NHL94 2025 ROM by The Sauce

[Sauce]

10 minutes ago, Toe-Knee said:

Mu opinion but Hutson deserves it more because without him the Canadiens wouldn't have even made it close to the playoffs. He also broke records this season.

You make a fair argument but I'll play devil's advocate...

Montreal squeaked into the Playoffs with 91 points.  Had Carolina not tanked in the clinching game by sitting most of their starters, Columbus gets in over Montreal.  Calgary finished with 96 points in a much harder Western Conference.  No doubt, Hutson was VERY good this year.  But, I'm not sure he did enough to win the trophy as I think it will be a close race.  Wolf won 29 games in a season in which he did not start as the number 1.  A rookie goalie with near 30 wins, a top 10 save % and a GAA below 2.75, isn't as common these days.  Montreal also had more offense per game (and overall) then Calgary.  So, support can be factored in as well. 

Huston did have impressive numbers this year... 66 points of which 60 were assists in 82 games.  He also had a respectable +/- even though he isn't used in defensive situations.  By comparison, Cale Makar had 50 points in 57 games as a rookie (12 which were goals) when he won the trophy.  Moritz Seider had 50 points in 82 games as a rookie, when he won the award, but averaged more ice time as the team's #1 that season.  He also averaged nearly 2 minutes per games on the penalty kill vs Huston averaging 13 seconds per game. The NHL hasn't had a goalie win the trophy since 09-10 when Steve Mason won it.  So, this may be another reason for consideration.   A change of pace if you will...

But, having said this POV, let's face it, the NHL is often predictable.  In the last 10 years, only 3 defensemen won this award.  Last year, you could easily argue that Brock Faber deserved it over Conor Bedard and the award was "gifted" as a marketing tool to promote a future face of the league player.  Debatable but fair.  That said...Celebrini will probably win this year..  LOL
 

[Flame4Life]

16 hours ago, Sauce said:

You make a fair argument but I'll play devil's advocate...

Montreal squeaked into the Playoffs with 91 points.  Had Carolina not tanked in the clinching game by sitting most of their starters, Columbus gets in over Montreal.  Calgary finished with 96 points in a much harder Western Conference.  No doubt, Hutson was VERY good this year.  But, I'm not sure he did enough to win the trophy as I think it will be a close race.  Wolf won 29 games in a season in which he did not start as the number 1.  A rookie goalie with near 30 wins, a top 10 save % and a GAA below 2.75, isn't as common these days.  Montreal also had more offense per game (and overall) then Calgary.  So, support can be factored in as well. 

Huston did have impressive numbers this year... 66 points of which 60 were assists in 82 games.  He also had a respectable +/- even though he isn't used in defensive situations.  By comparison, Cale Makar had 50 points in 57 games as a rookie (12 which were goals) when he won the trophy.  Moritz Seider had 50 points in 82 games as a rookie, when he won the award, but averaged more ice time as the team's #1 that season.  He also averaged nearly 2 minutes per games on the penalty kill vs Huston averaging 13 seconds per game. The NHL hasn't had a goalie win the trophy since 09-10 when Steve Mason won it.  So, this may be another reason for consideration.   A change of pace if you will...

But, having said this POV, let's face it, the NHL is often predictable.  In the last 10 years, only 3 defensemen won this award.  Last year, you could easily argue that Brock Faber deserved it over Conor Bedard and the award was "gifted" as a marketing tool to promote a future face of the league player.  Debatable but fair.  That said...Celebrini will probably win this year..  LOL
 

Jumping on the Wolf for Calder bandwagon!   The Flames don’t have many award winners so let’s go!

 

Edited May 1, 2025 by Flame4Life

[Ron Swanson]

Don’t know if this is a tall ask or if you’re done posting but is it possible to get a version of your rom with Landeskog and E.Kane?  They both returned for the playoffs so if possible, it would be cool to have them.  Thanks!

[Sauce]

2 hours ago, Ron Swanson said:

Don’t know if this is a tall ask or if you’re done posting but is it possible to get a version of your rom with Landeskog and E.Kane?  They both returned for the playoffs so if possible, it would be cool to have them.  Thanks!

Hi!  Yes, I can add them and post a new, final version.  Adding two players isn't a big request so no worries.  It probably won't happen 'til this weekend or early next week due to some other commitments.

[waynehigh]

just played the new playoff version, awesome! did i hear "you say its your birthday?" during the game?

[Sauce]

15 minutes ago, waynehigh said:

just played the new playoff version, awesome! did i hear "you say its your birthday?" during the game?

Thank you, @waynehigh!  Good ear... that is one of the tunes in the game.

[BurntBiscuit94]

4 hours ago, Sauce said:

Hi!  Yes, I can add them and post a new, final version.  Adding two players isn't a big request so no worries.  It probably won't happen 'til this weekend or early next week due to some other commitments.

Yes… this!  Thank you Sauce!  I was gonna ask about Landy but wasn’t sure if you were done and didn’t want to be “that guy” about it.  Looking forward to when you post it!

[waynehigh]

8 hours ago, Sauce said:

Thank you, @waynehigh!  Good ear... that is one of the tunes in the game.

youre welcome, ill have to see if I recognize any other tunes

[Sauce]

16 hours ago, BurntBiscuit94 said:

Yes… this!  Thank you Sauce!  I was gonna ask about Landy but wasn’t sure if you were done and didn’t want to be “that guy” about it.  Looking forward to when you post it!

No harm in asking... this is a reasonable request so all good.

[Sauce]

7 hours ago, waynehigh said:

youre welcome, ill have to see if I recognize any other tunes

I'm sure you will...there are some pretty recognizable ones.

[Lilmanhockey1]

Hi!  I created an account to say that I really enjoy your rom.  My dad introduced me to this game and TecmoBowl as I wasn’t born when those games came out.  I’m checking out different posts here but wanted to tell you that we’re having fun playing yours so thanks!

[Flame4Life]

2 hours ago, Lilmanhockey1 said:

Hi!  I created an account to say that I really enjoy your rom.  My dad introduced me to this game and TecmoBowl as I wasn’t born when those games came out.  I’m checking out different posts here but wanted to tell you that we’re having fun playing yours so thanks!

That’s awesome to hear about the different generations enjoying the game!  Hoping to get my son into it as well as some other classic games.

[Sauce]

4 hours ago, Lilmanhockey1 said:

Hi!  I created an account to say that I really enjoy your rom.  My dad introduced me to this game and TecmoBowl as I wasn’t born when those games came out.  I’m checking out different posts here but wanted to tell you that we’re having fun playing yours so thanks!

Thank you!  Cool to hear that a younger generation is getting into the game.  I remember playing it when it first came out and it strengthened my love for the NHL.

There are a lot of cool roms to check on this site.  If you are interested in NHL history, I strongly recommend checking the works of @CoachMac.  He's done a lot of great historical season roms.  

I also highly recommend checking out the CHL and USHL roms done by @Jkline3.  He's very knowledgeable in both and it shows.  I hope he picks them up again as it is different/unique.  His work also shows off leagues that are not NHL but have future prospects within the NHL.

Last, but not least, if you're into college hockey, which has a lot of future NHLers, check out the work by @Sean.  He's got some cool NCAA stuff.

Again, there is a lot of cool stuff here so happy hunting/downloading!  

Edited May 2, 2025 by Sauce

[Sauce]

21 hours ago, waynehigh said:

just played the new playoff version, awesome! did i hear "you say its your birthday?" during the game?

Just to give you a heads up, there will be a newer new playoffs version within the next couple of days.  Got some requests for an update that will have 100% more Gabriel Landeskog and Evander Kane.    Finishing a work project and getting a new laptop this weekend, hence, the hold up.

If you could care less about those two, then disregard...  

 

Edited May 2, 2025 by Sauce

[Lilmanhockey1]

11 hours ago, Sauce said:

Thank you!  Cool to hear that a younger generation is getting into the game.  I remember playing it when it first came out and it strengthened my love for the NHL.

There are a lot of cool roms to check on this site.  If you are interested in NHL history, I strongly recommend checking the works of @CoachMac.  He's done a lot of great historical season roms.  

I also highly recommend checking out the CHL and USHL roms done by @Jkline3.  He's very knowledgeable in both and it shows.  I hope he picks them up again as it is different/unique.  His work also shows off leagues that are not NHL but have future prospects within the NHL.

Last, but not least, if you're into college hockey, which has a lot of future NHLers, check out the work by @Sean.  He's got some cool NCAA stuff.

Again, there is a lot of cool stuff here so happy hunting/downloading!  

Thanks!   Even checking out many of the  posts and there is some really cool stuff on this site!  

[BurntBiscuit94]

On 5/2/2025 at 6:53 AM, Sauce said:

No harm in asking... this is a reasonable request so all good.

Cool!  In the updated version, are you updating any team or player ratings based on playoff performance or keeping them “as is”?

[loki94]

On 5/1/2025 at 10:09 AM, Sauce said:

Hi!  Yes, I can add them and post a new, final version.  Adding two players isn't a big request so no worries.  It probably won't happen 'til this weekend or early next week due to some other commitments.

Awesome news!  Looking forward to it!

[loki94]

Have you considered doing a version with third jerseys?  I imagine there’s some work involved but don’t know the amount.  Not a big deal.  Just curious.

[Sauce]

12 hours ago, BurntBiscuit94 said:

Cool!  In the updated version, are you updating any team or player ratings based on playoff performance or keeping them “as is”?

As is.  I like to keep the players rated as they were when the season ended and they head into the playoffs.

Edited May 3, 2025 by Sauce

[Sauce]

4 hours ago, loki94 said:

Have you considered doing a version with third jerseys?  I imagine there’s some work involved but don’t know the amount.  Not a big deal.  Just curious.

Yes, once upon a time I considered it but decided not to and it has been done before.  It's somewhat involved in that you have to change the uniform colors and the center ice logos (which will pull from the jersey colors) to match the 3rd jersey design concepts.  To be honest, it's not enough of a motivation for me.  My next 2025 rom post will be the final one and will stick with the normal uniform colors and logos.

[GannErik]

Hi,

Thank you for your release. I enjoy it very much. I was wondering if an expansion does occur in the NHL like 2 more teams, will it be possible to add them to the game ?

Regards.

[Sauce]

40 minutes ago, GannErik said:

Hi,

Thank you for your release. I enjoy it very much. I was wondering if an expansion does occur in the NHL like 2 more teams, will it be possible to add them to the game ?

Regards.

Hi @GannErik!  Thank you for your kind words and support of the rom.  As well as, your support of some of my previous season roms.  Much appreciated!

King Raph was able to expand the NHL95 rom to be 34 teams so perhaps it could be possible for NHL94.  I don't know for sure as I lack that particular technical acumen.  And, I believe that NHL95 has more space to work with for adding more teams.  Keep in mind, the NHL94 rom may be a "full cup" at this point as it was once expanded from 28 to 30 teams by wboy.  Later, it was expanded to 32 teams by Slapshot67.  That's the version you are now familiar with using.  While there may be a possibility for expanding it for two more teams, with some fancy moving around of stuff, it is also possible it has hit its limit.  However, it would not surprise me if someone, eventually, takes a stab at it should the NHL expand to 34 teams.  

Edited May 4, 2025 by Sauce

[Imitationcheese]

Love this rom!  Great job!  Been playing playoffs mode and having a great time!  I discovered your work when you did the Game of Thrones rom.  A friend of mine turned me onto it.  From there, I discovered some of your other stuff.  To this day, I still play your NHL94 2021 rom.  Thanks for all you have done and do!

[Sauce]

1 hour ago, Imitationcheese said:

Love this rom!  Great job!  Been playing playoffs mode and having a great time!  I discovered your work when you did the Game of Thrones rom.  A friend of mine turned me onto it.  From there, I discovered some of your other stuff.  To this day, I still play your NHL94 2021 rom.  Thanks for all you have done and do!

Thank you!  I kinda forgot about the GoT rom.  I haven't played it in a very long time.  It was such a goofy concept but some folks liked it (much to my surprise).

Glad to hear you are enjoying the most recent season rom as well as the 2021 version.  I'm sorry for the delay in getting a final 2025 version out.  That whole thing about "mice and men."  I don't want to broadcast any promises that I can't keep so I'll leave it as ... "as soon as possible."  Hoping to work on it today.  Thank you to @BurntBiscuit94 for their patience! 

 

[BurntBiscuit94]

3 hours ago, Sauce said:

Thank you to @BurntBiscuit94 for their patience! 

 

No worries!

[Imitationcheese]

4 hours ago, Sauce said:

Thank you!  I kinda forgot about the GoT rom.  I haven't played it in a very long time.  It was such a goofy concept but some folks liked it (much to my surprise).

Glad to hear you are enjoying the most recent season rom as well as the 2021 version.  I'm sorry for the delay in getting a final 2025 version out.  That whole thing about "mice and men."  I don't want to broadcast any promises that I can't keep so I'll leave it as ... "as soon as possible."  Hoping to work on it today.  Thank you to @BurntBiscuit94 for their patience! 

 

Thanks for the reply and the update!  I look forward to when you post the new file!

[Sauce]

Ok...without further delay... I have posted the updated Playoffs versions for the UHC and Mammoth roms that now include Gabriel Landeskog on the Avs and Evander Kane on the Oilers.  I also made some other updates/changes to make it worth while.

For more details on the ROMs, please see the original post.  Make sure, if you are interested in downloading the ROM(s), to download one noted as "Playoffs Version."  As there are multiple playoff roms, that I posted, I noted which ones include Landeskog and Kane and which don't.

Unless there is a notable mistake or issue that can be easily fixed, these will serve as the final posts.  Thank you to anyone who downloaded them and/or stopped by to share some thoughts.

[BurntBiscuit94]

Awesome!  Simply awesome!  You spoiled us with all of your rom versions this season!  Thank you so much!!!

[Sauce]

40 minutes ago, BurntBiscuit94 said:

Awesome!  Simply awesome!  You spoiled us with all of your rom versions this season!  Thank you so much!!!

You're welcome!  Sorry for the delay...hope you enjoy it!

[Imitationcheese]

Thanks for the updated playoffs version!  

Forgot to mention, nice touch doing a Utah Yeti and Utah Mammoth version in addition to the UHC one.  Follows the rumored/leaked names and makes it more fun!  Utah Hockey Club is a bad name.  Sounds like a European soccer club.  Glad they are changing the name!