TheWeekKnights

Yes it is early... But I'm hoping my early success is a good indicator. I'd like to at least participate in the BHL playoffs for the first time
 
Lineup has been tweaked this season... Using two new C on the first line. Both studs, but one has much better faceoffs. Last year I was averaging 35/65 splits!!

Savage Storm Game 3 Post Game Presser:
 
"Coach Rueger, How does it feel to suck so bad?"
 
"Thanks for the well thought out question, Chuck. This has been our worst season start of our career and frankly it sucks. I know our guys are eager to get out there but we need to sit down and re-evaluate some things because we're not scoring."
 
"Coach, are you affraid of losing your job after this season's 3 shutout start and coming off of several back-to-back 14th place finishes?"
 
"Wow Ted, we are three days in and you guys already want to can me? I really just want to focus on what we are doing right and fix the things we see on tape. We have a long road ahaead of us and that's my focus."
 
"Slaughterville just released their defenseman, Evanoff, days after being signed to a two year contract. What the heck happened there?"
 
"We found out he was a Justin Bieber fan and we really want to keep our team cohesive. It's a shame that people keep secrets like that but I'm sure there is a team out there that would be more than happy to sign a Bieber fan - probably an Edgewood or Canada Creek type of team."
 
"That makes sense coach - that's a relief to hear we found that out early in the season!"
 
"Thanks for the questions guys - I have a MASH re-run to catch."

I can't believe how much this thread has taken off.  There's so much going on so quickly.  
 
I think we've all become a bit spoiled at this point, in terms of players.  I'm still a relatively new manager, and this will be my first season in the GHL (in Clapper), but there definitely seems to be a lot of really good players, at every level.  It feels like it's too easy to build a team from free agency that can compete at whatever level you're at because there's just so many capable players.  
 
I was certainly enjoying watching my young team improve like mad for the past few years, and I felt like the player progression adjustments were going to hurt my team a bit more than others in my world because I just had so many draft picks and young starters.  But if everyone is having the same problem, and the people with superstars are seeing their 90's degrade, then I think we're all in the same boat anyway.  I wouldn't mind seeing the average overalls be something like: 
 
LIHL - 65's
IHL   - 70's
BHL  - 75's
SHL  - 80's
GHL - 85's 
 
I do feel like right now there is a massive gap between GHL and SHL in Clapper, and based on what everyone is saying, that gap gets worse in the faster worlds.  There's just too many superstars, and it's hard to build a competitive team without signing a bunch of old guys that no one really wants once you get promoted.  I feel like the current adjustments will make it more fair for teams that are promoted and demoted, and it may reign in the top teams in the GHL as well and make the competition a little more stiff.  
 
As for the CPU trading, I have definitely made my fair share of "shrewd" trades with the AI, I'll admit it.  But it's definitely gotten harder to just "abuse" the CPU, and I like the updates in that case.  I still have more success than with human players, and you won't realistically get something without giving something in either case now, which is much more fun and rewarding than salary-dumping on a CPU team to get an elite prospect.  It's more realistic, and it challenges the player more.
 
Basically, this was my long-winded way of saying that the changes may be annoying now, but it looks like the game is getting better each day, and Anders definitely had a long-term goal in mind.  Just read the road map and that fact becomes evident.  
 
So, although it's in everyone's right to vent in the forums, it's also important to have a dialogue because that ultimately helps the game, too.  It's definitely gotten harder, but at the same time we're all getting better at it.  I like how it's constantly changing and challenging the players.  
 
And as always, thanks Anders! 
 
 
 
Side note: I do kind of like the idea for a premium world, at least from an economic sense.  I just don't know how feasible it is and how many people actually donate.  

I can't believe how much this thread has taken off.  There's so much going on so quickly.  
 
I think we've all become a bit spoiled at this point, in terms of players.  I'm still a relatively new manager, and this will be my first season in the GHL (in Clapper), but there definitely seems to be a lot of really good players, at every level.  It feels like it's too easy to build a team from free agency that can compete at whatever level you're at because there's just so many capable players.  
 
I was certainly enjoying watching my young team improve like mad for the past few years, and I felt like the player progression adjustments were going to hurt my team a bit more than others in my world because I just had so many draft picks and young starters.  But if everyone is having the same problem, and the people with superstars are seeing their 90's degrade, then I think we're all in the same boat anyway.  I wouldn't mind seeing the average overalls be something like: 
 
LIHL - 65's
IHL   - 70's
BHL  - 75's
SHL  - 80's
GHL - 85's 
 
I do feel like right now there is a massive gap between GHL and SHL in Clapper, and based on what everyone is saying, that gap gets worse in the faster worlds.  There's just too many superstars, and it's hard to build a competitive team without signing a bunch of old guys that no one really wants once you get promoted.  I feel like the current adjustments will make it more fair for teams that are promoted and demoted, and it may reign in the top teams in the GHL as well and make the competition a little more stiff.  
 
As for the CPU trading, I have definitely made my fair share of "shrewd" trades with the AI, I'll admit it.  But it's definitely gotten harder to just "abuse" the CPU, and I like the updates in that case.  I still have more success than with human players, and you won't realistically get something without giving something in either case now, which is much more fun and rewarding than salary-dumping on a CPU team to get an elite prospect.  It's more realistic, and it challenges the player more.
 
Basically, this was my long-winded way of saying that the changes may be annoying now, but it looks like the game is getting better each day, and Anders definitely had a long-term goal in mind.  Just read the road map and that fact becomes evident.  
 
So, although it's in everyone's right to vent in the forums, it's also important to have a dialogue because that ultimately helps the game, too.  It's definitely gotten harder, but at the same time we're all getting better at it.  I like how it's constantly changing and challenging the players.  
 
And as always, thanks Anders! 
 
 
 
Side note: I do kind of like the idea for a premium world, at least from an economic sense.  I just don't know how feasible it is and how many people actually donate.  

I can't believe how much this thread has taken off.  There's so much going on so quickly.  
 
I think we've all become a bit spoiled at this point, in terms of players.  I'm still a relatively new manager, and this will be my first season in the GHL (in Clapper), but there definitely seems to be a lot of really good players, at every level.  It feels like it's too easy to build a team from free agency that can compete at whatever level you're at because there's just so many capable players.  
 
I was certainly enjoying watching my young team improve like mad for the past few years, and I felt like the player progression adjustments were going to hurt my team a bit more than others in my world because I just had so many draft picks and young starters.  But if everyone is having the same problem, and the people with superstars are seeing their 90's degrade, then I think we're all in the same boat anyway.  I wouldn't mind seeing the average overalls be something like: 
 
LIHL - 65's
IHL   - 70's
BHL  - 75's
SHL  - 80's
GHL - 85's 
 
I do feel like right now there is a massive gap between GHL and SHL in Clapper, and based on what everyone is saying, that gap gets worse in the faster worlds.  There's just too many superstars, and it's hard to build a competitive team without signing a bunch of old guys that no one really wants once you get promoted.  I feel like the current adjustments will make it more fair for teams that are promoted and demoted, and it may reign in the top teams in the GHL as well and make the competition a little more stiff.  
 
As for the CPU trading, I have definitely made my fair share of "shrewd" trades with the AI, I'll admit it.  But it's definitely gotten harder to just "abuse" the CPU, and I like the updates in that case.  I still have more success than with human players, and you won't realistically get something without giving something in either case now, which is much more fun and rewarding than salary-dumping on a CPU team to get an elite prospect.  It's more realistic, and it challenges the player more.
 
Basically, this was my long-winded way of saying that the changes may be annoying now, but it looks like the game is getting better each day, and Anders definitely had a long-term goal in mind.  Just read the road map and that fact becomes evident.  
 
So, although it's in everyone's right to vent in the forums, it's also important to have a dialogue because that ultimately helps the game, too.  It's definitely gotten harder, but at the same time we're all getting better at it.  I like how it's constantly changing and challenging the players.  
 
And as always, thanks Anders! 
 
 
 
Side note: I do kind of like the idea for a premium world, at least from an economic sense.  I just don't know how feasible it is and how many people actually donate.  

First we can't actually see your team unless we are in the same game world thus linking it like that is a waste of time. If you want us to see your team screenshot it and post the screenshot.
 
Second I don't see the same issues that you are talking about in the game world I am in thus it makes me think one of two things. 1. Bizarre isolated incident. 2. Your over exaggerating the situation and/or not being forthcoming about horrific team management that you can't get yourself out of a la old players that you are stuck with.
 
If you are in the fastest league(s) there are somethings you need to realize.
 
1. There was a massive over build up of players 90+ overall leaving the world over saturated with extremely high overall players. Anders had to counter this immediately thus he made it very hard for players to keep "topped up" skills topped up. He also had to counter the excessive over growth of younger players that was creating an over saturation of extremely high overall players thus he slowed down the development pace of players. If one or both of these factors of player development needs to be adjusted in the future they most definitely will when they need to.
 
2. The fastest leagues were breaking the sim engine and while not near as big of an issue now they still give the sim engine a good working over. Also Anders is adding more sim detail into the sim engine. Both of these combined are going to cause the sim to go slower.
 
Finally it is hardly a wasted season if it is less than 20 games in. Learn some patience. Every team is going to go through tough stretches. Yes injuries can cause teams to miss the playoffs. The Tampa Bay Lightning is the most recent shining example of such. If you don't like that too bad. Sorry to be brutal about it but it is something we all have to deal with in due time. The better managers do a better job dealing with injuries via making sure that they have good players in reserve before they actually need such players. That doesn't mean that they are immune to injuries. It just lessens the impact that injuries have.
 
Finally in terms of trading with the CPU be reasonable with your offers and I don't doubt that they will actually go through.

Hi everybody!
 
I'm Balazs Szabo from Hungary. I have never played any online game, but I like the manager games very much, so I have decided to try this interesting simulation.
 
I'm competing in the Lower Iron Hockey League with the Torrington Thunderbolts, and after the relegation I'm looking forward to a very difficult season, because I need to learn the basics of this game, after the team rebuilding.
 
I wish you the best of luck for the season ahead!

"We are here live at the season 19 Game Plan Hockey draft, Boy has it been a good one so far Tim!"
 
"Yeah Joe, the draft has been a deep one full of great talent. Oh, and it looks like the #20 Overall pick from Slaughterville Savage Storm is in, let's head down to Commissoner Granberg to see who they went for after drafting a great Goalie in the 1st Round!"
 
"For the 20th pick of the Season 19 Game Plan Hockey Draft the Savage Storm select Goalie, Cory Fulmer."
 
"Wait Tim, they chose who?"
 
"Yeah Joe, they took another goalie who was slated to be the 167th pick. This is a real shocker - what were they thinking?"
 
"Tim, look over at their planning suite, their GM, O'Connor, is sound asleep on the couch - this is not a good look for them as they have already been struggling to keep alive in the GHL."
 
"Boy oh boy - what a crappy pick - they really just flushed that one down the toilet!"
 
"Yup, I think one of their fans just set their mascot on fire out of pure rage - I'd hate to be in their GM's shoes when he wakes up- ouch!"

Howz abouts: each league, in each gameworld has it's own all-star game, say between game 30 and game 31.  (Or 40 and 41?  45?) 
Team Oddz gets players from teams in the standings: 1st; 3rd; 5th; 7th, 9, 11, 13, 15, and Team Evenz from teams 2, 4, 6, ...etc.
Players could be automatically selected based on performance rating, or an algorythm of stats, with an obligation of one player from each team.
Hopefully injuries would be disabled, like I think they should be for pre-season friendlies. Perhaps a good confidence booster for players selected.

Player loyalty actually exists in the game already. It's a hidden value and make some players go for the highest bidder whilst others might prefer to stay at the team they are playing in. Loyal players (and less ambitious players) may also be more satisfied to stay at a lower league level longer than more greedy players.
 
I do however understand that it's hard to keep your players in lower leagues. Maybe I have to look over this some more. At the same time you want the game to feel realistic and not to bury great players in the lower leagues.
 
Great feedback. Thanks.

I think adding player loyalty would be a good addition to the game because good players that you draft can become your franchise cornerstones, sign for less money, and ultimately lead your team to the Golden Cup, promotion, etc.
 
For example, you draft or trade for a prospect lets say at 55 overall. The player in 5 seasons grows into a 79 rated player (hidden gem) and you are in the LIHL, IHL, BHL level. His happiness is not very high and his status is "Wants to move to a bigger club". After being at the club for 3-5 seasons, he departs for a SHL team for huge dollars. Very frustrating that they feed on smaller leagues like that.
 
But, in the player's list of traits, you could add a loyalty section that for example is:
 
Red- Traitor
Orange- Treacherous 
Blue- Committed, Dedicated
Green- Devoted
 
Or something like the above.
 
The loyalty section wouldn't affect game play much, but rather:
Help team morale. Increase the chances of a star wanting to stay with your club, or wanting to wait for your offer first before choosing another club in free agency. Player may help other's morale by convincing them to stay, giving them pep talks (similar to leadership traits). Makes them want to sign long-term contracts. Make their morale drop when they are scratched because they feel 'betrayed' if they are loyal. Makes their captaincy give them boosts in both morale and skills. Would help with teams (especially in the lower leagues) to get promoted with players able to compete one division above, and create an overall better challenge, especially for teams in the relegation playoff and such. Et cetera.  
You could have a cornerstone like Doan, Modano, Sakic, Yzerman, Lidstrom, or Brodeur for a decade before they regress and go to a lower league/worse team.
Or you could have a journeyman like Jagr, Sillinger, Nolan, Gilmour, Roenick, or Pronger for one season before they move to another club in a similar division.
 
I've only played this game for a few weeks now but I think this would be a great addition to the game. What do you guys think?
 
(Correct me if this already exists, I'm new and haven't had time to look at the change log)
 

I guess the trick is to trade with the GHL team that finishes the season in 14th place, they avoid relegation, or trade with the SHL team that finishes 1st because they will be promoted.  Both have a good shot at the earning the first overall pick, however this is not a guarantee.  There is a lottery system, so even the 14th place team in GHL and 1st place team in SHL may not get the first overall pick.  As with any trade, it's a gamble.

Hi Game Plan Hockey Managers, I manage the Montmorency Vortex in the IHL. I live in Toronto and am a Leafs fan. From how much I've played so far, this game looks much better than NHL 16's GM mode. I found the game through gmgames.org.

Yes, experience is very much an important factor in he game. It's an hidden value but it's easy to figure out. Just look at the stats, reputation and age. Experience is used when handling pressure, adopting to new tactics and influence other players, among other things. So don't rule out the old farts :-)

So my season ends in the semi-finals once again, after I adjusted my tactics at the start of the season to try and counter some of the better teams.
Did not pay off, and I'm really disappointed in the performance of my Goalie. I should have kept Reed at all costs it looks like
 
Good luck to both teams in the Final!
 
Season 1 through 10 performance:
 
SEASON TEAM NAME MANAGER LEAGUE POSITION RECORD ACHIEVEMENT Season 10 Superb Dutchmen Peter Spenkelink GHL 2nd 40-2-4-14 Playoff 3 (semi) Season 9 Superb Dutchmen Peter Spenkelink GHL 5th 41-1-3-15 Playoff 3 (semi) Season 8 Superb Dutchmen Peter Spenkelink GHL 2nd 41-6-3-10 Playoff 4 (final) Season 7 Superb Dutchmen Peter Spenkelink GHL 2nd 45-4-2-9 Golden cup winner Season 6 Superb Dutchmen Peter Spenkelink GHL 1st 47-3-1-9 Golden cup winner Season 5 Tye Legions Peter Spenkelink GHL 1st 46-2-4-8 Playoff 4 (final) Season 4 Tye Legions Peter Spenkelink GHL 3rd 37-6-2-15 Golden cup winner Season 3 Tye Legions Peter Spenkelink GHL 3rd 36-3-6-15 Golden cup winner Season 2 Tye Legions Peter Spenkelink GHL 1st 47-8-0-5 Golden cup winner Season 1 Tye Legions Peter Spenkelink GHL 3rd 34-5-4-17 Playoff 2 (quarter)  
 
P.S. Please change Playoff 2/3/4 into quarter/semi/final? Makes it easier to understand in my opinion.