Carolina Hurricanes: Challenge 2.1 Chat Thread

[Chelmsford Chieftain]

Just finished my last 22 games and I've done worse than the rest of the season. Seeing that I propably wouldn't be able to salvage anything from this season I just let the coach be in charge for the rest of the season. This means I don't really have much to mention about my team although I did make one notable trade on deadline day. I offloaded Stillman and gained Handzus. This edged my payroll up to the $30m maximum. With some free time next week I should be able to get going on Challenge 2.2. Things look optimistic seeing as I've got the 2nd overall draft pick. I also se that some people have joined me in the over-budget situation .

Goodbye everyone, see you when I have an awesome roster in challenge 2.2

[E5150_ca]

I went through the first 20 games rather quickly at Minstrels request, and I was rather happy with the results.

After all the complaining about the team (mostly from me ) , I was actually rather impressed with the depth of the team when I really took a good look. There was plenty of players I could probably throw in trades to help spice up the offer. It was clear the team lacked a good defensive core, a goaltender and a goalscorer or two.

I won't go into detail with the trades I made, but if anyone is curious about a certin player, feel free to ask.

My lines:

Cole - Drury (A) - Jagr (A)
Stillman - Staal - Williams
Bourlerice - Adams - Adams

I rotate about 6 other players on the 4th line from game to game based on their morale, condition and previous game played.


Wesley (C) - Hedican
Kuba - Cairns
Ward - Kaberle

Noronen - Gerber


I had a few deals lined up for Wesely and Hedican, but they have played surprisngly very well and I have decided to keep them on. For now.

My teams seems like a very streaky team, my first 8 games I went 7-1 then I slumped for 4-5 games before finishing again on a good note. Jagr leads the league in goals and points, and Rangers GM Glen Sather was promptly fired.

My 2nd line has been horrible, I'm thinking of dealing Staal, as he doesn't seem to have much of an upside, pants offense, pants defense and according to my Asst Gm, no potential.

I'm not sure when i'll do the next 20 games, probably when a certin admin PM's me too tell me to get my ass in gear.

[Minstrel]

My 2nd line has been horrible, I'm thinking of dealing Staal, as he doesn't seem to have much of an upside, s*** offense, s*** defense and according to my Asst Gm, no potential.

I'm not sure when i'll do the next 20 games, probably when a certin admin PM's me too tell me to get my ass in gear.

As for Staal; I actually don't doubt his potential he's just realllly young yet which is why I've sent him down to the AHL, hopefully he will make the best of it (though his stats are still startlingly average even in the AHL) and compete for a spot next year. If he doesn't I'm tradin' his ass!

As for your next set...

Just added a big group of stats and I'd like to congratulate everyone as it seems we'll have a turnout of coming up on 14 GM's competing!!!!

[Borlag]

I'm not sure when I'm able to finish the challenge season, had some major computer problems when my main computer pretty much blew up. Took me a week to get a brand new one up and running, have simply so much things to do in setting up the programs and such the way I want them that it'll take awhile before I can even think about playing.

On the bright side of things, the savegame and all do exist still and no other data was lost either, just a reinstall from scratch due to new motherboard, cpu, graphics card etc.

[Minstrel]

Really, as long as people are actively progressing in their games that's fine. I've just been looking for people to get past game 20 so we can calculate our first bonus points.

I'm not going to call a deadline on anyone really unless it comes down to most people have completed and others are lagging behind. Then I'll make a deadline date for when the bonuses will be tallied.

All that means is that if people don't finish by that time they won't be considered in the second set of in-year bonus points that are calculated after the 82 games set. Those are the points used to determine overall winners and who are the top three that go into the TBL Hall of Fame. I'll still record everyone's stats so they will still be able to see how they did in comparison with everyone statistically.

BTW - I recorded my 41-60 set at GLR this afternoon I'll do a write up about how things went soon.

[Minstrel]

Since it has been about a month since we announced the Challenge and everyone I've heard from that said they would be joining has recorded their first 20 games now I will be totalling up our first in-season bonus points in the next few days which will give us an early look at how the competition is going down points-wise.

Thanks again for everyone who has joined us for 2.1; the turnout has been awesome and everyone has done a really great job working the recording system.

Again, I hope that everyone will consider also taking their team into a second year and recording stats for Challenge 2.2. If you haven't checked out the details for how to proceed to a second season Challenge the information has been added to the Announce Thread #4.

[timmy_t]

Hey everyone-

I've been busy with school but I have some more stats coming up and I will write a complete buildup of my team as soon as possible.

[Minstrel]

Sorry for the backlog in recording; I wanted to finish the Olympic Jerseys and a I have two other big projects in the works...

Anyhow, I have everyone all caught up. Don't forget that with your 60-82 set you need to include your number of playoff wins (even if it's zero) and your screenshots before your stats are final.

As we're all past Game 20 I have the stats needed to calculate our first set of in-season bonus points! You can check over at our GLR page to see where you've placed and what your Challenge Points are so far. The 'Bonus Points A' column is where your stats are recorded. If you also have a "negative bonus" for finances that figure is factored in with your Bonus Points A total. So if you scored two points and had a -2 for finances you would have a zero in Bonus Points A.

More info on the Bonus Points is in the Official Scoring announce thread. Our next in-season set will be compiled after everyone has recorded their 41-60 set.

So here's the current leaders:

E5150_ca
Minstrel
Borlag

Tied for 4th: al_money, fifafan and kiethv

I'll be finally posting my writeup for my games 41-60 tommorow, promise

[E5150_ca]

All right. http://quag.ytmnd.com/

[timmy_t]

I am finally getting around to doing a write up of my season so far. I actually just finished game 60 today and my long writeup will go from preseason to game 60:


With the start of the challenge, as I posted before, the first thing that I did was to evaluate my current team and to see where I could improve. There were some players that obviously had to go (I would not spend 5 million dollars per year on Rod Brind'Amour), and some I was willing to part with (I put Cory Stillman up for grabs the first day). I looked for a strong coaching staff and cheaper scouts & trainers.

I brought Paul Maurice back as Head Coach and gave Laviolette a new contract as an assistant coach. By the time training camp was finished I decided that I would keep Cam Ward and Eric Stall in the minors for another year. I didn't think either of them would really be able to contribute at the NHL level (like they are in real life). I also sent Andrew Ladd back to his junior team because he was 19 and I couldn't see having him play 4th line minutes on my team. (I added a GM to Lowell so I can keep and eye on my prospects’ development)

I made some trades to clear cap room, get draft picks, and a bring in a couple of players that I thought could help the team. Here they are:

Rod Brind'Amour and a 2006 3rd (CAR) to the Wild for Brian Rolston (to add scoring)
2006 4th (TOR) and 2006 4th (VAN) to the Sabres for Brian Campbell (to add more scoring to our defense)
Bret Hedican to the Bruins for Brad Boyes (more as a prospect, but to get 3rd/4th line time)
Aaron Ward, Rights to Joe Barns, and 2006 7th (Car) to Oilers for 2006 3rd (CAR) and Ethan Moreau (for dedicated PK and checking line duty)
Rights to Kyle Lawson to Sabres for Mika Noronen (to backup and/or replace Gerber)
2006 3rd (COL) and 2006 3rd (BUF) to Penguins for Brooks Orpik (for toughness and solid defense)

I could never trade Stillman though (that will seem like a good omen later on…)

At the start of the 2005-2006 season I had aquired quite a few draft picks (including two 1st round picks: DAL and PHI), but as you can see with the trades, I turned some of those picks as soon as I got them.

I also signed Andre Benoit, Mark Flood, Patrick Jarrett, and Jamie Tardiff to 2-way contracts and sent them to Lowell. The only prospect of my own that I signed was Michal Krupka, and I sent him to Lowell too (I didn't think he'd get any ice time in the Czech league).

I was able to pick up Sergei Brylin on waivers from the Devils the first week of the regular season, but I also lost Oleg Tverdovsky to waivers the next week. I wasn't upset though, because I was trying to trade him for two months and no one wanted him. He dislocated his shoulder in the 3rd game of the season and was going to be out for two months, so I was glad to get rid of his 2.5 million dollar salary.

I was pretty happy with my team through the first twenty games, but it was obvious that my weakness was goaltending. I tried everything to get Luongo or Kiprusoff, but I never could, so I rotated Noronen and Gerber depending on their condition and morale. My other blaring weakness was my 12.6% powerplay. I bumped the powerplay percentage in my practice area hoping that this would improve.


Games 21-40 were a struggle for my team. I went 9-7-4 during that stretch, winning only 60% of the home games and losing 80% of the away games. My goaltending was still horrible and I wasn’t able to aquire a replacement. I think Noronen and Gerber had an average rating of 6.75 and a goals against average of around 3.25. The only positive thing was that the extra powerplay practice paid off as my powerplay improved to 18.7 % for the segment.

I picked up Matt Bradley off of waivers from the Capitals and made a couple of trades:

Gordie Dwyer and 2006 3rd (CHI) to the Blackhawks for Kyle Calder (to fill in on the 2nd or 3rd lines as needed)
Glen Wesley to the Sharks for Jim Fahey and Rob Davison (Wesley was exhausted after every game)


At this stage, halfway through the season, I was worried about sliding into the playoffs only to go home 4 games later. I know that without goaltending I would be in trouble, so I had to make a move as soon as possible. Also, with the trade deadline approaching after the next 20 games, I would need to figure out how to make my team as strong as possible.

Here are the key trades I made during games 41-60:

Frantisek Kaberle to the Mighty Ducks for Corey Perry (this was more of a future move since I had enough defensemen)
2006 1st (CAR) and 2006 2nd (CAR) to the Flyers for Antero Niittymaki (I hope he can handle the load)
Niklas Nordgren and 2006 3rd (CAR) to the Blackhawks for Jay McKee (my defense core is now solid)
Justin Williams and 2006 1st (DAL) to the Penguins for Zigmund Palffy (this will probably be my best trade)

I also acquired Matt Greene, Aaron Voros, Johnny Boychuk, Denis Ezhov, Teemu Laakso, and Denis Kulyash via trades during the third segment. They are all (except Kulyash) assigned to Lowell.

So far my team is on fire since trading for Niittymaki. We went 7-2-2 since the trade and Antero is 6-1-2 so far with a 2.49 goals against average and a 7.44 average rating. Two of his losses are to New Jersey Devils.

Remember when I mentioned that I was trying to trade Cory Stillman at the beginning of the season? Well, I’m so glad no one wanted him because he is my best player right now. He has 13 goals and 4 assists for 17 points in the last 11 games (since trading for Niittymaki) and was +9 in those 11 games. Right now Stillman has 31 goals and 33 is +15 and has a 7.72 average rating. He is clearly my best player right now.

I’m not sure what other moves I’ll make before the trade deadline. I would love to get a top 2 defenseman from one of the struggling teams, but we’ll see. I just offered Kevin Nastiuk for Brian Sutherby and I’m waiting to hear from them.

Here are my current lines:

Palffy – Stillman – Vrbata
Cole – Brylin – Rolston
Whitney – Vasicek – Calder
Moreau – Cullen – Boyes

McKee – Orpik
Campbell – Commodore
Davison – Fahey

Niittymaki
Noronen


If I can keep the momentum I think we can go deep into the playoffs...

[Devils88]

I hate this Game most of the time

Every Challenge wents the some Way.....in my last 20 Games i get a horrible slump and went out in the first Round of the Playoffs. Lost to the Islanders 1-4....Always close but never enough...1:2, 6:3, 3:4, 3:4 OT, 0:2 (Second one was empty net). Couldn't get by DiPietro despite he got 2Times Rating 5.

Maybe i'm only a good Regular Season Manager

[Minstrel]

I am wondering the same thing D88

I am being divereted a lot from typing things up as I'm on a "projects run" right now... My horrible 4-win games 21-40 set I feared would jeopordize my playoff chances. I of course last updated about the aftermath firesale But a late slide combined with the teams I was chasing never losing kept me from making the playoffs even

I'm hoping my young guys can get some playoff experience during the playoff run at Lowell of the AHL. I sent them down after our season ended after game 82. Hopefully I can finish off my second half tale when I get a chance to tell it with some positive news of building momentum for 2.2!!! Either that or the light at the end of the tunnel is actually a train...

[archibalduk]

Maybe i'm only a good Regular Season Manager

I, too, have never gotten very far in the post season games. I remember thrashing everyone in EHM 2004 with my Bruins side and I won the Presidents' Trophy. So why oh why did I crash and burn in the second round of the Playoffs. I was thrashed by a Penguins team that finished 8th in the regular season

[Minstrel]

Anyone with screenshot questions I have posted examples of each to the "#3 Challenge Stats Recording / GLR Display Info" Announce thread. Please take a moment to check them out

[Devils88]

I'm an Idiot...after my playoff out in round one i forgot to make screenies for the challenge.

I found most in the history, but couldn't provide a finance screen from end of season.

Stats for Players (Goals and Assists , Points,+/- PIM) is easy (Vrbata and Cole Stats)



Cole Stats
Vrbata Stats
Playoff Win(s)
Team Stats

Sorry Guys...didn't want to make trouble. I kicked my own Ass the hole day

[timmy_t]

I will get my 61-82 + 4 playoff losses writeup in hopefully tomorrow. I have already started the next season, so I will post a writeup of that season there.

[Minstrel]

Sorry Guys...didn't want to make trouble. I kicked my own Ass the hole day

Ya know, this is actually why I chose the screen I did for the playoff stats because you can always get back to it. For example, that screenshot I posted is from just before the playoffs of my second year in game time, but it shows my results from my first season's playoffs.

There isn't a clear cut time in the game when those stats are going to clear so yeah everyone should do their 'shots when they finish their season to make sure.

Make sure you do 'em earlier next time and we'll let it go since it's just finances and we have your reputation as a top user to know yer not just throwin around some the most important thing is your overall team stats as long as those add up since those are the biggest points and the core of the recording.

Live and learn All my talk in the Challenge documentation is really just if I have to enact those things upon a disruptive user especially one we think may be trying to pull a fast one on us... I won't "use" them to go all on a known good user and veteran Challenge participant over a mistake that is really just a matter of verification. I think people will understand my taking that postion. If not they should let me know.

[Devils88]

Ok, thanks....i'll learn from that mistake hopefully

Judges as TBL sentenced D88 to: ....providing another Facepack

[E5150_ca]

Not really much to say about my team, other then its quite the one line team. Jagr is so far ahead of the rest of the league in both goals and points its kind of scary. But then again, hes averaging 30+ minutes a game, so I guess its not that surprising

I started this quarter by dumping a bunch of salary. I traded Stillman and a 3rd round pick to the Ducks in exchange for Canadian youngster Lupul. Then I traded 5.12 Avr. Rating Ray Whitney to the Flames for a 4th round pick. I had my second line of Williams - Staal - Lupul, after 10 or so games, the line just played horrible so I ended up demoting Lupul and Staal to the AHL. It was really dissapointing cause I thought this line was really gonna click, 3 young Canadians with alot of speed and atleast average everywhere else I called up Nordgren to play LW and hes been playing rather well since his promotion, I hope he keeps it up.

lines:

Cole - Drury - Jagr
Nordgren - Vasichek - Williams
Cullen - Adams - Adams
Dwyer - Vrabata - Boulerice

Kuba - Cairns
Wesly - Hedican
Kaberle - Ward/Wallin


Noronen - Gerber

[fifafan]

Well, after game 40 I have slipped down the standings. I need to make some moves, as I am not 100% convinced my goaltending can get me to the next level. I still have Ward and Gerber. I made an offer for Kiprusoff, but that got laughed at

I think I just missed out on an opportunity to get Phaneuf, but hopefully I can pry him away from LA. Yes, you read that right. The stupd Flames dealt Phaneuf to the stupid Kings.

So, that's it for now. Here's to the next 20 games, and getting back into a playoff spot

[Cobra84]

it's my turn

First of all, it was necessary for me, to know the roster and the personnel (as I don't know the Canes, I always play the Wings).
I've evaluated the roster and the personnel abilities.

I've modify the staff by firing on the 1st september: Terry McDonnell, Sebastian Hecker, Kevin McCarthy and Jim Rytherford, and replacing them, by hiring : Kewin Bengtsson, Pierre Dorion, Jacques Laperriere, and a little bit later Sudarshan Maharaj.

It was time to increase the Roster, and also to make economy (following the idea of Borlag)

Trade Rod Brind'Amour, Martin Gerber, rights to Tim Kunes and rights to Nathan Hagemo to NY Rangers for Jaromir Jagr and Henrik Lunqvist.
Trade Oleg Tverdovsky, rights to jakub vojta and Maple Leafs 4th pick 2006 to panthers for Jay Bouwmeester.
Trade Kevyn Adams and rights to Ryan Bayda to Lightning for Adam Henrich
Trade Kevin Nastiuk, Frantisek Kaberle, rights to Risto Korhonen, rights to Tyson Strachan to Wild for Jason Smith
Trade Mike Commodore, David Gove and 4th round pick 2006 to Devils for Paul Martin
Trade Aaron Ward, rights to Ondrej Otcenas and 5th round pick 2007 to Predators for Marek Zidlicky
Trade Chris Hajt, Andrew Hutchinson, Jesse Boulerice and rights to Casey Borer to Predators for Dan Hamhuis
Trade Mike Zigomanis, and 4th Picks 2007 to Devils for Mike Commodore
Trade Ray Whitney, rights to Marcus Akerlund and Predators 5th pick 2006 to Senators for Jason Spezza, rights to Brian Lee, and rights to Alexei Kaigorodov
Trade Bret Hedican and rights to Justin Peters to Thrashers for Jaroslav Modry
Trade Nicklas Wallin, rights to Aaron Dawson and 6th Pick 2006 to Mapple Leafs for Jason Allison
Trade Keith Aucoin, Gordie Dwyer, Colin Forbes, rights to Jared Newman, rights to Brett Carson, and 3rd pick 2006 to NY Islanders for Jeremy Colliton and Oleg Kvasha
Trade Danny Richmond to Penguins for Sebastien Caron
Caron Claim in waivers by Predators
Trade Andrew Ladd to Oilers for Jani Rita
Trade 5th pick 2006 to Coyotes for Brian Boucher
Boucher claim in waivers by Canadiens
Trade rights to Greg Hornby and rights to Michal Krupka to Canadiens for Brian Boucher and canadiens 2th pick 2007

I claim Ilya Bryzgalov from waivers of Mighty Ducks
I claim Matt Bradley from waivers of Capitals
I claim Garnet Exelby from waivers of Thrashers
I claim Chris Clark from waivers of Capitals

My payroll is 28 500 000 $

[Cobra84]

This is my lines

Cole - Spezza - Jagr
Stillman - Kvasha - Williams
Nordgreen - Allison - Vrbata
Cullen - Vasicek - Brendl (or Adams)

Bouwmeester - Zidlicky
Wesley - Smith
Modry - Hamhuis

Lunqvist - Ward

[Octavian]

Not bad, looks like you have some decent lines. Bonne chance!

[Cobra84]

Merci

[E5150_ca]

Trade Aaron Ward, rights to Ondrej Otcenas and 5th round pick 2007 to Predators for Marek Zidlicky
Trade Mike Zigomanis, and 4th Picks 2007 to Devils for Mike Commodore

Might wanna read up on the rules.