It's simple. NHL 2k9 is not for the casual fan. It's hard, in depth and I have never switched over from the point of 2k2
While EA plays better out of the box, there is so much in 2k9 everyone is missing. The difference between 2k and 09 is EA feeds you like a baby. 2k on the other hand ultimately leaves it up to you to make or break the game via sliders. I understand 09 has sliders but honestly when I move most of them they do not seem to effect the game in a noticeable way. Think of EA as the Microsoft of hockey, where as 2k is the linux or hockey, a source by which you have to create your game and how you want to play it.
I have been hearing NHL 09 is getting repetitive so if you want to play a hockey that is different every time check out http://www.2khockey.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=19347 and play with these sliders. Rent it, play it, then own it.