...I mean, on one hand they are trying to make it more realistic so the puke doesn't "glue" to your stick, but again it's also extremely hard to move more than a few feet with the puck in your possession.

Maybe I'm just used to NHL 12.

Thoughts?

it definitely makes people pay for trying to deke with the puck near the blue line, which I enjoy

I like it a lot more. Easier to the puck off the players stick. And so far I haven't received one tripping penalty. That drove me nuts in 12. I'd clearly get the puck and than he'd lose his balance and I'd get a penalty.