Big-Bobby Clobber

"Probably Dimitir Evtuh. The way (he) could move around and put the puck in the net was amazing. I want to score goals like him."
 
A young Yan Yurevich, speaking through a translator, gave that response when asked who he idolized while growing up in Belarus. The budding forward missed his first year of action with the CAHL North Sydney Silent Pirates, but he continued to stay optimistic and looked forward to make an impact in his second year. He was happy to have another opportunity to play after going undrafted. The few scouts that looked his way noted his impressive physique, but felt he didn't have great hands and that he was too slow to make it in the pros, even at the LIHL level. They were about to be proven wrong.
 
 
LIHL
 
 
Yurevich finished his second year with North Sydney, tallying 6 goals and 13 assists in 50 games, but only managing to have 11 minutes of ice time per game. When asked if he was disappointed with that fact, Yan replied, "A little, yeah. I want the chance to prove myself like everyone else does. The team always comes first, but I feel like I can do more to help."
 
With Yan's contract expiring, it was unknown whether or not he'd get another opportunity. Until...
 
The Michigan Center Fury had just come off of a 14th place finish in the LIHL, after relocating from the San Antonito Black Bears. "We were just looking for some new blood, something to put a spark back in this team", the GM said, addressing the need to add younger talent to an aging roster. There must have been something about Yurevich that caught the attention of the newly-appointed GM, because the first off-season move he attempted was to sign the young power forward. Without hesitation, Yurevich accepted. "I can't believe it, I've loved hockey my whole life, and now I can continue to live my dream". The contract was a two-year deal, so while there was some job security, the message was clear: this is your shot, now go out there and prove it.
 
 
Years One and Two
 
 
Yurevich's first year in the LIHL proved to be not what he'd hoped, scoring 5 goals and 19 points in an injury-shortened 46 games, all while only logging 9 minutes per game. "We wanted to get his feet wet, I know he was unhappy with the approach, but we had to ease him in while working out some other aspects of this game", the Fury GM said of his rookie's performance. While the Fury improved and made it into the playoffs, they failed to promote. Yurevich was a non-factor, registering zero points in three games and only averaging 6 minutes of ice time.
Yurevich, visibly upset with the way the season went and the lack of ice time, responded by saying, "If they're only going to play me on the 3rd and 4th lines, I guess I'll just have to be the best *expletive* 3rd liner there is".
 
The Fury had another productive off-season, acquiring Gabryel Nolasco from the Minnedosa Musketeers for a 1st round pick, adding a much-needed 1st-line center. With Yurevich's commitment to a more defensive style, he was given a chance on the 3rd line with roommate James Dunkelberger. "Dunks is a good guy. He's helping me with English but his Belarusian needs a lot of work", Yurevich chuckled. "Yan talks a lot of crap", Dunkelberger joked after a game. "We're always competing because we're on separate penalty kill lines. He always tells me 'I got this' before we go out there on the PK, and most of the times he's right".
 
He was right.
 
The Fury finished the season with a record 158 points, clinching an IHL berth. Yurevich played in all 60 games, scoring 15 goals and 38 points, with a +34 on the season. The question was: Had Yurevich done enough to earn a new contract?
 
 
 
To be continued...

Not a bad idea but imo it would be nice to have a second round also determined by standings, like the highest placed team faces the lowest placed team. That way, if 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th win, 1st will take on 7th and 5th will take 6th. I think it would be more representative of the work done in the season to be among the top 4 teams.

Currently in the GHL, the playoff structure looks like:
 
Series A: Rank 1 vs Rank 8
Series B: Rank 2 vs Rank 7
Series C: Rank 3 vs Rank 6
Series D: Rank 4 vs Rank 5
 
Series E: Winner A vs Winner B
Series F: Winner C vs Winner D
 
Final: Winner E vs Winner F
 
The current path ensures that there will never be the top 2 teams fighting it out in the finals. It also makes it so that the teams rank 4th and 5th have the highest chance at getting the easiest path to the cup. And since the 5th place team is also entered into a better playoff lottery compared to the top 4 teams, it makes it the ideal position from a purely playoffs and potential future success standpoint. My suggestion is to simply change the following series:
 
 
Series E: Winner A vs Winner D
Series F: Winner C vs Winner B

Good idea Exxeo.
 
   Perhaps there should be some restrictions, to prevent new managers from trading-away the future?
Example: Only after managing the same team for 4 seasons, would the manager be able to trade-away their 2-year-out future picks; and perhaps an 8-year manager, could trade away the 3-year-out picks?
-
   The worry is that some managers in desperate situations, will give the house away. 

Good idea Exxeo.
 
   Perhaps there should be some restrictions, to prevent new managers from trading-away the future?
Example: Only after managing the same team for 4 seasons, would the manager be able to trade-away their 2-year-out future picks; and perhaps an 8-year manager, could trade away the 3-year-out picks?
-
   The worry is that some managers in desperate situations, will give the house away. 

Good idea Exxeo.
 
   Perhaps there should be some restrictions, to prevent new managers from trading-away the future?
Example: Only after managing the same team for 4 seasons, would the manager be able to trade-away their 2-year-out future picks; and perhaps an 8-year manager, could trade away the 3-year-out picks?
-
   The worry is that some managers in desperate situations, will give the house away. 

I wanted to wait until a few things got worked out with the trade system but now that CPU trades are more stringent I think this may be a good time to suggest it. I like the idea of being able to offer up two seasons worth of draft picks. I think that opens the floor up for a lot of different trade options and could make manager interactions more in depth. For instance; player loans would be easier to negotiate having the option to offer up a next season 3rd round pick etc. Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks for the report. I'll check that out.

Bug found and fixed. UAT back up.

Hi everyone,
 
I was looking for a challenge and took over the Valkyries to see if I could break the curse. I did and would appreciate if no one take over the new team (Coza Del whatever,1st in SHL). Thanks.
 
Nicolas Senet

Sorry, must have missed that this was an issue. So no, it's not included. Is this problem reported in the bug section?
 
 
That's not a bad idea. Thanks.
 
I will try to recreate your scenario to see if there is a bug.

I'm sure it is already common knowledge that teams get a boost when playing at home.  I decided to do some quick research into how much of an advantage the home crowd gives their team. I know there are many variables that could affect this such as injuries, starting goalies, etc - but my results seemed directionally consistent.
 
First, I took a look at home winning percentages for all GHL, SHL & BHL teams.  For the purpose of a percentage, I considered OT/SO win a win and OT/SO loss a loss.  The average home record and win percentages are below.
 
GHL:  11 - 2 - 2 - 8 = 56%
SHL:  12 - 2 - 1 - 7 = 63%
BHL:  12 - 1 - 1 - 9 = 56%
 
Second, I took a look at my own team's history to determine how my home record compared to my overall record.  For example, my Win % this year is 80%.  My home Win & is 83%.  An advantage of 3%.  Last year, my Win % was 72% and my home Win % was 83%.  An advantage of 11%.  When averaged out from Season 1 - 11, my average home ice advantage was 6%.  This falls in line with the GHL/BHL results above where home ice seems to add a 6% advantage.  SHL seems to be the outlier.
 
Finally, I tallied all goals scored in BHL this year (I did BHL since that's the league I'm in).  On average, the home team is scoring 3.8 goals per game, while the visiting team is scoring 3.3 goals per game.  The home team is scoring 53% of the goals.  I did the same for GHL and the results were 2.66 Home for 2.27 Away.  The home team is scoring 54% of the goals.  These numbers seem a bit lower than the first two sets of results. 
 
For now, until I have a chance to do more research and understanding that there are many variables that could sway these numbers, I will conclude that the home team gains a roughly 5% advantage.
 

I want to see the Valks stick with it! You can make the GHL. I have faith. I was really rooting for you last season. We both came up through the SHL at about the same time, I just managed to auto promote, so I've always considered you like a sister team haha.
 
Best of luck!

I've kept track of your team for a while now, and you guys are actually cursed. Another team that's cursed is the Medicine Hat Assassins, they cant win a championship if their franchise depended on it. A few 1-0 leads in the championship, just to lose in 3 games. I wish them luck in the future, as I really respect their manager.

Ladies and germs, and most specifically,
 all of the GHL managers who were boasting how great they are in these forums a few months ago. 
 
    We will be abandoning our Cursed franchise: Culdesac Valkyries (SHL).
After 21 years of failure to promote from the SHL to GHL; we give up. 
 
    Muscled-out of 2nd place with 2 games left, by a franchise with 9 lvl90+ players, 
then drop-kicked in the playoffs by a team with lvl 78 and 80 centres,low yellow team winner-instinct, 
and their best two D-men injured.  Oh you say: just a stroke of bad luck. Wrong.  
It's been similar uncanny, unbelievable bad luck for 21 frigging seasons.  
Including another one after being in 2nd all season, losing game 60 to the 16th place team to fall into 3rd, then again bounced by the 6th place team in the playoffs.  
Also multiple other playoff debacles, untimely injuries, monkeys in the dressing-room, you name it.  
 
    So: we give-up.  We will abandon the team, and try to get the 16th place team in the LIHL to start-over again. 
 Here is your challenge: take-over this Cursed franchise, and prove without any doubt, 
and for all to behold, that you are indeed the best GPHM manager in all of Lumber. 
You will have to abandon your GHL team, and no: we don't want it.
 
Send us an in-game message, to express your interest, or ask any questions.

Lol, you've been so close so many times! Although I doubt you will get the 16th place LIHL team. The manager designed the team to get 0 points probably to raise a team from "nothing". The Uniontown Wolves (15th place) is currently available. Good luck with your new endeavor!

Ladies and germs, and most specifically,
 all of the GHL managers who were boasting how great they are in these forums a few months ago. 
 
    We will be abandoning our Cursed franchise: Culdesac Valkyries (SHL).
After 21 years of failure to promote from the SHL to GHL; we give up. 
 
    Muscled-out of 2nd place with 2 games left, by a franchise with 9 lvl90+ players, 
then drop-kicked in the playoffs by a team with lvl 78 and 80 centres,low yellow team winner-instinct, 
and their best two D-men injured.  Oh you say: just a stroke of bad luck. Wrong.  
It's been similar uncanny, unbelievable bad luck for 21 frigging seasons.  
Including another one after being in 2nd all season, losing game 60 to the 16th place team to fall into 3rd, then again bounced by the 6th place team in the playoffs.  
Also multiple other playoff debacles, untimely injuries, monkeys in the dressing-room, you name it.  
 
    So: we give-up.  We will abandon the team, and try to get the 16th place team in the LIHL to start-over again. 
 Here is your challenge: take-over this Cursed franchise, and prove without any doubt, 
and for all to behold, that you are indeed the best GPHM manager in all of Lumber. 
You will have to abandon your GHL team, and no: we don't want it.
 
Send us an in-game message, to express your interest, or ask any questions.

Greetings. 
  
    GW Howitzer, BHL: Well, it's day 65, season is drawing to an end.   On any kind of professional team, the GM would already have solid plans for the next season's lineup.
 
   We have 13 active lineup players on the last year of their contract, and only 2 are willing to negotiate a new contract.
So we have 11 players in our current lineup, whom will not negotiate, only saying: "I'm happy with my current contract".  
  As you all know: this could lead to an utter disaster for next season.  The problem is less severe in the GHL, as at least the player won't price himself off of the team, unless he's not a real keeper. If he's a real keeper, then the GM will sign him, and work the cap around that new salary.
But in the lower leagues: it's more difficult to plan and balance. 
 
   It's good not to just complain, but better to try and come-up with solutions along with the complaint. 
So how about a contract deadline day, by which the player must let management know his intentions. (EX: is he willing to negotiate, how much salary he wants, no chance, whatever.  Just let us know, or we'll cut-off the "extra benefits", from Irma, the team's masseuse. 
 
  How about day 37?  At the very latest: day 57.
 
Cheers, and hope you are all enjoying this cool game. 

Yeah I'm in the lihl and no one wants to negotiate it's pretty irritating

I suppose its sort of like RL players not wanting to get distracted with contract negotiations during the season/playoffs. Our "season" is set up differently though, so the suggestions definitely make sense.
 
I really like the idea of the player hinting at his intended stance even before the 37/57 deadline as well! Stuff like this would make the game more realistic and add to the complexity of the game. In reality, every player would have his own way of negotiating.

If I'm understanding correctly, the player's contract negotiation message will change after 37/57 days? I like it.
 
Just to add stuff, I've got some suggestions for the wording.
 
For a player that would have confirmed interest: "I'm quite pleased with the team, I hope that we can talk about an extension in the future!"
For might interest: "The team seems to be trending upwards, I'll have to think a little more before deciding whether I would like to talk about an extension."
For no interest: "I've enjoyed my time here, but unfortunately I think it will be time for me to part ways with this team."
 
edit: Could someone just let me know if frustrated players have their own reasons why they don't want to rejoin a team. I haven't had to deal with that yet, but I think it would be cool if they did.

I know I get tired of getting that too
I like the suggestion though.

Greetings. 
  
    GW Howitzer, BHL: Well, it's day 65, season is drawing to an end.   On any kind of professional team, the GM would already have solid plans for the next season's lineup.
 
   We have 13 active lineup players on the last year of their contract, and only 2 are willing to negotiate a new contract.
So we have 11 players in our current lineup, whom will not negotiate, only saying: "I'm happy with my current contract".  
  As you all know: this could lead to an utter disaster for next season.  The problem is less severe in the GHL, as at least the player won't price himself off of the team, unless he's not a real keeper. If he's a real keeper, then the GM will sign him, and work the cap around that new salary.
But in the lower leagues: it's more difficult to plan and balance. 
 
   It's good not to just complain, but better to try and come-up with solutions along with the complaint. 
So how about a contract deadline day, by which the player must let management know his intentions. (EX: is he willing to negotiate, how much salary he wants, no chance, whatever.  Just let us know, or we'll cut-off the "extra benefits", from Irma, the team's masseuse. 
 
  How about day 37?  At the very latest: day 57.
 
Cheers, and hope you are all enjoying this cool game. 

Greetings. 
  
    GW Howitzer, BHL: Well, it's day 65, season is drawing to an end.   On any kind of professional team, the GM would already have solid plans for the next season's lineup.
 
   We have 13 active lineup players on the last year of their contract, and only 2 are willing to negotiate a new contract.
So we have 11 players in our current lineup, whom will not negotiate, only saying: "I'm happy with my current contract".  
  As you all know: this could lead to an utter disaster for next season.  The problem is less severe in the GHL, as at least the player won't price himself off of the team, unless he's not a real keeper. If he's a real keeper, then the GM will sign him, and work the cap around that new salary.
But in the lower leagues: it's more difficult to plan and balance. 
 
   It's good not to just complain, but better to try and come-up with solutions along with the complaint. 
So how about a contract deadline day, by which the player must let management know his intentions. (EX: is he willing to negotiate, how much salary he wants, no chance, whatever.  Just let us know, or we'll cut-off the "extra benefits", from Irma, the team's masseuse. 
 
  How about day 37?  At the very latest: day 57.
 
Cheers, and hope you are all enjoying this cool game. 

Hi.  Thanks for your reply.  
Yes: the player was on contract for the next season, and his salary was above the $460 000 that was available in cap-space for that following season. 
 
   If all of the players that are on affiliates have their full salaries counting against the following season's cap: that will make thinks difficult to plan and maneuver.