Unofficial ECHL Challenge

[Hypnotist]

Would anyone be interested in doing an unofficial ECHL challenge while we wait for Challenge 9 to wrap up? We would use the original TBL Unfaked DB (no updates, just unfaked) and either Bakersfield or Utah (since neither team has any affialiations) and you can let your Head Coach coach games. Beyond that, no roster, trade or signing restrictions other than what the league imposes (16 +2 dressed, 5 vets dressed, 20 player roster). We would use the TBL scoring system. Post here or shoot me a PM if you are interested.

[Shadd666]

Nice idea to make an unofficial challenge for those who're waiting the next official challenge Plus, the choice of the ECHL and teams with no affiliations sounds a good choice to me, especially since some people are willing to make a challenge outside of the NHL.

However, i'm not sure that letting the HC coach the games is a really good idea... Two reasons for that. First, those who will join the next official challenge will have to coach the games themselves, so they'd better get used to it. Secondly, ECHL coaches are generally not that good in the game

Nice project by the way I hope you'll find enough people to join in to have fun

[Hypnotist]

However, i'm not sure that letting the HC coach the games is a really good idea... Two reasons for that. First, those who will join the next official challenge will have to coach the games themselves, so they'd better get used to it. Secondly, ECHL coaches are generally not that good in the game

I can see your point about the official challenge rules, however, this poll showed that 7 out of 9 people would rather have the choice about allowing coaches to coach games.

Second, there are always some great ECHL-level coaches available either unemployed or stealable from lower leagues. It just takes a little more digging than in the NHL. Another good thing (in my mind) is that ECHL calibre players & staff tend to have a lot more "random" stats than their NHL counter parts. A coach who is a genius in one game may be just ok in another. Personally, this makes for a much more challenging game as there is a lot more diversity in the talent pool and makes the game a lot less formulaic, (i.e. get players A, B, & C plus coaches X, Y & Z and you win a championship).

[bruins72]

Nice use of the search function, Hypno!

I can't find the post or poll but I remember there being a debate on the subject of coaching yourself versus letting the computer coach in the challenges. There was some discussion about it before the rule was instituted (challenge 7, I believe). I was on the side of not watching the games (letting the computer handle it) at that point. More people thought we should coach our teams and watch the actual game. After playing it that way for a while, I came to like it better. It doesn't take long (I have Key Highlights Only, Fast clock, and Fast Forward action) to sim a game and it allows you to make minor adjustments.

Anyhow, if you're doing an unofficial challenge, it's probably best to stick to the regular challenge fundamentals. I'm sure some rules could be tweaked but things should be kept the same for the most part.

[Shadd666]

if you're doing an unofficial challenge, it's probably best to stick to the regular challenge fundamentals. I'm sure some rules could be tweaked but things should be kept the same for the most part.

I double that.

Plus, what a poll with less than 10 voters really shows? Nothing.

Then, it's not an official challenge, so you should do it the way you want But no matter what people want, the official challenges have to be coached by the players, not by the AI. And honestly, it's way more fun Plus, you can't argue that your team lost just because the AI coach sucks

[bigargon]

I would be interested in an echl challenge though i would like to stick with the standard rules. I won't let the AI manage the game, then i will loss alot of them.

[batdad]

Heh. Plus that poll is from before I was here. And since I am the king. Welll......

PHFFT TO NOT COACHING! YOU MUST COACH!


Like I have any power to make any rules whatsoever. I just enjoy being an obnoxious goof.

[Newbury]

I haven't done a challenge here yet, sounds like this one could be good.

[Hypnotist]

I haven't done a challenge here yet, sounds like this one could be good.

That's two!!!!

Anyone else interested? I"l give this till Friday then we'll start.

Note on Challenge Roster Rules: The coaching issue aside, the roster rules would be prohibitive at the ECHL levels. If you have a player or two that is tearing up the league, they likely will get offers from AHL or even NHL clubs. But this is a big part of the ECHL challenge. This may sound a little less than fun, but it certainly keeps you in the game, scouting and trying to dig up new talent. It comes down to who can put together the best team and just the right combination of stars. I would be willing to bet that by the end of season 1, no two participants teams look even remotely alike.

BTW this challenge is open to anyone, even those playing the official challenge. The more the better.

[joehelmer]

I'm interested to join while I wait for the next TBL challenge. But I may not report for a while and that's because of too much to do in school.

[Hypnotist]

But I may not report for a while

How long is a while? I was thinking of starting on Monday 14 JAN and giving a month between segments, i.e. the frist 20 games stats would be due in by 14 FEB and so on. After the first set and we see how many players we have participating, the next month would start as soon as the last participant posts their stats for each segment. Would this be enough time for everyone?

[Newbury]

But I may not report for a while

How long is a while? I was thinking of starting on Monday 14 JAN and giving a month between segments, i.e. the frist 20 games stats would be due in by 14 FEB and so on. After the first set and we see how many players we have participating, the next month would start as soon as the last participant posts their stats for each segment. Would this be enough time for everyone?

Sounds good to me.

[joehelmer]

But I may not report for a while

How long is a while? I was thinking of starting on Monday 14 JAN and giving a month between segments, i.e. the frist 20 games stats would be due in by 14 FEB and so on. After the first set and we see how many players we have participating, the next month would start as soon as the last participant posts their stats for each segment. Would this be enough time for everyone?

I can make it as the course I do now ends next friday.

[Shadd666]

One month between each segments of 20 games? Sounds a lot... Two weeks should be enough. That's 20 games in 14 days... just slightly over a game per day.

I should recommend you two weeks for every 20 games set (ie 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80), another two weeks for the playoffs, and another two weeks to manage the off-season + pre-season. It means a full season in 3 months. I think that even with work/school, it's a slow enough pace. And the ones who play faster would have less time to wait for the results

Just a proposition though

[bruins72]

Yeah, 2 weeks makes more sense. At the rate of 20 per month, this one would definitely be running still once the next official challenge starts. Not that we have any clear timeline for the next challenge but I'd assume (yes, I know what happens when you assume) we'd be starting another one by then.

[Hypnotist]

Shadd & Bruins: I should have asked how long between segments were before I posted that. I agree that a month may be a bit much. As long as it won't cause too much trouble, I would like to change the time to two-weeks as well.

[Shadd666]

Well, in the official challenge, the period between segments varies from time to time, from one week to two weeks, sometimes slightly more. But i tend to think that a fix rythm of 2 weeks per segment would be a good thing for your challenge. It brings a clean rythm, which is also a slow enough rythm so that everyone can easily play their segment before the deadline; and it's not too slow either, so that there's some rythm in the challenge.

[bigargon]

ok...when is this unoffical challenge going to start.

[Hypnotist]

Greetings and welcome to the Unofficial ECHL Challenge.

The team will be the Utah Grizzlies. They have no NHL, AHL or other league affiliations and no "loaned" players on the default roster. They are always ECHL doormats in the first couple of years and they start with contracts exceeding the league salary cap and with 23 out of 20 players on the roster. The challenge will start at 12:00 midnight EST, Monday January 14, 2008. The first set of 20 games will be due by 11:59 p.m. EST Sunday January 28, 2008.

Rules differences between Official Challenges and Unofficial Challenges:

1. No "Core" or "Homegrown" players - Why?- Players can sign with NHL or AHL teams and leave immediately even without a release clause. This could easily leave you short on your core requirements. There will not be a homegrown player requirement as there is no amateur draft at the ECHL level so all players will be signed as FAs.

2. GMs can sign as many Free Agents as needed or desired - Why?- As stated above, with no amateur draft, FAs are the main avenue for ECHL teams to stock their rosters.

3. No non-league "No Trade Period" - Why?- AI ECHL GMs don't seem to want to make big trades. We'll give it a go like this for the first one. If it seems to be a problem and there is enough interest to do another ECHL challenge, this may be adressed.

4. The only team you can run is the challenge team - Why?- There are no affiliates to run and this will also prevent players on other team from being "loaned" to the challenge team.

5. You may allow your Head Coach to coach games - Why?- Because that is what they are for. You don't have to let the coach manage games, but you have that option. This is up to the individual player to decide if they can manage the team in games better than the HC.

6. The salary cap is the same as the league cap ($315,000.00) - Why?- With no free players coming from affiliates, you will need every penny of the league cap to be competitive. Typically, you will have to pick up at least part of the salary of loaned players.

7. Loaned players & Tryout players are OK - Why?- Other than FA signings, these are the only way for an ECHL team to get players on the roster. However, be aware that loans can be recalled at any time, potentially leaving you a man short on the roster.

Other than that all other rules are as stated in the Official Challenge Rules Posts. All stats and screenshots will be needed as in an official challenge. Please post these and any questions in this thread and not any of the Official Challenge threads to avoid confusion.

Good Luck and Have Fun!

[joehelmer]

Utah Grizzlies have a NHL and AHL affiliate, according to the latest TBL roster update it's New York Islanders and Bridgeport.

I found two teams that doesn't have any affiliates and that is Bakersfield Condors and Toledo Storm.

[Shadd666]

So you touched a crucial point here: which DB will be in use for this challenge? The original 3.0.4/unfaked version, or the updated rosters?

[Hypnotist]

We would use the original TBL Unfaked DB (no updates, just unfaked).

Available on TBL here. Unless I am gravely mistaken, this is the only roster (other than default 3.04) that is allowed for official challenges.

[Newbury]

I have 3.04, I didn't download the unfaked I don't think, is the default 3.04 good enough? (I may need to ask a few questions, this will be my first challenge)

[Hypnotist]

I have 3.04, I didn't download the unfaked I don't think, is the default 3.04 good enough? (I may need to ask a few questions, this will be my first challenge)

As per the official rules, you may use either the default 3.04 DB or the TBL Unfaked v1.1. No other updates or changes are acceptable. Although I would highly recommend downloading the unfaked, as it makes things a bit easier.

BTW this is going to be hard! I was looking for a trading partner or two to shed some salary and found that all but 3 or 4 teams start OVER the cap!! Camp is going to be a vicious battle for the 20 roster spots!

[joehelmer]

This team is really bad, I'm just having a 16 man roster, it's hard to stay under the cap.