Season Preparations

[Virtual Jarmo]

We're less than one month away from the start of the EHEC season. Few things that we can discuss.

What should we do about the game sliders? I'd be in favor of lowering the injury slider a few points, since we had an inordinate amount of injuries and suspensions last season. Any opinions regarding scoring and penalties? I didn't do a side-by-side comparison with the NHL last season like I did for the previous season, but I have no reason to believe that our numbers for goals per game and shots per game were much different. I'm content with leaving them where they are, but we can have some discussion.

I'm planning on making the Olympics more competitive this season by making the non-power teams better and by overvaluing their goaltenders to "keep them in the game". Any time an upset happens in international play, the goalie is an enormous part of it. My plan is to make an Olympic file for the break and I will take volunteers to run teams and draw them randomly like I did back in 2010. Now I just have to remember how I did it.

I will have Quinn re-design the standings page to mirror the NHL realignment.

There is a run-time error if you try to sim through the preseason from something that the computer is doing. I have reset team budgets and tried to pin down a cause, but it won't be an issue with every team human-controlled, so I'm not putting any more time into it. I don't know if the error occurs during a fastsim of the regular season or not, but I apologize if it is an inconvenience for test simming.

I put a post up on fhockey to try and fill STL and NYI. I'm not sure what the status is of OTT or BUF. If anybody talks to any of those people, please ask.

Anybody else want to throw something out to talk about?

[Calgary.Flames]

Regarding the Olympics ...

I strongly suggest that we hand pick the rosters so that Team Canana does not feature a 69/61 P.K. Subban or a 58oa Justin Faulk sporting team USA's color.
Guys that want to control teams during this time could have the opportunity to pick the players they want from EHEC.
Who would want an EHEC Johnny Oduya on team Sweden over EHEC powerhouse Petter Granberg?

Another idea is that we could have a reward for players that make their country's team. I don't know, say +2LE or whatever.

I also can volunteer to hand pick all the strong teams rosters looking at attributes' strength and on-going season stats.



What are your thoughts on this? Any other ideas?

[CapsGM]

Another idea is that we could have a reward for players that make their country's team. I don't know, say +2LE or whatever.

I think that was done in 2010 actually.

I also can volunteer to hand pick all the strong teams rosters looking at attributes' strength and on-going season stats.

That should be up to the volunteer GM IMO.

[TorontoGM]

Could have a GM who chooses the roster and then a Coach to decide on lines/tactics.

Either way, I'll volunteer for Latvia or Slovenia.

[Devils_GM]

I love international play and would be very interested in volunteering to run the mighty Slovaks!!!

[Bruins_GM]

I'd like to be involved as well.

[SharksGM]

Why yes, I would love to name every American on my team to team USA. Mike Komisarek, come aboard! Erik Cole, you're not too old! Jack Skille and Kyle Okposo, the wave of the future! Kevin Hayes, why the fuck not! Lee Stempniak, I remember you!

... also uhhhh what about those awards, eh?

[Virtual Jarmo]

Not much talk about the sliders. Mmmm sliders.

Everybody's good with them at the levels they're at?

[Parker]

I'm okay with injuries being turned down. It'd be nice to see what Vladislav "Sucking Chest Wound" Kartayev could do in a full season.

Not to mention all the beatings that Kyle Quincey and Kurt Sauer take as revenge for causing injuries.

Speaking of beatings, let's turn fighting up more too.

[Virtual Jarmo]

I'm okay with injuries being turned down. It'd be nice to see what Vladislav "Sucking Chest Wound" Kartayev could do in a full season.

Not to mention all the beatings that Kyle Quincey and Kurt Sauer take as revenge for causing injuries.

Speaking of beatings, let's turn fighting up more too.

I'm content with both of these ideas, though I'm going to be very pissed off when Phillip Danault decides that he needs to fight more.

[Commish Bub(NYR)]

Meh about fighting. But lowering the injury slider is fine by me. I think EHM doesn't do injuries well, which is why I always turned it up to 200 in personal games, but in online games I'd rather see it lowered a bit.

[Parker]

I don't think that players with high PE attributes fight that much, even if they do have a high FI as well. I wish Joe Basaraba would fight more but his PE is too high. I thought the PE attribute had more to do with how often a player fights, while FI (along with STR and CON) determines whether he wins the fight.

But yeah, we don't have to move the fighting slider. I'm cool either way. I just like more fights.

[SharksGM]

The injury slider is fine. I don't think there were that many injuries last season. If you tallied up man-games lost it's probably quite a bit lower than the NHL. Plus DTD injuries can basically be ignored by activating off the IR.

Turn the fighting slider down would be fine with me since there are so many prospects with, uh, generous FI ceilings...

[Virtual Jarmo]

The EHEC Rulebook has been updated for the 2013-14 season.

[VancouverCanucksGM]

MORE fights!

[Virtual Jarmo]

Another question to raise is how to approach the repeat offenders for this season. Do we wipe the slate clean to start the year or do we consider last season as well?

[VancouverCanucksGM]

I know I wasn't here last season, but maybe only for players that caused season/career ending injuries.

[Virtual Jarmo]

Tonight's sim will be done in the morning. 9/11's not a good day around here. Just spending tonight with my fiancee and doing my best to be there for her.

My apologies. Thanks for the understanding.

[Virtual Jarmo]

A quick note to everybody. Guys who were invited to training camp will automatically go back at the end of the preseason. Signed prospects will have to manually be sent back. So there's no need to include training camp invitees in any demotion instructions. They will automatically go back. Thanks.

[SharksGM]

Another question to raise is how to approach the repeat offenders for this season. Do we wipe the slate clean to start the year or do we consider last season as well?

I'm late on this, but hellll naw. Y'all wanna bust a cap in a *****'s ass, that shit's on you for life.

... sorry, I've been watching The Wire, I'll stop now.

[Montreal Canadiens]

Another question to raise is how to approach the repeat offenders for this season. Do we wipe the slate clean to start the year or do we consider last season as well?

wipe the slate clean? heck no.

NHL doesn't wipe no slate clean.

[Parker]

Hey, a little off-topic but could we get those veteran CON and LE bumps added to the rulebook?

It's easier to find this stuff when it's all in one place.

[Virtual Jarmo]

Hey, a little off-topic but could we get those veteran CON and LE bumps added to the rulebook?

It's easier to find this stuff when it's all in one place.

Patrick? That's you, sir.

[Parker]

Hey, is there a list of suspensions anywhere? How are you guys keeping track of repeat offenders?

[Virtual Jarmo]

Hey, is there a list of suspensions anywhere? How are you guys keeping track of repeat offenders?

By memory.

[Commish Bub(NYR)]

Hey, a little off-topic but could we get those veteran CON and LE bumps added to the rulebook?

It's easier to find this stuff when it's all in one place.

Patrick? That's you, sir.

Done. Added a section with the LE/CON boosts near the end.

[Virtual Jarmo]

We never got a determination on repeat offenders and I never gave a concrete answer. We've had a couple over the last two days with Zdeno Chara and Guillaume Latendresse.

Chara injured Ben Guite for three weeks last season for a one-game suspension. Latendresse, on the other hand, injured Luca Caputi for five months and was given a 10-game ban.

The few opinions in here said that suspension histories should carry over, with one saying that it should only apply to season/career-ending injuries. Latendresse's injury ended Caputi's season.

Anybody else have any other thoughts before Pat and I make a determination?

[Parker]

Maybe the easiest way to do it would be for the history to last one calendar year. If a player goes a full year without another incident, he gets to start fresh. Or it could be two calendar years, I don't know.

I guess for me it's two points: 1) I do support the idea of the repeat offender tag (for ALL suspensions) carrying over, because the hatred between teams and associated line brawls certainly carries over between seasons. 2) I don't think the repeat offender tag should be permanent, regardless of offense, but I would support longer "repeat offender" tag periods for season- and career-ending injuries.

[Montreal Canadiens]

Yeah I think we shouldn't clear the slate for repeat offenders. You look at the NHL and they will suspend you no matter when your first incident was, heck they took Alex Edler's INTERNATIONAL case into question on his last hit.

Should there be more of a levy against a guy that has had 1 suspension for 1 game compared to a 10 game ban? Sure, but say Latendresse for example is suspended, just because a new season starts I don't think he should get let off the hook for that especially as with what Parker said how line brawls always happen between rivals and past injured players.

[Virtual Jarmo]

I just noticed that Mattias Ohlund was vopatizing because he was set to retire after the season. I cost myself some attribute points with him. Please check your guys to make sure that they aren't set to retire after the season. I need to rectify that ASAP.

[Jets GM]

I just noticed that Mattias Ohlund was vopatizing because he was set to retire after the season. I cost myself some attribute points with him. Please check your guys to make sure that they aren't set to retire after the season. I need to rectify that ASAP.

Noticed a couple players around the league that haven't been switched. I didn't bring it up because I think in some cases GMs are hoping the guy retires without anyone noticing and they skip the cap hit.

[VancouverCanucksGM]

God forbid a 37 year old defenseman call it quits.

[Calgary.Flames]

Scotty Niedermayer, Georges Laraque and Arron Asham.

[Parker]

Isn't a team on the hook for the player's entire contract even if he retires? I thought that was the crux of the Kim Johansson debate before the season. Maybe I misunderstood that rule.

[Calgary.Flames]

From the rulebook:

3. Contracts to retired players will continue to count against the cap for the duration of the contract.

[GoJetsGo]

I just noticed that Mattias Ohlund was vopatizing because he was set to retire after the season. I cost myself some attribute points with him. Please check your guys to make sure that they aren't set to retire after the season. I need to rectify that ASAP.

Derek Morris for Winnipeg.

[Jets GM]

Isn't a team on the hook for the player's entire contract even if he retires? I thought that was the crux of the Kim Johansson debate before the season. Maybe I misunderstood that rule.

Yes, but if a player was to retire and dissapear from a teams roster, there is a chance staff would not notice.

[Virtual Jarmo]

God forbid a 37 year old defenseman call it quits.

Do you have a problem with how we do things?

Because if you do, there's a simple solution.

[Virtual Jarmo]

I just noticed that Mattias Ohlund was vopatizing because he was set to retire after the season. I cost myself some attribute points with him. Please check your guys to make sure that they aren't set to retire after the season. I need to rectify that ASAP.

Noticed a couple players around the league that haven't been switched. I didn't bring it up because I think in some cases GMs are hoping the guy retires without anyone noticing and they skip the cap hit.

My guess is that I did it and then Pat did some file work before I uploaded and then uploaded the file. I have a list written down here somewhere and I'll make sure I pass it on to Pat for tonight's sim or handle it myself if I do the sim.

[VancouverCanucksGM]

God forbid a 37 year old defenseman call it quits.

Do you have a problem with how we do things?

Because if you do, there's a simple solution.

Not as a whole, just the out of the ordinary stuff.

[Virtual Jarmo]

God forbid a 37 year old defenseman call it quits.

Do you have a problem with how we do things?

Because if you do, there's a simple solution.

Not as a whole, just the out of the ordinary stuff.

You mean like instituting a retirement policy that prevents 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38-year-olds from retiring like EHM allows, despite the fact that they're still valuable players.

For shame. How dare we do such a thing!

[VancouverCanucksGM]

God forbid a 37 year old defenseman call it quits.

Do you have a problem with how we do things?

Because if you do, there's a simple solution.

Not as a whole, just the out of the ordinary stuff.

You mean like instituting a retirement policy that prevents 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38-year-olds from retiring like EHM allows, despite the fact that they're still valuable players.

For shame. How dare we do such a thing!

Exactly, when actual players retire at those ages, especially closer to the high 30's.

Here's a list of retired players from 5/31/12 to 6/62013
Nicklas Lidstrom - 42
Ian Laperriere - 37
Ethan Moreau - 37
Nolan Baumgartner - 36
Steve Staios - 39
John Madden - 39
Brett MacLean
Eric Godard - 32
Jaroslav Spacek - 38
Mark Parrish - 35
Kristian Huselius - 33
Sean O'Donnell - 40
Marty Turco - 37
Tomas Holmstrom - 39
Andrew Brunette - 39
Mathieu Darche - 34
Brian Rolston - 39
Alexei Kovalev - 39
Antero Niittymaki - 32
Jochen Hecht - 35
Andy Sutton - 37
Scott Nichol - 36
Andy McDonald - 35

[Virtual Jarmo]

I'll try to ignore the fact that a lot of those guys suck and couldn't find work. I'll also try to ignore the fact that most of them were chronically-injured, a problem we do not deal with in EHM.

Yep, can't do it.

[VancouverCanucksGM]

I guess it didn't matter what players I came up with, you'd find an reason for them. Like you said, EHM can't factor nagging injuries or deteriorating skills.

My point is, i can understand players 35 and under, but forcing players to stick around simply because you don't like them retiring when they're over 35 just doesn't seem right.

I can also understand that there are exceptions to those rules, like GREAT players continuing on, but not average players, simply so they can hang on an extra year or 4.

[Virtual Jarmo]

I guess it didn't matter what players I came up with, you'd find an reason for them. Like you said, EHM can't factor nagging injuries or deteriorating skills.

My point is, i can understand players 35 and under, but forcing players to stick around simply because you don't like them retiring when they're over 35 just doesn't seem right.

I can also understand that there are exceptions to those rules, like GREAT players continuing on, but not average players, simply so they can hang on an extra year or 4.

We factor in deteriorating skills at age 38. A lot of veteran players in the file go unsigned, vopatize on their own, and the game replaces them. During the rollover, the game tells me which signed players are set to retire. I go through that list and I unretire them. Having a player set to retire throughout the season lowers their attributes dramatically.

It's not "simply because I don't like them retiring". It's because EHM is limited.

[Virtual Jarmo]

Think I got everybody. Notable guys retiring included Marian Hossa, Olli Jokinen, Jarome Iginla, Ed Jovanovski, and many, many more.

Double check and make sure I didn't miss anybody signed in your organization.

[Montreal Canadiens]

I guess it didn't matter what players I came up with, you'd find an reason for them. Like you said, EHM can't factor nagging injuries or deteriorating skills.

My point is, i can understand players 35 and under, but forcing players to stick around simply because you don't like them retiring when they're over 35 just doesn't seem right.

I can also understand that there are exceptions to those rules, like GREAT players continuing on, but not average players, simply so they can hang on an extra year or 4.

Pretty sure Marc Savard was set to retire.....as well as Dan Boyle....and if you're saying those guys are just average and don't deserver to continue on then I don't know what to tell you.

Also Mattias Ohlund (in my opinion) is very valuable in this file, if I had the cap space I would have scooped him. Good HIT, good LE, good CON, good OFF.

[VancouverCanucksGM]

I guess it didn't matter what players I came up with, you'd find an reason for them. Like you said, EHM can't factor nagging injuries or deteriorating skills.

My point is, i can understand players 35 and under, but forcing players to stick around simply because you don't like them retiring when they're over 35 just doesn't seem right.

I can also understand that there are exceptions to those rules, like GREAT players continuing on, but not average players, simply so they can hang on an extra year or 4.

Pretty sure Marc Savard was set to retire.....as well as Dan Boyle....and if you're saying those guys are just average and don't deserver to continue on then I don't know what to tell you.

Also Mattias Ohlund (in my opinion) is very valuable in this file, if I had the cap space I would have scooped him. Good HIT, good LE, good CON, good OFF.

Not EVERY damn player, keeping them ALL is a little overkill. If they're producing, sure, keep them, but if they're not, let them take their long walk. Use some common sense.

[Virtual Jarmo]

We've gotten along just fine for four seasons with what we have in place.

[VancouverCanucksGM]

We've gotten along just fine for four seasons with what we have in place.

I didn't bring it back up, simply defending my point.