 The game did not boast great improvements to the game from "NHL 99", nor did "NHL 2001" feature any idea the two previous versions didn't until "NHL 2002".A season mode (later developed into a Franchise mode) with a retirement feature, drafting, and player trades were added to the series in this game, as well as the ability to use any photo for created players' faces, which is textured onto the head.Similar gameplay was used in this version, as well as the previous version, "NHL 99".