Yeah I guess you're right about that.
Poke check on the stick is pretty awkward after playing NHL 09 so much this year, but I don't think it's necessarily a bad idea.
The one thing I don't like is the speed boost. If I'm skating in a straight line, holding the stick all the way forward, why wouldn't I want to be going my fastest? It presents the illusion of choice, but really, you're going to use it every rush down the ice, and every time you're trying to get back on the back check. There's really no other time to use it, and it seems like it's always up when you need it in those situations. Just another button to press. Don't want!