MattBerserkers

There seems to be a great separation between perceived stats/ratings and what the actual player can do. I can't tell you how many goalies I've dismissed or invested into based solely off their OVR rating and initial performance out of the Junior leagues. It's all hogwash with goalies! I have a 76 OVR goalie who is killing it compared to my other higher ranked goalie in the GHL...why? Who knows - but I think it's a hidden factor that tends to make some goalies hot and cold depending on certain factors. Overall, I'm now attempting to dig for those X-factor players rather than just selecting based off of ratings.

Player of the Day #2 - Vincenc Janez       Player Link: http://www.gameplanhockey.com/player?gpid=23541

Top GHL centerman, currently the 4th highest reputed player in game world Fishbowl is none other than Slovenian Vincenc Janez.

Standing at 6'2", and 203lbs, the versatile right shooter is a built player.

He began his journey in season 1, at 81 overall, aged 26.

He was signed by the Butte City Bald Eagles in season 1 to a 2 year, $2.75 million per season contract.

In his first season, he racked up a decent 10 goals and 29 points in 39 games.

However, the tide turned, as in his second season, he scored 64 points in a full 60 game season.

He never again reached those heights with Butte City, and that led him to be shipped out of town (or should I say city) in season 5 after three 20 goal seasons, and scoring 244 points in 266 games, a very consistent total.

He was shipped out to Horn Lake 55 games into season 5, to help on Horn Lake's playoff run, scoring a combined 66 points for both teams.

There he only scored 4 points in 9 playoff games, but he and his team won the Golden Cup, making the deal work out for Horn Lake to this day. Butte City Bald Eagles went on a downwards spiral since, with the GM resigning, but a new one did come in and relocated the team, and they look to have a good future.

By then, Janez' rating hit 87 and was still trending upwards.

The superstar immediately signed a 2 year deal at $4.3 million aav.

The Horn Lake Hooligans got their money's as Janez scored a career high 61 assists to go along with 15 goals.

Sadly, the 30 year old then began to trend downward ever since in points, though his overall is strong at 90.

So far in his career, he has racked up 431 games, scoring 430 points, including 162 goals. His faceoff percent is 57.4%.

Astonishing.

For the first ever player of the day, I have decided to nominate the first player drafted in the Fishbowl universe, Jeffrey Richardson.
 
http://www.gameplanhockey.com/player?gpid=34572
 
Drafted: 1st overall, season 4
Drafted by: New Hartford Rangers
Current Team: Larson Knights
 
Age: 21
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 214lbs
Shoots: Left
 
For his only minor league year, Jeffrey played 37 games for the Regina Condors in the CAJHL and posted an incredible 97 points, including 71 points (a career high) and 26 assists. His ridiculous amount of goals earned him both CAJHL goal scorer of the year and point getter of the year.
 
After going first overall to the New Hartford Rangers, he immediately signed with the team in hopes of elevating the recently promoted Rangers and win the Golden Cup. Unfortunately, the season did not go as planned and Jeffrey played abysmally and Rangers remained near the bottom of the league. In a last ditch effort to avoid relegation, Richardson was traded to the league leaders Larson Knights in return for a few average players in their prime. The trade failed and the Rangers went on to be demoted in the SHL where they are still currently playing today.
 
For his first season in the GHL, he posted 13 points in 47 games for the Rangers and 5 points in 4 games for the Knights.
 
Over the next few seasons, his play has been improving and in season 6, lifted the Golden Cup with the Knights. In season 7, Richardson put up his GHL career high 54 points in 52 games. He also extended his contract to an astonishing contract of 3.2mil for 10 seasons.
 
Currently, in season 8, Richardson has posted 46 points in 38 games putting him 2nd in the scoring race, 3 points behind 1st.
 
 
 
 
 
 
*note: I doubt that I will actually do this every day, If you have an interesting player, please post about him for me. 
 
 

Ya know... I think I'm kind of glad I'm not in GHL. There is a lot less bickering and a lot more fun down here in IHL!

Okay, I'm gonna deflect this argument to two places before we have two big threads arguing about trade abuse. The first is the trade abuse thread here http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/7447-trade-abuse/page-5so that this thread can once again be a salty therapy thread 
 
The second was my suggestion on this page http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/7457-ai-trade-values/ on my second post where I suggested that so many assets can only be traded for so many assets, I feel like that idea alone will stop the majority of what people consider abusive trades as they are usually a number thing.
 
As for my opinion on this case, I believe all human-human trades should be considered fair game unless it is blatant cheating (multiple accounts).

Okay, I'm gonna deflect this argument to two places before we have two big threads arguing about trade abuse. The first is the trade abuse thread here http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/7447-trade-abuse/page-5so that this thread can once again be a salty therapy thread 
 
The second was my suggestion on this page http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/7457-ai-trade-values/ on my second post where I suggested that so many assets can only be traded for so many assets, I feel like that idea alone will stop the majority of what people consider abusive trades as they are usually a number thing.
 
As for my opinion on this case, I believe all human-human trades should be considered fair game unless it is blatant cheating (multiple accounts).

Okay, I'm gonna deflect this argument to two places before we have two big threads arguing about trade abuse. The first is the trade abuse thread here http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/7447-trade-abuse/page-5so that this thread can once again be a salty therapy thread 
 
The second was my suggestion on this page http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/7457-ai-trade-values/ on my second post where I suggested that so many assets can only be traded for so many assets, I feel like that idea alone will stop the majority of what people consider abusive trades as they are usually a number thing.
 
As for my opinion on this case, I believe all human-human trades should be considered fair game unless it is blatant cheating (multiple accounts).

Ok guys, 30 games gone, and here's a look at what's happened:
 
In the GHL:
 
Larson leads the pack, as expected (by me at least)
 
Sellwood surprisingly is in 12th with the league's 2nd best offense.
 
There is a 10 point gap between 2nd (Hawkeye) and 8th (Cuba City).
 
After winning the cup last year, the Pirates find themselves in third.
 
Newly promoted CPU South Township has only managed 9 points through 30 games, and are a sure fire relegation candidate.
 
Cedar Rapids have rebounded after a disastrous finish last season and sit in 5th.
 
As for players, Larson leads the way with the top 3 scorers in the league. Leading the way is sniper Hubert Ferster, who has 25 goals and 40 points in 30 games.
 
SHL:
 
My team Montmorency Vortex sits in 1st, comfortably. We lead 2nd place Rocky Mountain House by 12 points.
 
Merrick, who have an excellent defense, Pinewood, and Portland, who sit 3rd-5th, are separated by 2 points.
 
6th place Tahsis sees a dropoff in points with 10 less than Portland, at 49, with a few teams close behind.
 
The relegation battle includes 4 teams. Mississauga, sitting with 14 points in last, needs a miracle, as they are 10 points behind 15th placed Ellisville. The difference between 12th and 13th is 10 points.
 
As for players, I have 5 of the top 25 scorers, with Pavlecka leading the way with 17 goals and 38 points in 30 games.
 
BHL:
 
Pierrefonds Predators have an astonishing 16 point lead in 1st place, and look like a sure fire promoted team, barring a major collapse.
 
As for the relegation battle, the 2 relegated teams are set in stone, with 21 and 11 points respectively. 15 place is 15 points behind 14th.
 
Louis-Vincent Banning, on the 6th place Alligators, leads the league in scoring with 18 goals and 44 points in 30 games.
 
IHL:
 
The title race at the top is fierce, with 1 point separating 1st and 2nd.
 
Palm Beach Shores have collected 0 points through 30 games, and are probably in the IHL. They need 35 points to get out the the relegation zone.
 
On 12th place Yucca, Maximus Angus can be found leading the league in scoring with 41 points in 30 games.
 
LIHL:
 
No highlights found.
 
Draft Status:
 
Looking good, Ulysses Stalker (lol that name) ranks 1st, with 47 goals in 21 games, along with 8 assists.
 
84 rated Swedish defender Ake Broman also is point per game, looking like an excellent pick.
 
87 rated Cornelius Chao ranks 7th somehow, but only has a .908 save percentage in the USJHL.
 
Overall roundup:
 
There hasn't been much trade activity this season, one GHL team has 3 first round picks.
 
No player has been extremely dominant in their league unless you include the junior leagues.
 
In almost every league, the promoted/relegated and GHL playoff teams are more or less set in stone.
 
Good luck in the second half all!

I find most my prospects find a team by around day 20. Although the odd prospect can remain teamless until late season which I find a bit odd.

I was thinking that maybe we should start a discussion to help give Anders ideas for whenever he has time to readdress and fix trading with AI. I would have started this discussion in that trade abuse thread, however, that thread has become a bit toxic. Please do not argue who is wrong and who is right in this thread as I wish to stay on topic. And don't call anyone a hypocrite for their suggestions because the people who manipulate the current system probably know best what should be changed to make trading fairer.
*note: In this thread, we should assume that trading with AI will continue to be allowed.
 
Suggestions I recall from the trade abuse thread:
- AI is unable to trade picks/prospects
- AI is unable to trade 1st round picks/players until they hit 21.
 
My ideas:
-AI in the bottom 6 are unwilling to acquire 1-way contracts (We might soon be relegated and are unwilling to acquire 1-way players that we might soon lose.)
-AI in the Top 6 are unwilling to trade away any picks (We are in a playoff spot and do not wish to trade away our picks because they might soon become a lot better.)
-AI are unwilling to acquire players with 1 year remaining on their contract after day 50 (It's almost the end of the season and we do not want to trade away our long term team chemistry for something short term.)
 
These are the suggestions coming from the top of my head, I'd like to hear what everyone else thinks as well.

Well, the season is about to wrap up so I figured a nice end of the year graph for Zombie Hamilton was appropriate. Good news everyon! He only dropped 3 OVR in the last 20 days - things are looking up!

I guess you'v been doing it "wrong" then
 
I mean if you trade, let's say six, 25-35y old players with 80-85ovr for one 18y old 87ovr player how the heck it's not a win in every possile way? Only scenario I come up with is you'r relegating and 18y has 1W and others not with years left in contracts to lift you back up to GHL.

Add arrogant and cocky players to your team.
 
Also add heroic and determined players.
 
Having too many nervous players will screw your winner instinct over. I try to build my team around impressive, heroic players, and try to avoid nervous players at all costs, though 2-3 won't hurt.

I also notice a bunch of trades where there are a bunch of players going one way and only a pick or single player in return. Perhaps the AI could reject sending/receiving assets that send/receive a difference in assets of more than 3 (awkward phrasing.) 
 
EA: 1 asset leaving and 3 assets coming back = acceptable
2 assets leaving and 4 coming back = acceptable
1 asset leaving and 4 assets coming back = unacceptable
2 assets leaving and 5 assets coming back = unacceptable.
 
This would allow for some weirder trades involving human managers to still go through, but really limit the exploitation that can be done to AI.

It is with great pleasure that General Manager (GM) Games has reached a significant milestone in our community.
 
5,000 Members!
 
Many thanks need to be shared with those that helped us get here. From our amazing dynasty contributors to the vibrant players of Anders Granberg's Game Plan Hockey Manager and their enthusiastic discussions.
 
To anyone reading this, a thank you goes out to you too for being here. 
 
 
I'm looking forward to continued coverage and discussion because one thing we know, A.I. is coming to all aspects of life and seeing even more immersive sports IQ games will constantly be coming.
 
Chris (Creator of GM Games)

This is something that is really getting on my nerves.
 
I'm 1st in the SHL currently, which is a very controversial spot.
 
I've literally been spammed with offers from about half of the GHL for my 1st round pick, because there is an 86 rated goalie propsect in the draft class, which I obviously want.
 
All I'm asking is that you can set your picks and prospects to be untouchable or on the trade block, because I've literally rejected like 15 offers in the last 10 days.

I personally set them all in the order I want to prioritize them and then just leave the draft pick selection "with any pick". So I would have them:
 
A1 - Any pick
B1 - Any pick
A2 - Any pick
C1 - Any pick
B2 - Any pick
A3 - Any pick
C3 - Any pick
B3 - Any pick
C3 - Any pick
 
This way you will always get the player highest in your own order and don't have to worry about skipping players just because they are on the wrong round (happened to me during the first few drafts).
 
E:
I also add more than just 3 players from the first round, just to be safe I get a quality player with my first pick at least.

I guess the first gm game I played was the gm mode within the EA NHL games. I favored the mode because I always found it more fun to be playing a team of my own creation rather than the teams that some real gm has assembled. Eventually, I wanted a game with more depth and decided upon the recently released football manager game. The toughest part was probably the fact that I hardly knew nothing about football/soccer and therefore had to learn the strategies and desired players. I enjoyed it enough that eventually, I bought a few other gm games such as EHM, OOTP and that Euro Truck simulator game (does that count?) However, more recently I've acquired more priorities business in my life and as a result was looking for a smore simple game. Eventually I found gameplanhockey through a reddit comment on /r/hockey and have been pretty satisfied since.

I think my team in the BHL is trying to set an all time new record for the number of times a team can finish third without a promotion in the playoffs!

I was wondering if the game could show whether a manager is active outside of just to team->team info or trading section. My idea would be to show an orange dot in the standings rather for vacationing managers rather than the blue dot. It would be a minor change, however, it would save people 2 seconds.  

Can't argue that it wouldn't suck to see you'r own player drop like 10ovr a season, but I guess there's that risk with older guys. It get's riskier as they grow old and it's not like it isn't happening in IRL. Gaborik, Brown, Horcoff, Thornton(?) and whatnot. Every1 ain't necessarily bad player yet, but overpaid atleast. I do have to admit that I'v been trying to avoid 30+ guys like Lepra, but that's not the way to go either. You just have to be careful with them and not commit to a 6y deal when they'r already 36y old. Unless you find GPH Jagr

Well what could a goalie do wrong while sitting on the bench? Open the gates too late?

I can't seem to find the page, but previously the fastest speed lightning (a game every 3h) was removed because it was causing too many problems with the simulator and always breaking causing the world to be constantly paused. If limiting the fastest game speed to a game every 6h prevents these issues, then I think the game is already as fast as it needs to be.

Had the same thing on my starcenter this season. Had him for like 10 seasons, been my 1st line center and go to-guy in most of these years and around 95-97 OA and being in points, top 5, many seasons...being nr 1 as well.

Haven´t seen any real decline before, up to age 37, but this season turning 38 he started to drop massively. Like crazy, 4-5 steps overall, kjust like that all of a sudden!!
Ended up trading him. Looking now he went from 97oa to 87oa just this season. Still a decent GHL-center in lumber, but nothing more than that. A 3rd-4th line center with a to big salary then. 

Would prefer to see it happen a bit more gradually fro age 35-36 or so, but maybe just needs some finetuning.

At that age, I actually think it's fine, especially because I feel like there is an oversaturation of talent. Although rare in reality, some players do seem to just jump off a cliff.
 
My opinion is just let it be. It's a risk people should be taking by signing older players that just didn't pay off for you. As much as people don't like to admit it, winning still requires a bit of luck.