerous one timer threat off the rush. I think Gretzky on either wing can absolutely work but the only downside is his lighter 172 lb. weight that to me, nullifies some of the Kings physical advantage over other teams. Add to that, Gretzky's weaker shot ratings very much reduce the overall one timer threat that the team's Forwards can pose. However, Gretzky does have a certain mobility that his smaller size and good speed and agility ratings seem to give him over that of the other Forwards. He's definitely a good option for rushing the puck into the offensive zone and then trying to deke the goalie or pass off to his teammates. Sandstrom at Center is definitely a winning option in my mind. I used him at Center in SDL 2 for the Edmonton Oilers after I took the team over 9 games into the season as I didn't feel like there were any better options that the previous coach had drafted. Sandstrom's excellent shot, good skating, and 212 lb. weight made him very effective in the role and so I can absolutely see him being similarly effective at Center in the Kings starting lineup. That's what I love most about the LA Kings in this game: so many options and so many different Forward and Defense combos that can be created to suit practically any play style.

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 name the one defining trait of Geoff Courtnall’s game, I think the answer is relatively straight-forward: pure speed. It goes without saying that Courtnall’s presence on the ice will absolutely result in a healthy amount of breakaway chances for the Canucks. While he’s not necessarily a huge one timing threat due to relatively average shot ratings, Courtnall’s great speed/agility and 196 lb. weight simply make him an effective player on both sides of the ice and an essential part of the Canucks’ starting lineup even despite only being perhaps the team’s 3rd best Forward. Regardless of where he’s used, it’s hard to overstate just how much of a difference Trevor Linden makes to the Vancouver Canucks starting lineup. In fact, I’ll go out on a limb and state that Linden is arguably the best bench player in the entire game. In replacing Cliff Ronning, Linden’s 212 lb. weight adds much needed size and grit to a pretty light group of Forwards. In short, Linden’s size, combined with relatively good speed and agility ratings, makes him a very effective defensive forward and one that also can be used on the backcheck in rush situations. Even better, Linden’s good shot ratings make him a credible one timer threat and again, a strong upgrade over Ronning but also in the offensive zone. It’s always fun to remember Linden’s outstanding performance in the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals where he more than proved why he was deserving of the moniker “Captain Canuck”. It’s even more fun to recapture that same magic in using him as part of the Canucks lineup and letting him go off for some big games. In Pavel Bure, the Canucks possess a superstar Forward with excellent speed and agility and also good shot ratings. Whether it’s trying for breakaways, going 1 on 1 with defenders, or setting up for one timers, Bure simply adds that much more to the Canucks offense than what is already present with Courtnall and Linden. The only knock on Pavel Bure is that his 180 lb. weight will sometimes make him a target for the game’s larger forwards and defensemen. So while Bure can be used at Center, with sometimes very effective results, it’s probably best to keep him on the Wing where he can best use his speed to get by opposing defenders. Doing so also allows Trevor Linden to play a more physical game at Center and overall seems to help the Canucks offense flow a bit better in general. As mentioned previously, Cliff Ronning’s skills don’t quite match up to what is brought to the table by the Canucks three best Forwards. However, calling Ronning an ineffective bench option would be selling him short as he does possess great speed and agility ratings which make him an effective option for deking and rushing the puck into the offensive zone. The only thing holding Ronning back from being a more effective player and a starter in the Canucks lineup is being a target to the opposition at 180 lbs. and having mediocre shot ratings. Greg Adams represents the best of the Canucks remaining bench forwards as he weighs in at 196 lbs. and possesses good shot accuracy which can keep the Canucks dangerous in one timing situations. However, Adams can handicap the team in some instances due to mediocre speed and stick handling and so he is likely best reserved for spot duty in injury or maybe blowout situations. Defense Lidster-Lumme From here, things go somewhat downhill as we’re now faced with the Canucks biggest weakness in the form of mediocre Defensemen. It’s not that Doug Lidster and Jyrki Lumme are terrible by any means, but in comparison to the game’s best defensive pairs, the two Canucks starting Defensemen absolutely leave something to be desired. At 212 lbs., Lidster represents the more physical of the Canucks starting defenders, but lacks the skills necessary to be a real game changer due to very mediocre speed and agility ratings. Lumme, on the other hand, is the more mobile of the two Canucks starting Defensemen with a good agility rating, but lacks a higher speed rating that would make him a more coveted defender. Also, Lumme’s 196 lb. weight decreases his physical effectiveness against the game’s larger players and teams. The Canucks bench sees several similarly mediocre defensive options with the best of these coming in the form of Jiri Slegr and Gerald Diduck. Both players weigh in at 220 lbs. and can thereby bring some more physicality to the lineup. However, both players have similar average speed and agility ratings and thus do not improve the Canucks overall lack of speed on Defense. Worse yet, Slegr and Diduck’s average stick handling ratings could pose some problems for the Canucks transition and overall offensive game. In short, no matter if a coach decides to stick with the default Canucks Defensemen or make some substitutions, it’s probably best to expect at least something of an uphill battle in the defensive zone and know that it’s probably best to take a more conservative approach with usage of the team’s defenders. Summary A great group of Forwards with an average, at best, group of Defensemen puts the Vancouver Canucks at something of a middle tier in terms of best teams in SNES NHL 94. However, the team’s abundance of speed and skill on offense can certainly give opponents lots of trouble and be more than a match for even the most elite teams. While the Canucks defense is absolutely the team’s biggest question mark, overcoming, or at least working around this weakness can see coaches rack up a lot of victories in a manner similar to that of the team’s legendary real life 1994 counterpart.

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 94 to someone in real life who has never played, the usual reaction is, “oh Gretzky must have been absolutely dominant in that game!” Unfortunately enough, this exclamation, while understandable, is far from the truth. Though Wayne Gretzky by no means handicaps the Kings, the main argument for not deploying #99 in the starting lineup is due to his mere 172 lb. weight and weak shot ratings that don’t benefit the Kings offense at all. I find it to be a real shame that the greatest NHL player and goal scorer of all time got the shaft when it came to arguably the most important ratings, but I suppose that’s a rant in itself for another day. One thing that is true though about Wayne Gretzky is that he’s a great option off the bench to be used at either Wing in the event of an injury or if a coach simply wants to change the look and feel of the Kings offense. It goes without saying that there’s still plenty of plus skating, deking ability, strong positional play, and reliability to be had from #99 in the lineup and so you certainly can’t fault any coach who still wishes to use him depending on the situation. Luc Robitaille is one of only a handful of players in NHL 94 to possess 100 shot accuracy and this fact alone makes for a strong argument to put him at Center where he can unleash deadly accurate one timers and single-handedly take over a game. In fact, I can’t even say that I don’t recommend this as the results don’t lie, both in mine and other coaches past experiences. It’s also very helpful that #20 possesses good skating abilities which absolutely make him a deking threat in most situations. Simply put, whether Luc Robitaille is used at Wing or Center, he is going to make an impact on the scoresheet and is an integral part of the Kings offense. For Jimmy Carson, SNES NHL 94, amazingly, represents possibly the only time he would ever be considered as better than Wayne Gretzky in some capacity. As longtime hockey fans will remember in the infamous trade that originally sent Gretzky to the Kings in 1988, Carson was the centerpiece of the package that went back to the Edmonton Oilers. However, even despite being a multi-time 50 goal scorer and a very skilled player in his own right, it was quickly determined that he would never match up to the accomplishments of Gretzky and thus Carson was written off and ironically later returned to the Kings almost as an afterthought in the team’s Stanley Cup run in 1993. However, Carson is far from an afterthought on the SNES as he weighs in at a dense 212 lbs., is a pretty decent skater for a larger player, and possesses shot ratings practically equal to those of players such as Craig Simpson, Teemu Selanne, etc… It goes without saying that Carson is arguably the Kings best option at Center due to his plus shooting and skating, and his size and ability to both withstand and effectively lay down body checks. For the Kings, the offensive riches do not end at Robitaille and Carson as there is also Tomas Sandstrom in the mix. Sandstrom plays very similarly to Carson due to weighing in at 212 lbs. and possessing good skating abilities. Like Carson, Sandstrom is also blessed with excellent shot ratings that make him one of the strongest one timing threats in the game. I sometimes believe that the true luxury in having players like Carson and Sandstrom comes from the ability to play strong two way hockey as these two players have more than enough size and speed to impose their will on most of the other players in the game and then use their great offensive abilities to light the lamp in most situations. Perhaps an even greater luxury is that these two players, along with Robitaille, can be used almost interchangeably to give opponents many different looks and make shutting down the Kings offense a real chore. On the bench, the Kings have the likes of Tony Granato and steady Hall of Famer Jari Kurri. Granato, in particular, possesses an elusive 100 speed rating but at times is known to fumble passes which can become problematic. However, if Granato’s pass receiving is steady in a given game, his speed can absolutely make him a breakaway threat and add another layer to an already strong Kings offense. While Kurri does not possess the same top end talents as the aforementioned recommended starters, he is another great bench option who can contribute positively at both ends of the ice and will not handcuff the team much, if at all, when he’s used. Defense Blake-McSorley In consideration of Marty McSorley, I remember thinking when I was younger that he was too slow to be effective and was the weakest link in the Los Angeles Kings starting lineup. This, in turn, caused me to give a lot of starts to Alexei Zhitnik in my early days of playing online. Initially, Zhitnik appears to be the better option as he has the edge over McSorley in puck control and skating which can make a big difference in games where puck control and movement are of the utmost importance. However, where the difference between the two players becomes glaringly obvious is in weight and laying the lumber on the opposition. In short, McSorley’s weight of 236 lbs. versus 180 lbs. for Zhitnik, makes a massive difference in the way that both players will make contributions to the Kings lineup. Much like in real life, Marty’s ability to destroy and dominate opposing players and change the flow of a game with a huge hit cannot be understated and gives the Kings a true physical edge over most teams when combined with the overall size of the team’s top Forwards. While I personally give McSorley the nod over Zhitnik, I don’t think a coach can be faulted for choosing increased mobility depending on play styles and preferences. While it’s true that Zhitnik is more susceptible to a big hit and won’t be unleashing as many of his own, players who prefer the ability to deke and rush with a Defenseman cannot be criticized for starting him over McSorley. For the 2nd Defenseman, the choice is much easier. Rob Blake weighs in at 228 lbs. and possesses plenty of puck control and skating ability to make him among the most solid and steady Defensemen in the game. Whether it’s rushing the puck up the ice, strong and sound positional play, or imposing his own will over opposing players, Blake is absolutely the best Kings Defenseman and one that is hard to justify taking out of the lineup. For bench Defensemen, the Kings have other options in Darryl Sydor and Charlie Huddy, both of whom were longtime NHL Defensemen and enjoyed solid careers. While it will generally be rare to see either player used in injury situations, both will occasionally need to enter the game in Penalty Kill situations. Though neither player will light the world on fire with high end skill, crazy offensive rushes, or game changing contributions, both Defensemen can be relied upon to play a steady game until one of the Kings top defenders is ready to return from the penalty box. Summary Size, speed, strength, aggression, physicality, puck movement, great shooting ability… the Los Angeles Kings literally have it all in SNES NHL 94. Perhaps the only issue with the team is knowing which players to use in which positions. However, I would say this is a great problem to have as the ability to make changes on the fly and customize the team’s lineup based on preferences and/or gut feelings makes the Kings one of best teams in the game and one that is practically always a threat to win in the hands of a skilled coach.

Loving this thread! Surprised about no mention of Sandis Ozolinsh for San Jose. Certainly better than Wilkinson and while not an all-star by any means, he can skate somewhat decently and doesn't fumble passes too overly often. I figure that has to count for something on a team as rough as San Jose. My experience with Brown and Butcher for St. Louis has always a bit different though in terms of speed. I've never felt like either skater was too slow to be effective and truthfully, I've always considered Brown's speed to be above average..I don't know his speed rating by memory though so I may be surprised when I actually pull it up. Admittedly, St. Louis is a team I haven't used as much over the years and my play style is more based on possession and passing, so maybe by default, I don't notice differences in speed as much as other players would.

Brilliant goals Jeff! Here's a few of mine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyvA1J6lU88 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udMZG7_1Jh0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0k7XoIrvd4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22SA2G2fEGI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajKA_1BPaOo

Sums up my thoughts exactly. A 220 lb player is never always guaranteed to bring down a 180 lb player in real life nor is it always guaranteed that the smaller player should always be unable to knock down a larger player judging by weight or checking ability alone. There are too many factors at work that I think the variance in stats and performance cover as closely as possible. Ex: Think about Doug Gilmour. He wasn't called "Killer" for nothing. One of the smaller forwards in the NHL, yet was nasty and took down players bigger than him on various occasions....

Cullen takes #12 and Sakic keeps #19.