TBL NHL/ECHL/Canada/UK/Fin/Swe Roster Update 07/08

Post by **archibalduk** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:59 pm

Download: http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums/dl ... ile_id=402

This database updates the NHL rosters to the 2007-08 season. Please note this is a BETA VERSION and so the database is still incomplete and is still in the process of being improved. The aim of releasing this as an early beta is to give people a preview of our project and to get feedback on any mistakes and how to improve the project as a whole. This beta version contains rosters updated as of the 3rd September 2007.

Here's an overview of what this database includes so far:

* Updated NHL rosters;
* Over 1030 NHL player contracts updated (both wages and contract length);
* Updated GM, Assistant GM and Head Coach movements;
* Updated salary cap and salary floor;
* NHL players traded to Europe (NHL player rights are retained for those that left as RFAs);
* NHL player retirements;
* Draft pick trades;
* Correct draft picks that NHL teams had in the 2007 Draft (i.e.which round picks they had. Not what players they drafted);
* Based on TBL:DB version 1.0 by Devils88;
* Includes TBL:DB 1.1 extra_config.cfg college commitments.

Here's a list of things still to do:

* Keep the rosters up-to-date upto the 29th September (when the NHL season begins);
* Include new/extended contracts since the 20th August;
* Add a number of NHL Assistant GMs that are not in the EHM database (a total of five people);
* Update the NHL uniform colours;
* Include affiliation changes (if possible).

Once we've completed the NHL rosters, we will be working on updating a number of other leagues so that their rosters reflect the beginning of the 2007-08 regular season. Research is well under way on this. Currently we hope (although this is subject to change) to update the following leagues (the names in brackets are the users working on those leagues):

* British EIHL, EPIHL, ENL and SNL (Calv);
* Finnish SM, Mestis and Suomi-Sarja leagues (Tasku);
* Swedish Elite League and Allsvenskan (Lidas & Gottschlich);
* ECHL (Yankeemofo);
* Canadian OHL, QMJHL and WHL (Getzlaf15).

In trying to update the NHL rosters, there were a number of options as to how we could approach this task. Different users want different approaches. We've chosen a certain approach, and we're aware that this approach won't suit everyone. If you're not entirely happy with our approach then there's a number of options you have:

* Take our rosters and modify them to your taste (all we ask is that you give us some credit if you choose to make your edited database publicly available);
* Use the changelist that we have provided on www.ehmtheblueline.com to start your own roster update from scratch;
* Check out other users' projects. Kidhander & co are working on their Unfake Database which will give you the starting rosters for last season (2006-07) with modified attributes. Jan Smetana is working on a saved game that will start in the 2007-08 season (he will sim the 2006-07 season) with NHL rosters correct for that season. You can find more information on their progress on the SI Games' EHM Forums.

Let me try to explain the approach we chose to take:

* We chose to work on a database update, rather than a saved game updated, because it will give the users complete flexibility as to how to setup their game. You can choose exactly what leagues to run and which not to. A saved game does not give you this flexibility. As we chose to make a database update, we were stuck with the 2006 start date. This start date is hard-coded into EHM and so it's not possible to change. Thus our 2007-08 rosters will be running in the 2006-07 in EHM. It's not the best situation but there's nothing that can be done about it (besides, it's only a date!). We feel that the advantages of having a database update, rather than a saved game update, far outweigh the disadvantages. Additionally, it allows us to add other league updates onto this NHL roster update (see the leagues mentioned above) as well as allowing users to customise and further update our rosters.

* Players drafted in the NHL 2007 Draft have not been included in the update. Their rights remain unsigned and they will be eligible for the ingame 2007 Draft. The reason being that if we were to have included these NHL player rights then there would be a lack of talent in the ingame 2007 Draft. This would in turn mean that lesser players (i.e. those that would have been more suitable for subsequent drafts) would be drafted. This could then have knock-on effects for subsequent drafts.

* We have not included prospects signed by NHL teams over the summer. As they're a year younger in EHM than they are in real life, many still need to play in the juniors. Bringing them into the NHL a year early could harm their development.

* We did not modify any player attributes. We don't feel that many people are in a position to judge a player's attributes. We haven't been to see these players play and so our judgements would be without substantial first-hand knowledge of the player's actual abilities. In our opinion, threads where users say Player X should have a much higher stickhandling attribute, Player Y should have a much lower stamina attribute, etc. are of little reliability. How many of those users have actually seen those players to be able to say how a player's attributes should be fine-tuned or greatly improved/worsened?! I don't mean to offend people who disagree - it's just how we at TBL feel about this!

INSTALLATION

Extract the ZIP file to "NHL Eastside Hockey Manager 2007\data\database\" (NOTE: ensure that you enable the option to use the directory structure of the ZIP file when extracting. In Winzip this option is called "USE FOLDER NAMES"). Alternatively, if you don't have Winzip then create a new folder called 'tbl_rosters_2007-08_nhl' within your 'database' folder and extract the files into the 'tbl_rosters_2007-08_nhl' folder.

This will place the database files in "NHL Eastside Hockey Manager 2007\data\database\tbl_rosters_2007-08_nhl\". If you have made a mistake and accidentally wipe over EHM's default database (the files located directly in the 'database' folder), simply re-apply the 3.0.4 patch to restore the default database.

When starting a new game in EHM you will be presented with the option to choose which database to use. Select 'tbl_rosters_2007-08_nhl' to use the updated database and click on OK.

CREDITS

I'd like to say a great big THANK YOU to all of the users that helped me in making this roster update:

* TBL Admins & Moderators;
* Jackknife77;
* Jason Ponty;
* Lidas;
* MKoivuFan
* Niklas Gottschlich;
* Getzlaf15;

If I missed anyone out, send me a PM and I'll add you to the list! Also, thanks to Mne2 of eastside.co.uk who has created the NHL Pre-Game Editor for all versions of EHM. No update would have been possible without his wonderful editors!

Post by **getzlaf15** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 10:32 pm

Wow! This sounds like a huge project, if any help is needed, id be more than willing to give up my free time for this project, i could possibly do trades for the QMJHL, OHL, or WHL. I have some experience in the extra config file, and i would be pretty smooth at making there. PM me or get back if you need any help.
Thanks alot to everyone putting in work on this project, sounds like a good one!

Getz

Post by **archibalduk** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 10:40 pm

Currently we're just working on the NHL. Thanks for the offer of help! There's no reason why you couldn't do your own QMJHL/OHL/WHL extra_config update regardless of how our NHL update turns out. That would be a pretty awesome project too

Sucker Punch · Post by **Sucker Punch** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 1:15 am

I have a question that kind of fits in here. I know in previous versions, it was hardcoded into the game when the first season was. Is that still the case? Or is there a way to make it start in the 07-08 season?

Considering this is the last incarnation of EHM, I was just curious if it would be possible to change the starting season.

I know it would likely take ungodly amounts of work, including updating almost ever player to account for the extra year's development (in the case of prospects) or decline (for veterans), but it would be nice to know the game wouldn't become sinfully outdated as years go by.

Post by **Shadd666** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:21 am

Unfortunately, the start date is hardcoded in this version too.

Sucker Punch · Post by **Sucker Punch** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:17 am

Shadd666 wrote:Unfortunately, the start date is hardcoded in this version too.

*sigh*

I want my EHM back

.

Post by **Shadd666** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 1:27 pm

Sucker Punch wrote:I want my EHM back .

We all want it back

And it's this strong will from the community that lead us to attempt this project of updated rosters. Then this project (and others!) will continue to bring interest within the EHM community, maybe attract new players, and with a bit of luck, the strength of the community will finally bring EHM back to life!

Yup, i'm dreaming a bit, but heh, who doesn't dream of it?

19nazzy · Post by **19nazzy** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:13 pm

Too bad you couldn't copy my DB, I've been updating it as time as went on.

Post by **archibalduk** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:25 am

It doesn't matter. I've been zooming through this as I've developed an Excel sheet that I can copy the trades off the internet into it and then it'll do a lot of the work for me. All I have to do is add the teams that each player originally played for. I've already completed it up until the Feb 27th trade deadline. Now I just need to add the draft picks and check for any duplicate trades. Then we'll start testing it.

19nazzy · Post by **19nazzy** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:36 pm

I've done more than just trades. Been doing all the contracts as well. I assume you'll be doing that as well?

Post by **getzlaf15** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:58 pm

archibalduk wrote:Currently we're just working on the NHL. Thanks for the offer of help! There's no reason why you couldn't do your own QMJHL/OHL/WHL extra_config update regardless of how our NHL update turns out. That would be a pretty awesome project too

I will do just that, and make it kind of like an update for your file

Post by **archibalduk** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:12 pm

19nazzy wrote:I've done more than just trades. Been doing all the contracts as well. I assume you'll be doing that as well?

At the moment we don't plan on touching contracts. We'll leave users and the computer-controlled GMs ingame to offer contract renewals. The problem of updating contracts is that it means they will have incorrect lengths compared to players who haven't renewed their contract. For example, if in real life Player X signs a new two-year contract in June 2007 (therefore it would expire in real life in June 2008) he would thus in EHM have a two-year contract from the starting from the 2006/07 season and it would be due to expire in June 2008. Then if there's another player (Player Y) on the team that had in real life signed a two-year contract in June 2006 then ingame his contract would also expire June 2008. This would seem wrong because Player X's contract ought to expire the year after Player Y's but then that would mean Player X would have to have a three year contract - but then that would make things wrong too. Another possibility would mean decreasing every single player's contract ingame by one year to even things out - this would be far too big a job for us and would make the roster update far too complex and unmanageable. Does that make sense? That's why we're not going to touch contracts.

getzlaf15 - that would be absolutely awesome! That would allow users to merge our two updates

19nazzy · Post by **19nazzy** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:36 am

archibalduk wrote:Blurb on contracts

Yep makes sense. I'm not really anal about that so I live with the first year being inaccurate but a lot of people probably wouldn't like it.

Post by **archibalduk** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:10 am

I like how you summarised my long-winded quote

Post by **batdad** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 5:17 pm

Took me a minute to see another person was actually attempting to read an Archi explanation! Atta boy 19nazzy! Nice summary!

Note: I am the only poster here who can outdo archi with posts that you have to think about to get...cause I talk way more than him. See...still talking....

19nazzy · Post by **19nazzy** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:00 pm

Hey it's not bad. You are just trying to make sure you're understood.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 3:34 pm

Hey y'all, i have finished my draft picks for the WHL, OHL and QMJHL, wen i came to do some of the players, i noticed that some of the names are wrong, hope you don't mind, but i going to wait for the TBL:DB to come out. Any idea as when to that and this project will be done,

also... is there anyway to transfer import draft picks?

thanks,
Getz

Post by **archibalduk** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 4:45 pm

Try:

"DRAFT_PICK_SWITCH" "original team longname" "new team longname" round year

It says in the extra_config that it works for the CHL Import Draft. I can't say for sure when TBL:DB will be released. We've been beta testing the second version and things are going very well. You could actually do the trades using the players' real names now so that it's ready to test when TBL:DB does come out.

As for our NHL Roster Update, I've gotten as far as June 2007. I've done player trades, draft pick trades (including the final 2007 Draft picks that the teams had) and retirements. Things have been going very well but I've now reached two problems:

1) I can't figure out how to make someone from an NHL roster become a UFA. I've tried using the "FUTURE_TRANSFER" code and leaving the new team part blank (e.g. "FUTURE_TRANSFER" "Alexei" "Yashin" "New York Islanders" "" 1 8 2006 0 0 0) but it doesn't work.

2) I can't get EHM to generate a player's wages. Setting a player's wages to "-1" in the "FUTURE_TRANSFER" code should set it so that EHM generates it but it doesn't seem to work.

If I can't get past these two problems then we'll have to make an edited database based on TBL:DB rather than solely using extra_config. Either way, I'll still be publishing a list of NHL trades in the extra_config format for anyone that wants to use it.

V4ND3RP00L · Post by **V4ND3RP00L** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 6:33 am

This sounds like a good project to start for those who actually want to use it on their own game. I for one don't care for any kind of roster updates.

I feel that when you play NHL EHM 2007 and you progress through the game. There are always going to be trades within the game that you can't change and stuff like that.

It just seems pointless to have those big updates on the rosters, you know? Oh well, that is just my opinion.

Post by **Shadd666** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 11:39 am

JVanderpool: Pointless to you, maybe, but many others ask for a roster update. This way, everyone will have the choice: play the game with updated rosters, or play the game with 06-07 rosters (as it seems you will do

). It's all about giving gamers the possibility to play the way they want. Nothing more. Nothing less.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 5:50 pm

The nice thing about updated rosters is that it keeps the game fresh. We're looking at the possibility of not seeing a new version of EHM for a couple years or maybe never again. If we're going to keep the game alive through the player community, we've got to do things like roster updates to make the game different. With updated rosters, you could start a game with a team you've played several times but with a different roster it will have a whole new feel. Look at a team like the Flyers. By the time the new season starts they'll have such a different look than they did at the start of last season. Or how about being given the task of rebuilding the Nashville Predators after their recent fire sale?

yankeemofo · Post by **yankeemofo** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 8:48 pm

If you ever decide to increase the scope beyond the NHL, I was the HR for the ECHL. It would be nice to band together the old HR crew and work as we did before, if unofficially.

Post by **archibalduk** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 8:51 pm

That's be a great idea! We could potentially do this two ways:

1) I update the NHL rosters to the start of the 2007/08 season and then pass it on to you to do the same.

OR

2) Post all of the trades that have occurred in the ECHL since October 2006 and then I add these trades into the DB as I do the NHL update.

By the way, welcome to TBL

yankeemofo · Post by **yankeemofo** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:16 pm

Gracias for the welcome!

Personally, if it were entirely up to me, I like option 2. It's been a long while since we've done any head researchin', so my gears are a little rusty, I'd need time to get back on track, but I definately would be interested in contributing. I suppose the only real complicating issue here is the constant changing of the ECHL make up (some teams fold, some new ones appear) and changing NHL/AHL affiliations. Sooner or later, that might have to be addressed. But I think the first line of business would just simply get a record of transactions/current rosters.

yankeemofo · Post by **yankeemofo** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:28 pm

Oh, and I hope I don't come off as barging into a pre-existing project. The original intent of the NHL Roster Update should take priority, I just think if any additions or extensions can be added on---perhaps after the fact?---then might as well.

Besides, the ECHL seems to move at a snail's pace for months and then everything happens at once. It always seemed like EHM would be released about a week BEFORE I was "finished" with my ECHL preseason data, simply because that's how the scheduling worked out. In other words, there's tons of time available for considering any additions to the Roster Update.