Challenge 19: Atlanta Thrashers (Discussion Thread)

blueshirtnParis · Post by **blueshirtnParis** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:22 am

tksolway wrote:
eric1985 wrote:So I had a questionfor all those past the third season or so. does Matt Duchene become easy to obtain? for two season he appeared to be unhappy so I scooped him up for Cody Hodgson (who U picked up on waivers a couple seasons ago) and so far I am very happy with his production. 20pts in 21 games with a 7.88AvR.
The AVS in my game are riding Duchene and Stastny, neither are available. I beat them in the finals last year (year 4) and they went far in year 3 as well. But ealier in season two I was able to get Nabokov out of the AVS when they had unhappiness problems.

Seems like the Avs are having similar problems in my game, lots of unhappiness. Looks like they would trade Craig Anderson but he is on the IR for another 3month with a UCL tear...quite risky me thinks

blueshirtnParis · Post by **blueshirtnParis** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 1:23 pm

blueshirtnParis wrote:
tksolway wrote:
eric1985 wrote:So I had a questionfor all those past the third season or so. does Matt Duchene become easy to obtain? for two season he appeared to be unhappy so I scooped him up for Cody Hodgson (who U picked up on waivers a couple seasons ago) and so far I am very happy with his production. 20pts in 21 games with a 7.88AvR.
The AVS in my game are riding Duchene and Stastny, neither are available. I beat them in the finals last year (year 4) and they went far in year 3 as well. But ealier in season two I was able to get Nabokov out of the AVS when they had unhappiness problems.
Seems like the Avs are having similar problems in my game, lots of unhappiness. Looks like they would trade Craig Anderson but he is on the IR for another 3month with a UCL tear...quite risky me thinks

So I did it, traded for Anderson who is on the shelf for 3months for Enstrom. Hate giving up an offensive dman but he was just a soft, give away machine and I have the Malakov regen tearing it up in the AHL.

Funny thing, team went on a nice winning streak with a very low GAA after the trade...maybe the problem was Enstrom lol

Post by **joehelmer** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 1:54 pm

In a game against Phoenix, which I won with 5-3, Scottie Upshall in Phoenix scored a goal from his own defensive zone. Here's screenshots of the goal:

Flying_Buffalo26 · Post by **Flying_Buffalo26** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 2:57 pm

blueshirtnParis wrote:
tksolway wrote:
eric1985 wrote:So I had a questionfor all those past the third season or so. does Matt Duchene become easy to obtain? for two season he appeared to be unhappy so I scooped him up for Cody Hodgson (who U picked up on waivers a couple seasons ago) and so far I am very happy with his production. 20pts in 21 games with a 7.88AvR.
The AVS in my game are riding Duchene and Stastny, neither are available. I beat them in the finals last year (year 4) and they went far in year 3 as well. But ealier in season two I was able to get Nabokov out of the AVS when they had unhappiness problems.
Seems like the Avs are having similar problems in my game, lots of unhappiness.

I am at the beginning of season 3 and the Avs aren't experiencing any problems of that kind in my game... Duchene is getting better with every season: 7.10 AVG in S1 7.60 in S2 and now he is a point/game player with a 8.15 AVG after 20 games...

joehelmer
PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 2:54 pm Post subject:
In a game against Phoenix, which I won with 5-3, Scottie Upshall in Phoenix scored a goal from his own defensive zone. Here's screenshots of the goal:

That happened pretty often to me - not in this challenge so far. Mainly on the PP when someone is trying to clear the puck out of the zone. The opponent's goalie simply moves sideways out of the crest and admits the puck to go in - that's what I always have seen in the "live" game...

Another question to you guys: Anyone had success with Burmistrov? After 1 season in juniors and 1 season in the AHL i finally tried to play him on the Thrashers. He played on the 2nd line but was really bad, so I moved him to the 4th (where he is playing with 38 year old Modin and Aliu) - he is performing much better, also getting time on PP2 with Antopov and Aliu as well.
He has 8 points in 20 games. Aliu has 12 points. Both are eligible for the Calder Trophy.

I guess he has a "minus potential", so it would be interesting to see how he turns out in your games? What makes me a bit unsecure about his future value for the franchise is that he seems to have low trade value, only 3 stars for any team...

blueshirtnParis · Post by **blueshirtnParis** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:00 pm

Flying_Buffalo26 wrote: Another question to you guys: Anyone had success with Burmistrov? After 1 season in juniors and 1 season in the AHL i finally tried to play him on the Thrashers. He played on the 2nd line but was really bad, so I moved him to the 4th (where he is playing with 38 year old Modin and Aliu) - he is performing much better, also getting time on PP2 with Antopov and Aliu as well.
He has 8 points in 20 games. Aliu has 12 points. Both are eligible for the Calder Trophy.

I guess he has a "minus potential", so it would be interesting to see how he turns out in your games? What makes me a bit unsecure about his future value for the franchise is that he seems to have low trade value, only 3 stars for any team...

Uh, you might hate me but I traded him in the first season for Mike Richards. So he was great for me!!!

Flying_Buffalo26 · Post by **Flying_Buffalo26** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:04 pm

blueshirtnParis wrote:
Flying_Buffalo26 wrote: Another question to you guys: Anyone had success with Burmistrov? After 1 season in juniors and 1 season in the AHL i finally tried to play him on the Thrashers. He played on the 2nd line but was really bad, so I moved him to the 4th (where he is playing with 38 year old Modin and Aliu) - he is performing much better, also getting time on PP2 with Antopov and Aliu as well.
He has 8 points in 20 games. Aliu has 12 points. Both are eligible for the Calder Trophy.

I guess he has a "minus potential", so it would be interesting to see how he turns out in your games? What makes me a bit unsecure about his future value for the franchise is that he seems to have low trade value, only 3 stars for any team...
Uh, you might hate me but I traded him in the first season for Mike Richards. So he was great for me!!!

Yes, I hate you - but just a little bit

Nice trade though! I also like your Anderson trade. I would love to trade Enström for a goalie, I am trying all season long, but I am just in November. His contract is expiring and I don't think that I will resign him, so I'll try to get the best for him.

blueshirtnParis · Post by **blueshirtnParis** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:16 pm

Flying_Buffalo26 wrote:
blueshirtnParis wrote:
Flying_Buffalo26 wrote: Another question to you guys: Anyone had success with Burmistrov? After 1 season in juniors and 1 season in the AHL i finally tried to play him on the Thrashers. He played on the 2nd line but was really bad, so I moved him to the 4th (where he is playing with 38 year old Modin and Aliu) - he is performing much better, also getting time on PP2 with Antopov and Aliu as well.
He has 8 points in 20 games. Aliu has 12 points. Both are eligible for the Calder Trophy.

I guess he has a "minus potential", so it would be interesting to see how he turns out in your games? What makes me a bit unsecure about his future value for the franchise is that he seems to have low trade value, only 3 stars for any team...
Uh, you might hate me but I traded him in the first season for Mike Richards. So he was great for me!!!
Yes, I hate you - but just a little bit Nice trade though! I also like your Anderson trade. I would love to trade Enström for a goalie, I am trying all season long, but I am just in November. His contract is expiring and I don't think that I will resign him, so I'll try to get the best for him.

Well I wasn't a big Enstrom hater, though I did notice he was very weak on the puck and was a direct result of goals against, but since we didn't have many other offensive options from the blueline, I stuck with him.

Well since the trade we have gone 8-0-1 and Anderson hasn't played a game. I have a 18yr old taking Enstrom's place. Make your own conclusions...this seems to be one of those additions by subtraction trades.

blueshirtnParis · Post by **blueshirtnParis** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:46 pm

blueshirtnParis wrote:
Flying_Buffalo26 wrote:
blueshirtnParis wrote: Uh, you might hate me but I traded him in the first season for Mike Richards. So he was great for me!!!
Yes, I hate you - but just a little bit Nice trade though! I also like your Anderson trade. I would love to trade Enström for a goalie, I am trying all season long, but I am just in November. His contract is expiring and I don't think that I will resign him, so I'll try to get the best for him.
Well I wasn't a big Enstrom hater, though I did notice he was very weak on the puck and was a direct result of goals against, but since we didn't have many other offensive options from the blueline, I stuck with him.

Well since the trade we have gone 8-0-1 and Anderson hasn't played a game. I have a 18yr old taking Enstrom's place. Make your own conclusions...this seems to be one of those additions by subtraction trades.

So after trading Enstrom for an injured Anderson I went 14-0-3. Pavelec played in all games and saw his sv% rise from .859 to .877. So its not like he was tearing it up but the team GAA went from 4.65 to 3.67. The replacement for Enstrom was my 24th pick of last years draft, so a 18yr old with a current ability of 99 (guy should be playing in the EHCL realistically).

So Enstrom.....you ARE the weakest link!!!!!

Anderson is 1 month away from coming back so things should get really interesting then.

MacPhal · Post by **MacPhal** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:29 pm

Hey all! looks like i have a bit more free time so ill be giving this one ago.

Thrashers:

Well im pretty happy with the staff overall. Fired one AC and hired Jere Lehtinen. Coaching forwards 20 and working with youngsters 19, so i think he'll really work out with this young foward group. Fired the AGM too and replaced him with Hanlon. Scouts were nice, fired one and hired two.

About to start training camp and right now its looking like:

Ladd-Antropov-Litttle
Dawes-Slater-Bergfors
Eager-Krog-Thorburn
Boulton-Stewart-Modin

Enstrom-Bogosian
Oduya-Buffy
Hainsey-Sopel

Mason-MacIntyre

Meyer-Peverley-? as extras

Im going to be sending Pavelec, Kane and Burmistrov down, but ill give them a chance in training camp first.

The biggest thing i don't like is no one can take a faceoff! The highest was 14 with Slater, then 4 people with 12 and a few with 10! So i called up Krog mainly because he has a 16 in faceoffs. Antronov only has a 10 so im getting Little to take the faceoffs with a 12. *sighs* PKing is going to be a pain when you can't win the puck and clear it.

Wolves:

Im totally redoing the coaching staff. There coaches suck! And with that and Pavelec, Kane and Burmistrov they should do well.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:33 pm

After not touching my game for about a week, I'm back in it.

Add me to the Enstrom Haters Club. He's just not that effective. He's barely clearing a 7.00 average rating in my game. His $3.75M in yearly salary could definitely be put to better use elsewhere. Right now I'm debating on whether I should ship out Enstrom or Peverly once I'm able to make my first trade (I'm still in the first season). Oduya and Sopel are both pretty weak (weaker than Enstrom) but I never expected too much from them.

Post by **joehelmer** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 9:41 pm

Enström has been doing 30 points (7+23) in 47 games and a average rating of 7.32, but also is -10 in +/-.

Don't know what to do with him but he might be a good bait for season two.

eric1985 · Post by **eric1985** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:39 am

I like entrom so far. he works good for me as a #2-4 d-man. 205 pts in 407 games. 7.43 AvR the 5 seasons and 34 games.

tksolway · Post by **tksolway** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:42 pm

Sean Couturier was picked fist overall by the Stars, here is how he looks after four years.

Pretty naff, glad he wasn't my future.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:00 pm

I'm targeting Landeskog if he's still available when it comes my turn to draft.

blueshirtnParis · Post by **blueshirtnParis** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:07 pm

bruins72 wrote:I'm targeting Landeskog if he's still available when it comes my turn to draft.

I took Nugent-Hopkins

Huge upside...but so-so performance so far.

tksolway · Post by **tksolway** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:59 pm

That's about where he is in my game at the moment as well 13s-14s across the board. I don't have a single draft pic from those first two drafts playing on my team. I think I have a couple players playing as depth on my farm team, but that's it.

Post by **CeeBee** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:09 pm

Even though I'm not playing the challenge I do have a game going with the Florida Panthers and I did draft Couturier. He's doing great in junior but I have not signed him yet and he can do one more year in junior so I may not sign him till next year. By then I'm hoping to have a good handle on his developement or lack of.

Flying_Buffalo26 · Post by **Flying_Buffalo26** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:00 pm

bruins72 wrote:I'm targeting Landeskog if he's still available when it comes my turn to draft.

Pretty good choice, I guess. I picked him with pick #5 although he was only ranked 15th. Nowadays - he is 20 and in his last year of juniors (he is a 2points/game player for Kitchener with a ~9.10 AVG) - my scouts see him as a 2nd liner and his stats look pretty decent. I am pretty sure he will make the top 6 in the next two years. He could be a nice addition to the 3rd line as well. He should do well in both PK and PP.

In conclusion: I would really recommend to take him if you can!

I already posted that I decided to sign Pahlsson from FA. That was a more than lucky aquisition. He is putting up huge numbers together with Eager and Thorburn, even though he is playing against the top line night in and out. He also seems to be a PK-beast. When he is on the ice we seldomly get a PP goal against. Ladd - playing as his winger on the PK - already scored 3 or 4 shorties this season. I really love this guy, the only dowside is that he is already 34 years old. Hopefully he will be good for 2 more years.

jesusrocks150 · Post by **jesusrocks150** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:31 pm

I've been playing this game (EHM and EHM '05) with pretty good results for years...then comes along this game (I took a decent Pens team and missed the playoffs my first year) and then comes along this challenge!! I don't know what some of you folks are doing, but I must be doing the complete opposite.

After spending around 4 hours just in assigning tactics (I assigned unit tactics after creating my own lines), I started the season a dismal 0-6 - Near the bottom of the league in most stats - goals for average (a little over 2.5), gaa (around 3.5), PP (<10), and I'm middle of the pack in PK (around 83). I've rebounded somewhat after adjusting some of my tactics and went 4-1-3 in my next 8 games (currently 4-7-3) - I'm around 12th, 13th in the East (surprisingly that's where the Pens are hovering as well...their pretty good in real life, but not so much in this game). Antropov is in the top 5 in the league in scoring (I believe he has 20 points in 14 games), but he's also racked up a lot of PIM.

Hopefully I'll reach the 20 game point by the weekend and I'll post some screenshots.

jesusrocks150 · Post by **jesusrocks150** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 1:09 pm

Mods - Would you please combine this to my prior post?

What I meant to say is that I would upload my stats once I reach the end of the 1st quarter. I suppose I'll still take screenshots in the event someone asks for them (but I won't post them).

blueshirtnParis · Post by **blueshirtnParis** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 3:39 pm

jesusrocks150 wrote:I've been playing this game (EHM and EHM '05) with pretty good results for years...then comes along this game (I took a decent Pens team and missed the playoffs my first year) and then comes along this challenge!! I don't know what some of you folks are doing, but I must be doing the complete opposite.

Don't worry too much. This team is young and has a few holes you can plug> I was 2nd to last the first season and was 2nd in the next season>

First season is mostly going through the motions, trying to find some good tactics, understanding what kind of players you have and giving them some time to mature.

tksolway · Post by **tksolway** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 6:03 pm

Sometimes this game makes me cry

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 6:10 pm

The Islanders? Why, oh why?

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 7:51 pm

Okay, so I finally finished the regular season on my first season. Antropov tied for 3rd in the league in points with 117 points. Bergfors almost hit 50 goals but kind of got snake-bit at the end of the season. He finished with 48 goals. Boulton had an insane 1053 PIM. Speaking of Boulton, I love my third line of Boulton - Stewart - Thorburn. These guys know their role and do it well!

So we snuck into the playoffs. We didn't clinch our spot until the season ended. We had played our last game and we had to wait until the Flyers played the next day. If the Flyers won their game, we would have been out. If they got an OT loss (1 point) we would have tied but we would've locked up the 8th playoff spot because of our Goals For being higher (I think). We got matched up with the Presidents Trophy-winning Capitals in the first round. Ovechkin and Semin were 1 & 2 in scoring in the league. They beat us in the first game and we've won the next three. That's where I'm at now. I'm interested to see what this team can do! I'm also worried that I may have hurt myself by finishing as well as we did. No top draft pick for us!

jesusrocks150 · Post by **jesusrocks150** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:00 pm

How in the world are you getting this team to win!!??