Peekaboo

Damn. Was hoping this would get more replies. The good news is we got through a day without offers - but not sure how long that will hold. It’s only a matter of time until someone who isn’t regular in chat or forums makes an offer. I think at this point Eric is gone and 5 days might be a stretch. And the mods are clear about computer trading being part of the game.
 
Personally, I am going to hold off until trades start flowing in. Then the competitive juices will ignite and I will feel obligated to see if I can make a better offer :-D
 
Sorry again if it seems like I was trying to referee the situation. Just wanted to give Eric the chance to rejoin if it was a subscription issue.

Gratz Peek!

Ty guys
 
I had a player from your last year roster, Erzac. He is the key to the Cup.

Congrats Peek!

Congrats to Peek and the Dragons on the GHL Cup!

That's what she said.

Yeah, thats nice advantage rly... can fish for players from those already relegated

I think trading SHL picks is a bad idea, however, it depends on how you want to build your team. As Rain said, if you want to rush to GHL you can trade the 1st for quality 85-88 overall guys on 2way deals that can still be useful in the GHL.  I still am on the side of don't trade it but I think if it is for a few established mid 80's 18-23 year-olds it can be better if it is a weak draft.  That way you have a core when you promote.  It is all preference-based at the end of the day

Im expecting a tight, hard fought, 5 game series. (Instead of me getting swept again lol)

You could have won point or two more and make my playoff round a bit easier tho

So the 21st overall team finished 10th overall in the GHL with the 14th offense, 10th defense, 5th powerplay, and 9th penalty kill. That is what I call a successful season.

so, playoffs coming soon... here is my score so far, with all possible opponents
 
Vs Leopards 2-2
Vs Union 1-2
Vs Minuteman 4-0
Vs Duhawks 2-1
Vs Nightmares 1-3
Vs Red Tide 1-3
Vs Bulldogs 3-1
 
Too bad we don't have head to head info on versus page. I just can't seem to get going against some teams, Red Tide and Nightmares would be first to point out. Last season as well. Might be playstyle? Anyways, looking forward to playoffs

Considering that they have gotten about half, if not more, of their points by getting involved in that line I would think the other way around. It is just the way I have the D playing is rather passively offensively.
 
I'm not peek. Historically my teams are atrocious against the offensive juggernauts of the GHL.

so, playoffs coming soon... here is my score so far, with all possible opponents
 
Vs Leopards 2-2
Vs Union 1-2
Vs Minuteman 4-0
Vs Duhawks 2-1
Vs Nightmares 1-3
Vs Red Tide 1-3
Vs Bulldogs 3-1
 
Too bad we don't have head to head info on versus page. I just can't seem to get going against some teams, Red Tide and Nightmares would be first to point out. Last season as well. Might be playstyle? Anyways, looking forward to playoffs

Back at the top of the league...*knock on wood*

So basically the same type of trades that you would receive from human managers...
 
I dunno, seems pretty realistic to me     

I've read that conversation 3 times now and I end up laughing out loud every time. Just priceless. Really shows how well the assistant is up for his job.

Here, I talked to assistant to clear some things.
 
IP: Hi mate, lets talk about the game yesterday. And some other reports from last week.
A: Ok.
IP: We won 5-2 yesterday.
A: Yes.
IP: Lets discuss your report.
A: Ok.
IP: Team showed no signs of underestimating our opponent.
A: No, they didn't. They went in the game fierce and furious.
IP: But the team captains failed to prepare the team on our opponent?
A: Well, yes...
IP: How so?
A: I don't know... maybe they didn't prepare... uhm... maybe they didn't motivate players enough.
IP: Lets talk about Hoglund. 3 points for 6 minutes of ice time. Awesome.
A: Yeah, but he wasn't quite happy with his performance. His confidence is dented and he is crying in locker room now.
IP: How so?
A: He had 0 hits and 0 takeaways.
IP: But he scored a goal and had two assists.
A: No hits, no takeaways...
IP: Lets talk about Breton. He didn't have best of game, but you said that his bodychecks really boosted his confidence.
A: Yeah, but he displayed some very weak bodychecks.
IP: Ok?
A: Well, he is a player who gets his cofidence boosted only if he does weak bodychecks.
IP: Oh, ok. I didn't know that. Lets talk about game against Tomahawks, where our goalie got pulled out in first peried after allowing 4 goals from 7 shots. How did he feel after the game?
A: Great, he was very happy with his performance and it took his game to whole another level.
IP: I can see that. I see you mentioned that he didn't fit his role good? (Role 30)
A: Ah, yes. Well, he is a goalie, but naturally he is soccer goalie and being on the ice really makes it hard for him.
IP: Berthellete had a fine game. You mention that he protected the puck really well in the offensive zone.
A: Yeah, he was awesome.
IP: He also had great checking game.
A: Yes, thats what he does. I gave him 80 for his physical performance.
IP: But your report states that he failed in physical play getting past the opponent with the puck.
A: Yeah, he can't handle the puck.
IP: But he protected the puck really well?
A: Yeah, when he got the puck he protected him along the boards great, but if he skates with it then he failed.
IP: Ok. One more thing comes to mind.
A: Yes?
IP: You said that Arnesen wasn't affected by fatigue during the game at all.
A: Nope, he is incredible.
IP: But you said that he had problems with endurance and failed in recovery. Recovery of what?
A: I don't know.
IP: How he wasn't affected by fatigue if he had problems with endurance?
A: Uhm, maybe he was saving himself for last period and then, I don't know, game finished and he realised that he isn't fatigued at all.
IP: Ok. Cya tomorrow.
A: Bye.

This will be an unpopular opinion - which I totally understand - but I kind of like the way things are now in terms of player development and retirement.
 
Currently player development is all over the place.  I have a 22 year old that has only improved 1 rating (+1 shooting) in two seasons with no additional improvement in sight.  I also have a handful of 22-27 year olds that have improved almost every single rating over the first two seasons.  Also a 34 year old that has improved skating, spirit, endurance and +1 overall this season.  That all being said, I like the slower rates of improvement as it doesn't allow teams to stack up with younger players and end up with all 90+ players in a few seasons (like the old game worlds).  The truth is most 22-27 year olds, on average, will still improve +1 "overall" every 2 seasons (i.e. if you sign a 22 year old 88 overall, when they are 26 they will be 90 overall).  Obviously there are exceptions to this, certain players improve faster, slower or not at all - which is where scouting becomes important.  I suppose it's less exciting to see those development messages in your inbox less frequently, but I'd rather that than GHL teams with all 90 rated players.  The way things are now also values older veteran type players, which is how it should be.
 
As for early retirement - age 23 is a bit excessive.  I can agree with that.  But I personally think the game is more fun when the occasional curve ball is thrown your way and you have to react... and manage.  Key word being occasional.  If we start seeing 23 year olds retiring every year, then it should probably be changed.  Then again, if it's "lazy" players that retire early, then this adds a ton of strategy to the game when signing players and I'm all for more strategy.
 
Just want to avoid the game becoming "who can obtain the youngest team possible and keeping that team in tact for the next 10 seasons without any bumps in the road".  Because that was the case in the old world and the same teams won over and over again without much change year over year.

Ya, minor leaguers and players in Europe I could understand retiring, but a player in the top-level should not be retiring young if they are getting playing time in GHL, for instance.  Aside from special Patrik Berglund cases, players typically don't lose interest from hockey unless they are always on a bad team, or have a diminished role on the team.  I see your point, and for the most part agree rain, I just want to throw out there that a top prospect playing top minutes in the aahl would not retire in real life, even if they were lazy. 
 
Your point on development I agree with 100%.  Players, especially goalies and dmen, typically don't fully develop until they are in their mid to late 20s.  Seeing a bit more development out of 22-27-year-olds would be nice, although I see also how this could create the same problem as old-gen of having too many top-end players.  So what I'd propose is having a larger development curve, but also more "busts" or less developed players in the draft.  That way prospects would actually develop more like real life, but the game wouldn't have a GHL with only 90+ players.  If not that then at least have more noticeable development in the 22-27 age range.

Ha, I stopped reading the Asst reports a few seasons ago.  Chasing those comments led me nowhere.  I'd like to see the assistant just go away.  In its place see more ways to influence individual player development or other off ice type impacts.  

@peekaboo
 

 

The Outlaws and Duhawks do not like each other, eh?  5 fights in a single game.  I've never seen that before.  And the game ended 1-0 in a shootout.  Instant classic!

I've read this multiple times now and this part gets me every time. 

That was brilliant, Peekaboo.  We need more of that around here!