As someone who isnt a GM or part of the sim team, just curious if the main reasons for scaling back are to help sim team and also reduce sim errors? Coordinating steamers, times, goalie changes, etc all while dealing with FHM wonkiness and real life is a tough task that I dont think really shines through to us casuals. If this helps the sim team stay consistent and reduce errors, I think it's a good move.

I'll echo what a lot of others have said that I just want to watch my team. Playoffs are an exception. I also have to say that I dont ever really "see" my player in the live sim, unless it's on the goal notification. That's basically already the same as being surprised at seeing it in a box score. The joy of the live sim is experiencing the lead changes, and maybe shootouts too.

I think one thing everyone who desires commentated live sims needs to consider is working on their own skills at commentating. If that's what you want to see in the league, start a once a week podcast to hone those skills. The larger the roster of users willing to comment ate, the better the product and more likely we are to realize it. Plus that will give everyone a little something extra to engage with in place of a live sim. Also, money. It would be very cool to know different nights are when different podcasts would be released, like Sportscenter vs Hockey Night in Canada vs TNT