Challenge 13: Nashville Predators (Discussion Thread)

[thunderbug]

I really don't see how the game figures out the awards sometimes. I haven't had any of my guys play in the All Star Game yet even though Sullivan, Arnott, and Dumont have all been in the top 10 in scoring both seasons I've played. I also don't understand how the league's leading scoring on makes Second All-Star Team and not the first.

My game gave Wade Belak the Selke. He was my 7th dman at the time.

[thecupismine]

I just finished my first off-season. Having a limit on how many players I could sign or trade for was fairly new to me, but overall I thought I did well considering the circumstances. There were many decent players available from other teams, such as Van Ryn, McCabe, Brewer, etc. available but no trully elite talent. However, I was able to pull of two trades that should help the team both short and long-term. The first included me acquiring Shane Doan from the Coyotes and the second involved me acquiring Alex Pietrangelo from the Blues. Doan gives some much needed size and someone other than Dumont who excelles in front of the net on the powerplay (Arnott's better using his slapshot on the halfboards IMO). Acquiring Pietrangelo gives me a young, albeit expensive, defenceman who provides exactly what I need: Someone who can play on my second powerplay unit and even strength.

Through free agency, I hope to have solved my main concern: Goaltending. Unfortunately, Esche had already been signed by Vancouver during the season (replaced an injured Luongo in the playoffs and won the cup) and Biron wouldn't sign with me. Because of these two events, I had to sign an older goaltender and wait until next season to find someone who can fill my long-term need in net (possibly one of the regens). I was extremely embarassed when Olaf Kolzig wouldn't sign with me and opted to go to Europe instead (may have had something to do with him rejecting my first offer as I lowballed him) so I signed Roloson instead. He had a very good reputation, so I was still allowed to sign one more player. That player was Blair Betts. I really needed a defensive presence who could help my woeful penalty kill as well as giving me the option of putting out a line that could check the other team's top lines.

Going into season 2, I still have two main weaknesses: An over-reliance on youth in my bottom six, thus maybe hurting their development as well as a big hole in the top six (Ellison doesn't really strike me as a guy who can put up 60+ points). It's possible that I may move up Jessiman there but that kind of stuff I'll work out come pre-season.

Doan-Arnott-Dumont
Sullivan-Legwand-Ellison
Pihlstrom-Wilson-Jessiman
Ortmeyer-Betts-Tootoo

Hamhuis-De Vries
Suter-Weber
Zanon-Pietrangelo

Roloson
Ellis

The main goals this season are to get better on special teams, make the playoffs and win a round or two (rather than getting swept in four, like last season), as well as indentify weaknesses within the roster and make up a plan to solve them next season.

[Mikita21]

I just finished my first off-season. Having a limit on how many players I could sign or trade for was fairly new to me, but overall I thought I did well considering the circumstances. There were many decent players available from other teams, such as Van Ryn, McCabe, Brewer, etc. available but no trully elite talent. However, I was able to pull of two trades that should help the team both short and long-term. The first included me acquiring Shane Doan from the Coyotes and the second involved me acquiring Alex Pietrangelo from the Blues. Doan gives some much needed size and someone other than Dumont who excelles in front of the net on the powerplay (Arnott's better using his slapshot on the halfboards IMO). Acquiring Pietrangelo gives me a young, albeit expensive, defenceman who provides exactly what I need: Someone who can play on my second powerplay unit and even strength.

Through free agency, I hope to have solved my main concern: Goaltending. Unfortunately, Esche had already been signed by Vancouver during the season (replaced an injured Luongo in the playoffs and won the cup) and Biron wouldn't sign with me. Because of these two events, I had to sign an older goaltender and wait until next season to find someone who can fill my long-term need in net (possibly one of the regens). I was extremely embarassed when Olaf Kolzig wouldn't sign with me and opted to go to Europe instead (may have had something to do with him rejecting my first offer as I lowballed him) so I signed Roloson instead. He had a very good reputation, so I was still allowed to sign one more player. That player was Blair Betts. I really needed a defensive presence who could help my woeful penalty kill as well as giving me the option of putting out a line that could check the other team's top lines.

Going into season 2, I still have two main weaknesses: An over-reliance on youth in my bottom six, thus maybe hurting their development as well as a big hole in the top six (Ellison doesn't really strike me as a guy who can put up 60+ points). It's possible that I may move up Jessiman there but that kind of stuff I'll work out come pre-season.

Doan-Arnott-Dumont
Sullivan-Legwand-Ellison
Pihlstrom-Wilson-Jessiman
Ortmeyer-Betts-Tootoo

Hamhuis-De Vries
Suter-Weber
Zanon-Pietrangelo

Roloson
Ellis

The main goals this season are to get better on special teams, make the playoffs and win a round or two (rather than getting swept in four, like last season), as well as indentify weaknesses within the roster and make up a plan to solve them next season.

I'm interested in how Doan works out for you. I took a long look at him before opting for Vanek and Cammalleri. What did you give up for him?

Good luck!

[thecupismine]

I just finished my first off-season. Having a limit on how many players I could sign or trade for was fairly new to me, but overall I thought I did well considering the circumstances. There were many decent players available from other teams, such as Van Ryn, McCabe, Brewer, etc. available but no trully elite talent. However, I was able to pull of two trades that should help the team both short and long-term. The first included me acquiring Shane Doan from the Coyotes and the second involved me acquiring Alex Pietrangelo from the Blues. Doan gives some much needed size and someone other than Dumont who excelles in front of the net on the powerplay (Arnott's better using his slapshot on the halfboards IMO). Acquiring Pietrangelo gives me a young, albeit expensive, defenceman who provides exactly what I need: Someone who can play on my second powerplay unit and even strength.

Through free agency, I hope to have solved my main concern: Goaltending. Unfortunately, Esche had already been signed by Vancouver during the season (replaced an injured Luongo in the playoffs and won the cup) and Biron wouldn't sign with me. Because of these two events, I had to sign an older goaltender and wait until next season to find someone who can fill my long-term need in net (possibly one of the regens). I was extremely embarassed when Olaf Kolzig wouldn't sign with me and opted to go to Europe instead (may have had something to do with him rejecting my first offer as I lowballed him) so I signed Roloson instead. He had a very good reputation, so I was still allowed to sign one more player. That player was Blair Betts. I really needed a defensive presence who could help my woeful penalty kill as well as giving me the option of putting out a line that could check the other team's top lines.

Going into season 2, I still have two main weaknesses: An over-reliance on youth in my bottom six, thus maybe hurting their development as well as a big hole in the top six (Ellison doesn't really strike me as a guy who can put up 60+ points). It's possible that I may move up Jessiman there but that kind of stuff I'll work out come pre-season.

Doan-Arnott-Dumont
Sullivan-Legwand-Ellison
Pihlstrom-Wilson-Jessiman
Ortmeyer-Betts-Tootoo

Hamhuis-De Vries
Suter-Weber
Zanon-Pietrangelo

Roloson
Ellis

The main goals this season are to get better on special teams, make the playoffs and win a round or two (rather than getting swept in four, like last season), as well as indentify weaknesses within the roster and make up a plan to solve them next season.

I'm interested in how Doan works out for you. I took a long look at him before opting for Vanek and Cammalleri. What did you give up for him?

Good luck!

Unfortunately, Cammaleri and Vanek were not viable options for me in my game (the asking price was ridiculous). Doan cost me Martin Erat, Patric Hornqvist and Jered Smithson. Not too high of a cost for the kinds of things I could get Doan to do for my team (if I can get guys like Arnott 130 points, Doan should be able to get 100). Guys like Chara and Savard were also available but I didn't acquire either as Chara cost too much relative to the assets I had available and Savard was pretty much a lateral move on Legwand (age and contract length being considered, of course).

[jbsnadb]

Funny how different saves offer different results. In my draft, McKegg was ranked 81st and and went in the third round (#68) to Minnesota.

[Mikita21]

Doan cost me Martin Erat, Patric Hornqvist and Jered Smithson. Not too high of a cost for the kinds of things I could get Doan to do for my team (if I can get guys like Arnott 130 points, Doan should be able to get 100). Guys like Chara and Savard were also available but I didn't acquire either as Chara cost too much relative to the assets I had available and Savard was pretty much a lateral move on Legwand (age and contract length being considered, of course).

I'd say that's a pretty sweet deal!

[jbsnadb]

I predict season three is going to be a long one. Olaf Kolzig retired surprisingly in the beginning of August, leaving me without a solid backup. I had already signed a Very Good UFA (Raffi Torres), leaving me with only a "Good" option. Right now, Kevin Nastiuk is probably the guy, since my next best option is Chet Pickard.

Meanwhile, Evgeni Nabokov has been a sieve playing for Russia at the World Cup.

[bruins72]

I really don't see how the game figures out the awards sometimes. I haven't had any of my guys play in the All Star Game yet even though Sullivan, Arnott, and Dumont have all been in the top 10 in scoring both seasons I've played. I also don't understand how the league's leading scoring on makes Second All-Star Team and not the first.

My game gave Wade Belak the Selke. He was my 7th dman at the time.

Ugggh! You've got to be kidding me! He didn't even make my roster. How did the game do that?

[Manimal]

For my second trade I went back to the Penguins (Fleury was the first one) I sent them Jonathan Blum and Greg Zanon and got Chris KUnitz and Alex Goligoski back. Goligoski will have to stay in Milwaukee since he has to be waived if brought up. A good one, I think

[bruins72]

Funny how different saves offer different results. In my draft, McKegg was ranked 81st and and went in the third round (#68) to Minnesota.

I've seen a lot of that. It's the variable potential.

[bruins72]

Doan cost me Martin Erat, Patric Hornqvist and Jered Smithson. Not too high of a cost for the kinds of things I could get Doan to do for my team (if I can get guys like Arnott 130 points, Doan should be able to get 100). Guys like Chara and Savard were also available but I didn't acquire either as Chara cost too much relative to the assets I had available and Savard was pretty much a lateral move on Legwand (age and contract length being considered, of course).

I'd say that's a pretty sweet deal!

Yeah, that's really not bad at all. When we played our Coyotes challenge many of us got to see how good Doan can be.

[bruins72]

I predict season three is going to be a long one. Olaf Kolzig retired surprisingly in the beginning of August, leaving me without a solid backup. I had already signed a Very Good UFA (Raffi Torres), leaving me with only a "Good" option. Right now, Kevin Nastiuk is probably the guy, since my next best option is Chet Pickard.

Meanwhile, Evgeni Nabokov has been a sieve playing for Russia at the World Cup.

OUCH! And the hits keep coming, huh?

[bruins72]

For my second trade I went back to the Penguins (Fleury was the first one) I sent them Jonathan Blum and Greg Zanon and got Chris KUnitz and Alex Goligoski back. Goligoski will have to stay in Milwaukee since he has to be waived if brought up. A good one, I think

I'd say that's an excellent deal! You'll just have to wait until that time (is it during the playoffs or the offseason?) when you can bring up players without having to clear waivers. Still, that's quite a nice deal!

[Captcrunch]

Whew!

Finished my first season! Last in the league by a comfortable margin! (3 pts behind the islanders, 11 pts behind the senators.)

Tavares, here I come!

I have scouts all over and, hopefully, I'll make smart decisions. I've been taking notes all season long so we'll see.

Obviously, I would prefer players who are ready to come in the show as soon as possible but I don't want to burn them. We'll see.

First line

My first line was incredible. They will stay put for next season:

Sullivan: 77-51-60-111, +28, 7.84 rating avg
Arnott: 76-39-73-112, +20, 9.22 rating avg
Dumont:82-42-71-113, +23 8.23 rating avg

Second line

I used mostly the same players all season long. I guess they played ok, providing additional scoring when needed but they will need to be better defensively. I mostly need a better LW since Pihlstrom is really a great borderline 3rd/2nd line player but not strong enough for a great 2nd line. I'll use Pihlstrom on the third line next season but I'll need to use a much better 2nd line LW. Legwand on center and Erat on RW were ok. I'll be open to trading Erat in the offseason if the right deal comes along. Legwand stays for one more year.

Pihlstrom: 68-21-19-40, -12 6.74 rating avg
Legwand: 82-20-30-50, -12 6.89 rating avg
Erat: 82-21-27-48, -16 6.77 rating avg

Third line

My real deception. Yet again the proof that I still have trouble implementing defensive tactics. With Nichol, Ortmeyer and Bonk, there is no way I cannot build a strong defensive line that I can match to opponent's top lines. I have tried alternative tactics in my last 5 games to some success (see below) and I may try to build a true defensive line next season (a real starting goalie will probably be nice toward that end ). I have changed players a lot on that line so I'll put the staff that were there at the end of the season.

Jessiman 80-8-9-17, -16 6.65 rating avg
Bonk 78-11-19-30, -42 7.28 rating avg
Ortmeyer 70-4-10-14, -38, 6.07

Fourth line

I did not play then enough to have a real impact (they had 20 second shifts). My weaker line... I gave them Nichol to center the line when I broke up my "defensive" line mid-season and promoted Jessiman on the third. If I have a great off-season, my 4th line will be my matchup line and my 3rd line will be my 2 way line. If things stay the same... the 3rd line will be the defensive one and the fourth will be either dedicated to youngsters or grinders/fighters.

Fiddler 61-0-1-1, -24, 6.02
Nichol 78-4-5-9, -38, 5.92
Belak 66-1-1-2, -23, 6.64

Defense

Weber, Hamhuis and Devries were strong competitors. Weber was a rock, playing 25 minutes on average. I will probably trade either Zanon or Koistinen to make space for an additional right handed (offensive, hopefully) defensemen.

LD Hamhuis 71-3-20-23, -18, 7.32 rating avg
RD Weber 68-4-21-25, -9, 7.5 rating avg

LD Suter 77-11-24-35, -4, 7.18 rating avg
RD de Vries 81-3-15-18, +1, 7.28 rating avg

LD Koistinen 82-1-5-6, -32, 6.43
RD Zanon 78-0-8-8, -34, 6.46

Goalies

Ellis had a nice second half of the season after being waived and sent back to the AHL. He was my most solid competitor and will stay with the team as a backup next year. Dekanish was the most potable backup in my system. Rinne finished the season in the AHL.

Ellis 57GP 17W 30L 6T 3.69GAA 0.889SV% 7.70Rating AVG 2SO
Dekanish 25GP 7W 14L 1T 5.16GAA 0.839SV% 6.56Rating AVG 0SO
Rinne 12GP 2W 5L 0T 5.13GASA 0.853SV% 6.58Rating AVG 1SO

New tactics

Apart from a new goalie, a new LW and, hopefully, an additional right handed defenseman, the thing I will be most looking forward next year will be new tactics. Instead of using unit tactics, each player will have his personal orders based on the following system (thx to bruins72 and the tactics board for inspiration!)

I'll start with the theory that players get penalties and play poorly when ordered to play in a system which does not fit their individual profile (when asked to do something that goes against the grain). Hopefully, by tweaking everything based on each player's profile, I will get less penalties and play stronger defense (its a wonky theory, true, but I'll try anyways ):

Attribute rating
1-7: Weakest setting (1/5)
8-9-10: Second weakest (2/5)
11-12-13: Normal setting (3/5)
14-15-16: High setting (4/5)
17-20: Highest setting (5/5)

Criterias

Mentality: Look in the player's scout report. Defensive player = defensive. Two way = neutral. Offensive = offensive
Aggressiveness: Look at aggressiveness attribute
Backchecking: Look at acceleration + speed attribute
Gap control: Look at acceleration + speed attribute
Puck pressure:Look at checking attribute
Hitting: Look at hitting attribute
Tempo: Look at acceleration + speed attribute
Passing: Look at passing attribute
Shooting: Look at Slapshot + Wristshot
Dumping the puck: depend on the line's role

Shoot/Pass bias: strongest skills
Fighting: strenght, aggression and value of player

Carry puck: Deking + stickhandling
Join rush: Look at acceleration + speed attribute and role

I'll try to play this in a man-to-man coverage. I know I'll have some challenges with this approach but it should be fun!

[Captcrunch]

Do undrafted prospect count as UFA?

[timmy_t]

The short answer is yes.

Just remember to use the "tiers" when signing your UFA's. It is possible for an unsigned prospect to have a "very good" rating, which would then allow you to only sign one "good" UFA, with a salary between $475k and $1.0mil.

[Captcrunch]

The short answer is yes.

Just remember to use the "tiers" when signing your UFA's. It is possible for an unsigned prospect to have a "very good" rating, which would then allow you to only sign one "good" UFA, with a salary between $475k and $1.0mil.

Thx.

Sorry for the double post. I hit "reload" on a wrong page

[Captcrunch]

Art Ross: Dumont and Arnott runner up (2nd and 3rd)
Hart: Arnott runner up (3rd)
Lester B. Pearson: Arnott runner up (2nd)
Maurice "Rocket" Richard: Sullivan runner up (2nd)
1st All Star team: Arnott (as a RW)

[jbsnadb]

The short answer is yes.

Just remember to use the "tiers" when signing your UFA's. It is possible for an unsigned prospect to have a "very good" rating, which would then allow you to only sign one "good" UFA, with a salary between $475k and $1.0mil.

Whoa. Not quite.

You may sign as many of your unsigned prospects as you like, but the signings have to be within the May 1-Oct 1 signing period. These players will not count against your UFA signings. For example, you may sign Alexander Radulov, and that acquisition will not count against your free agent signing limit.

In other news, my Preds are predicted to finish 25th for the third season! Where's a dancing banana when you need one?!?

[Captcrunch]

The short answer is yes.

Just remember to use the "tiers" when signing your UFA's. It is possible for an unsigned prospect to have a "very good" rating, which would then allow you to only sign one "good" UFA, with a salary between $475k and $1.0mil.

Whoa. Not quite.

You may sign as many of your unsigned prospects as you like, but the signings have to be within the May 1-Oct 1 signing period. These players will not count against your UFA signings. For example, you may sign Alexander Radulov, and that acquisition will not count against your free agent signing limit.

In other news, my Preds are predicted to finish 25th for the third season! Where's a dancing banana when you need one?!?

Actually, his answer made sense because I was wondering about unsigned prospects, i.e. 20 yrs old teams sometimes take a flyer on when they go undrafted. There is a lot of dead wood in my pipeline and I was thinking about signing undrafted prospects who may have a future. I know it makes sense to consider them as UFA but just in case...

[Captcrunch]

Just did my first draft! Wow, do we have a lot of picks or what!

Here's a list of my catches!

#1
John Tavares
Team: London Knights, OHL
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Age: 18
Height: 6 ft
Weight: 200
Consistency: 15
Best stats: Balance (17), Stamina (19), Flair (17)
Worst stats: Checking (7), Pokecheck (6), Positioning (6)
Character: Ambitious
Projected career role: Goal scoring forward, 1st line potential
Player projection: A more talented version of Vincent Lecavalier

#31
Eric Gelinas
Team: Lewiston Maniacs, QMJHL
Position: RD/LD
Shoots: Left
Age: 18
Height: 6 ft 3
Weight: 191
Consistency: 10
Best stats: Determination (19), Flair (16), Stamina (14)
Worst stats: Wristshot (4), Stickhandling (5), Positioning (6)
Character: Competitive
Projected career role: Two-way defenseman, 1-2 potential
Player projection: A more talented version of Aaron Ward

#37
Erik Haula
Team: Shattuck-St.Mary's, USHW
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Left
Age: 18
Height: 5 ft 11
Weight: 163
Consistency: 12
Best stats: Determination (16), Flair (14), Work rate (14)
Worst stats: Strenght (7), Hitting (7), Positioning (7)
Character: Unambitious, Determined
Projected career role: Skilled forward, 1st line potential
Player projection: A more talented version of Jason Williams

#61
Brett Ponich
Team: Portland Winter Hawks, WHL
Position: Left defense
Shoots: Right
Age: 18
Height: 6 ft 4
Weight: 183
Consistency: 13
Best stats: Determination (17), Acceleration (15), Stamina (16), Strength (14), Flair (14)
Worst stats: Anticipation (5), Checking (5), Hitting (2), Pokecheck (5), Slapshot (4)
Character: Determined, Independent
Projected career role: Skilled defenseman, 1-2 potential
Player projection: A more talented version of Lukas Krajicek with a bigger frame

#63
Ben Chiarot
Team: Guelph Storm, OHL
Position: RD/LD
Shoots: Left
Age: 18
Height: 6 ft 3
Weight: 218
Consistency: 6
Best stats: Determination (18), Agility (19), Acceleration (15), Stamina (15), Teamwork (16)
Worst stats: Influence (6), Bravery (7), Creativity (7)
Character: Unambitious, Competitive
Projected career role: Skilled defenseman, 1-2 potential
Player projection: A more talented version of Wade Redden with a bigger frame

#91
Dale Hunt
Team: Everett Silvertips, WHL
Position: Right wing/Left wing
Shoots: Right
Age: 19
Height: 6 ft
Weight: 200
Consistency: 12
Best stats: Stamina (17), Agility (14), Determination (14)
Worst stats: Balance (9), Creativity (7), Stickhandling (7)
Character: Determined
Projected career role: Two-way forward, 2nd line potential
Player projection: A more talented version of Trevor Letowski

#101
Vitaly Karamnov
Team: Dynamo Moscow, RSL
Position: Center/Right Wing
Shoots: Left
Age: 19
Height: 6 ft 1
Weight: 183
Consistency: 11
Best stats: Acceleration (18), Speed (18), Balance (16)
Worst stats: Strenght (9), Flair (8), Pokecheck (6)
Character: Realist, Determined, Loyal
Projected career role: Two-way forward, 2nd line potential
Player projection: Like Vaclav Prospal

#110
Jeremy Morin
Team: NTDP, USHL
Position: Center
Shoots: Right
Age: 18
Height: 5 ft 11
Weight: 169
Consistency: 12
Best stats: Teamwork (17), Flair (16), Acceleration (14), Stamina (14)
Worst stats: Balance (8), Speed (8), Strenght (8), Aggression (7), Bravery (8)
Character: Casual, Realist, Fickle, Strong Character
Projected career role: Flashy forward, 2nd line potential
Player projection: Like Rod Brind'Amour

#121
Ryan White
Team: Everett Silvertips, WHL
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Age: 18
Height: 5 ft 10
Weight: 198
Consistency: 14
Best stats: Agility (19), Speed (18), Stamina (18), Teamwork (17)
Worst stats: Influence (3), Positioning (4), Pokecheck (5), Passing (6)
Character: Realist, Determined, Independant
Projected career role: Skilled offensive forward, 2nd line potential
Player projection: Like Jonathan Cheechoo

#146
Jordan Trach
Team: Prince Albert Raiders, WHL
Position: Left wing/Center
Shoots: Left
Age: 19
Height: 6 ft
Weight: 198
Consistency: 11
Best stats: Aggression (14), Influence (14), Work rate (15)
Worst stats: Hitting (5), Pokecheck (6), Positioning (6)
Character: Ambitious
Projected career role: Skilled offensive forward, 2nd line potential
Player projection: A poor man's Ladislav Nagy

#151
Seth Helgeson
Team: Sioux City Musketeers, USHL
Position: LD/RD
Shoots: Left
Age: 18
Height: 6 ft 3
Weight: 220
Consistency: 8
Best stats: Acceleration (14), Speed (16), Stamina (14), Strength (16)
Worst stats: Anticipation (5), Creativity (6), Teamwork (6), Hitting (4), Positioning (2)
Character: Ordinatry
Projected career role: Mobile defenseman, 3-4 potential
Player projection: A more talented version of Zbynek Michalek with a bigger frame

#181
Brock Montpetit
Team: Waterloo, USHL
Position: Center/Right wing
Shoots: Right
Age: 19
Height: 5 ft 11
Weight: 178
Consistency: 12
Best stats: Stamina (16), Flair (15), Teamwork (16), Work rate (16)
Worst stats: Hitting (4), Slapshot (6), Balance (8)
Character: Poor self-belief
Projected career role: Skilled forward, , 2nd line potential
Player projection: A more talented version of Brett McLean

#185
Dominic Pacovsky
Team: Kootenay Ice, WHL
Position: Left wing
Shoots: Left
Age: 19
Height: 6 ft
Weight: 218
Consistency: 11
Best stats: Agility (15), Stamina (18), Work rate (15)
Worst stats: Creativity (6), Determination (6)
Character: Independent, Strong character
Projected career role: Skilled offensive forward, , 3rd line potential
Player projection: Like Travis Moen

Revised Top Prospects:

Here are my revised top prospect line, after my draft!

1 John Tavares 18 yr old center, drafted 1st rnd 2007
2 Colin Wilson, 19 yr old center/left wing, drafted 21nd (?) rnd 2006
3 Eric Gelinas, 18 yr old RD/LD, drafted 2nd rnd 2007
4 Jeremy Morin, 18 yr old Center, drafted 4th rnd 2007
5 Ben Chiarot, 18 yr old RD/LD, drafted 3rd rnd 2007
6 Alexander Radulov, 22 yr old RW, drafted 1st rnd 2004
7 Jeremy Smith, 20 yr old Goalie, drafted 12th rnd 2004
8 Patric Hornqvist, 22 yr old Center/Right wing, drafted 7th rnd 2005
9 Chet Pickard, 19 yr old goalie, drafted 21nd (?) rnd 2006
10 Roman Josi, 19 yr old right defense, drafted 22nd (?) rnd, 2006
11 Eric Haula, 18 yr old right wing, drafted 2nd rnd 2007
12 Brett Ponich, 18 yr old left defense, drafted 3rd rnd 2007

[kuulapaa]

We are in half way of season #3 now. First quarter was very difficult as I couldn't get our game going no matter what I tried. We lost four games in a row, then won two and then lost the next five games. I was trying to get the team to play more defensively than before but couldn't find tactics which would've worked. So after some 25 games I changed back to more offensive tactics. And in the last days of November I managed to make two trades which were pretty good considering both short and long term.

First trade was with the Ducks: Jason Arnott and Steve Sullivan for Ryan Getzlaf and Anton Strålman. This brought us two young players who stepped straight in our top two lines.
Getzlaf has been more than magnificent after the trade, in December he was chosen three times for the NHL Best Offensive Player of the Week and of course also for The Best Off Player of the Month. He has played in 19 games for us this far and his stats are 20+21=41, +7, 24PIM. He is already leading team's goal scoring and is third in point total, although the others have played twice as much games as he.
Strålman hasn't been so great yet, but I managed to sign him in a three-more-year deal and I'm expecting him to be our next star dman in years to come.
For the second trade there was two proposals to choose from. Another was (if I can recall) Greg Zanon and Martin Erat to Blackhawks for Jack Skille and young dman Nick Ross and another one was Joel Kwiatkowski and Erat to the Bolts for Karri Rämö and Oscar Hedman. As we didn't need another right winger (and as I didn't prefer making a trade with a team in Western Conference) we agreed on Tampa's proposal getting a much better backup goalie who is even able to make it for the next starting G in next season or so. Hedman is playing in Milwaukee but I'm planning to sign him in a multi-year deal this spring (as I already signed Rämö for three more years). Rämö started in Milwaukee too but then, some six games ago I called him up and he has played twice since then and is having two wins from those games.

After those two trades I called Colin Wilson from Milwaukee to play as LW in our first or second line. He has been great, his points are 6+18=24 in 21 games. He seems to be quite ready to play with the big boys now. And Marcel Hossa, who I acquired in off season is the second best in team's points total. Other players who have been positive surprises are Hugh Jessiman (18+23, AvR 7.78), David Hale (+2), Denis Kulyash (4+22, +9, AvR 8.17) and also Niklas Hagman in a way, as he has scored 10 goals while playing in our 3rd (defensive) line and PK.

After changing the tactics and making the trades Preds have come up from the 14th position to 3rd in the Conference. Central Division is the worst division in West but what the heck, if we can get the third place easier because of that, I don't complain. And for the first time in this Challenge I feel now my team has some kind of chance to make it into playoffs, so... hi - ho - let's go!

[Asher413]

20 games in, and boy, am I pretty bad

I seem to have 6 guys worthy of top two lines, but no one to call up if they go down...
I seem to have 1 decent goalie... but not backup
And the defensemen... well... at least they stay healthy.

This will be a great learning experience, but as I said before, I'm clearly going to be in the running for last

[bruins72]

Do undrafted prospect count as UFA?

Yes they do. They're still UFAs, they just weren't drafted.

[bruins72]

New tactics

Apart from a new goalie, a new LW and, hopefully, an additional right handed defenseman, the thing I will be most looking forward next year will be new tactics. Instead of using unit tactics, each player will have his personal orders based on the following system (thx to bruins72 and the tactics board for inspiration!)

I'll start with the theory that players get penalties and play poorly when ordered to play in a system which does not fit their individual profile (when asked to do something that goes against the grain). Hopefully, by tweaking everything based on each player's profile, I will get less penalties and play stronger defense (its a wonky theory, true, but I'll try anyways ):

Attribute rating
1-7: Weakest setting (1/5)
8-9-10: Second weakest (2/5)
11-12-13: Normal setting (3/5)
14-15-16: High setting (4/5)
17-20: Highest setting (5/5)

Criterias

Mentality: Look in the player's scout report. Defensive player = defensive. Two way = neutral. Offensive = offensive
Aggressiveness: Look at aggressiveness attribute
Backchecking: Look at acceleration + speed attribute
Gap control: Look at acceleration + speed attribute
Puck pressure:Look at checking attribute
Hitting: Look at hitting attribute
Tempo: Look at acceleration + speed attribute
Passing: Look at passing attribute
Shooting: Look at Slapshot + Wristshot
Dumping the puck: depend on the line's role

Shoot/Pass bias: strongest skills
Fighting: strenght, aggression and value of player

Carry puck: Deking + stickhandling
Join rush: Look at acceleration + speed attribute and role

I'll try to play this in a man-to-man coverage. I know I'll have some challenges with this approach but it should be fun!

You're on the right track here. Just keep in mind that other attributes can factor into these too. For example, passing is also affected by "Creativity". I think "Anticipation" might come into play as well. There are also hidden attributes like "vision" that will be a factor.

For shooting, some people like to actually set their wingers to "Selective" or "Very Selective" if they've got a high wrist shot skill. It's making them more of a sniper. They'll wait for the perfect shot rather than just throwing everything at the net. A defenseman with a cannon for a slapshot would be a good player to set for "Heavy" or "Barrage" shooting.

One thing that could factor into a lot of your penalties is the hidden attribute for "Dirtiness". Also, another thing to consider or the whole "Tight" or "Relaxed" Gap Control is the "Positioning" attribute. Guys take hooking penalties when they get caught out of position.

Some people look at "Strength" and "Getting Open" in addition to "Deking" and "Stickhandling" when deciding whether a player should "Carry the Puck".

Anyhow, I think you're on the right track.