Challenge 6: Columbus Blue Jackets Chat Thread

al_money · Post by **al_money** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 10:41 pm

Is it too late to start this challenge?

Post by **inSTAALed** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:05 pm

Never too late.

al_money · Post by **al_money** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:09 pm

will get started right now

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 2:20 pm

Are we planning on doing second season of this challenge? I wrapped up my first season and made a couple KILLER post draft trades. I'm planning on continuing on my own anyhow, I'm just wondering if I should bother recording the progress.

Post by **timmy_t** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 3:07 pm

Even though I'm not (as of right now) in this challenge with you Bruins 72, I think you should continue this challenge. I really enjoy reading about your teams and learning a different way to build them.

I'm through game 60 in my fantasy challenge. It's a lot harder than I thought, since I am limiting myself to only American players and prospects. I plan on a huge write up after the trade deadline (which is where my game is saved right now).

One thing I think would be cool, especially for us who are in the challenges and coach our own teams, is to post/explain our lines/tactics, so that we can get/share ideas.

Post by **Minstrel** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:25 am

B72, you'll have at least one combatant for 6.2 because I love my team and have all but one member of it resigned for next year as well... so I will definitely be carryin on to a second season

Krieger99 · Post by **Krieger99** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:02 am

Add me to the list of 6.2 players. I've been waiting for quite a while.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 1:28 pm

Excellent! I'm loving the deals I've made, especially after the draft. Can you say Ovechkin? Look at my last couple post in this thread.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:58 pm

bruins72 wrote:Excellent! I'm loving the deals I've made, especially after the draft. Can you say Ovechkin? Look at my last couple post in this thread.

You make me sick Bruins72

you seem to be able to pull of the impossible trades but I applaud you

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 8:18 pm

Joe wrote:
bruins72 wrote:Excellent! I'm loving the deals I've made, especially after the draft. Can you say Ovechkin? Look at my last couple post in this thread.
You make me sick Bruins72 you seem to be able to pull of the impossible trades but I applaud you

LOL! Thanks! I think those two post-draft deals are purely the result of those teams wanting those guys so badly. If I had waited until training camp or during the season, they never would've bit. The funny thing is, Garlock was part of the package sent for Ovechkin but a few days later he was released to free agency and I signed him again. Go figure!

mark_htfc · Post by **mark_htfc** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:32 pm

Could somebody please tell me what the latest date is we can start this Challenge??

The reason I ask is because I have not really used EHM 07 yet I need to have a proper go with it and try get used to it. Also have a quick go in the NHL, as I have never managed in the NHL before and I kind of still don't understand the whole trade thing at the start of the season.

If the Date has passed I will wait for the next challenge whenever that may be, If the date is say tomorrow then I will just go straight into the challenge and see how it turns out. Probably poor and bit of understanding but im sure I will learn.

Thanks.

Post by **Minstrel** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:57 pm

Since it seems that we'll be having enough players to play a second season as Columbus I'd suggest your start with this one, the next new Challenge won't be for a while yet. Fantasy Draft and this one were closer together because this one was just waiting for the 3.0.2 patch to start up as we knew there were database changes coming.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:15 pm

Mark, the best way to really learn the game is to just jump in and play a challenge. It doesn't matter if you don't do well. It's all about having fun. Just start up a game and learn as you go. It'll be a blast!

mark_htfc · Post by **mark_htfc** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:07 pm

Yeah I know that Bruins 2. The only worry I have is getting under budget if thier over it. Is Columbus within the budget??

Will start the Challenge tomorrow.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:26 pm

I think they may start over the budget. That's okay though. You've got a few contracts that you should be able to unload. You can work on your trading skills right off the bat. An easy way to start off would be to look at a couple of those players with larger contracts and see if they fit into what you want to do with the team. If not, just "Offer to All".

Speaking of budget... in the second season of the challenge we use the new budget that the board has allowed us for the 07-08 season, right? For example, my board has allowed me the full amount of the salary cap. So I can use that, not some other amount. Right?

mark_htfc · Post by **mark_htfc** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:51 pm

This may sound like a dumb question but how do I know if im under or over my budget?? As all I can see is one main budget total or am I looking in the wrong place?

The other thing though is I am really worried about the whole contract, budget etc. I kind of don't understand how to sort uot my budget or salary so I don't recieve any penalty points.

Sorry for the rather silly questions.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:49 pm

Don't forget the old saying. The only stupid questions are the ones you don't ask.

Click "Finances". In the top pane you should see an item for "Player Budget (p/a)". That's how much you have to work with. The Blue Jackets are one of the teams in the NHL that don't allow the full NHL salary cap amount. The "Averaged Club Salary (p/a)" is how much your currently at. If that is over the budget amount, look for some higher paid players (not guys making the minimum) to try to trade. Looks to trade them for picks, prospects, and lower paid players. One guy that will probably help you get under budget right away if you trade him is Fedorov. He's making a lot of money! He's also very talented. But then again, he's also old for an NHLer. Also look at Anson Carter. He's a bit overpaid for his role.

Let me know if you're still having any problems once you've started and tried it out.

Post by **Minstrel** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:41 pm

bruins72 wrote:Speaking of budget... in the second season of the challenge we use the new budget that the board has allowed us for the 07-08 season, right? For example, my board has allowed me the full amount of the salary cap. So I can use that, not some other amount. Right?

Correct, you just have to post a screenshot with your 1-20s so we know what your Board set you to.

mark_htfc · Post by **mark_htfc** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:43 pm

ok thank Bruins. I will also read through this thread and try get some hints of other peoples trades and so on.

I set up my game earlier with the requirments but I included EIHL as standard. Just as I always like to see whats going on in my local league. Looking really forward to the Challenge actually. Should be really good fun.

mark_htfc · Post by **mark_htfc** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:18 pm

Sorry to double post.

I have changed the status of the two players you said to available due to finances. Do I also need to add them to the Waivers or not??

Krieger99 · Post by **Krieger99** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 1:59 am

mark_htfc wrote:Sorry to double post.

I have changed the status of the two players you said to available due to finances. Do I also need to add them to the Waivers or not??

No, unless if you want to get rid of them for nothing.

mark_htfc · Post by **mark_htfc** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:41 am

Ok thanks Krieger.

mark_htfc · Post by **mark_htfc** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 8:07 am

Well I have just made my first trade proposal. I offerd Fedorov to everyone and Washington came back and offerd me Ben Clymer in return. Don't know if this is a good deal but I accepted anyway to get rid of Fedorov.

mark_htfc · Post by **mark_htfc** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 8:13 am

Well Washington came back and rejected because they don't want Fedorov in return. (no suprise really)

They have done a new offer though offering me Ben Clymer still but want the rights to Ben right and the 2007 4th and 7th round pick and 8th round pick in 08.

Don't know whether to accept.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 2:14 pm

I would offer Fedorov to everyone again. This time when they come back with offers you can either accept it right from the news item or if you go to negotiate, make sure to click the "lock" icon next to Fedorov to lock him into the deal. I would think you should be able to get more than Clymer for him. I think I ended up putting Fedorov in a package deal with another couple players for a couple players from another team. It seemed to work a little easier for me. Just remember to use the "locks" in the trade screen to lock in the players you want to give and receive.