Challenge 13: Nashville Predators (Discussion Thread)

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Tue May 26, 2009 2:51 am

thecupismine wrote:Quick question: I'm not yet in my first off-season, but I'd like to know whether or not trading for injured players is allowed in this challenge. Personally, I find trading for injured players makes the game a lot easier than it should be (acquiring guys like Ovechkin all of a sudden only requires a good top four d-man or top 6 forward along with spare parts) but want to know so that I'm on an even playnig field with my opponents.

In regards to the actual challenge, my season has been somewhat of a comedy. I have the worst special teams in the league (bottom 5 powerplay and penalty kill), yet I'm still in the playoffs, closing in on 4th place. I'm hoping to fix the special teams with a better goalie (pk) and better tactics that suit my team (which I can hopefully change as well, to an extent).

Let's just say that while it isn't specifically spelled out in the rules (maybe it should be?), trading for injured players is frowned upon. As you say, it's a lot easier... to easy really. It's not in the spirit of the challenge. It's a cheap tactic. So if you felt the need to gain an advantage by trading for an injured Ovechkin or Lundqvist, when you know you'd never be able to acquire them otherwise, it's something that would be hard for people to prove or catch you doing but wouldn't it be a hollow victory?

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Tue May 26, 2009 2:53 am

Lidas wrote:... and there goes Arnott for three weeks.

I now have 6 players on IR, including my first (Carter), second (Arnott), third (Wilson), and fourth line center (Bonk). This will be interesting, I also don't have that many interesting centers to call up. O'Reilly?

WOW! That's rough! It's a good test of your team's depth. Good luck!

thecupismine · Post by **thecupismine** » Tue May 26, 2009 4:01 am

bruins72 wrote:
thecupismine wrote:Quick question: I'm not yet in my first off-season, but I'd like to know whether or not trading for injured players is allowed in this challenge. Personally, I find trading for injured players makes the game a lot easier than it should be (acquiring guys like Ovechkin all of a sudden only requires a good top four d-man or top 6 forward along with spare parts) but want to know so that I'm on an even playnig field with my opponents.

In regards to the actual challenge, my season has been somewhat of a comedy. I have the worst special teams in the league (bottom 5 powerplay and penalty kill), yet I'm still in the playoffs, closing in on 4th place. I'm hoping to fix the special teams with a better goalie (pk) and better tactics that suit my team (which I can hopefully change as well, to an extent).
Let's just say that while it isn't specifically spelled out in the rules (maybe it should be?), trading for injured players is frowned upon. As you say, it's a lot easier... to easy really. It's not in the spirit of the challenge. It's a cheap tactic. So if you felt the need to gain an advantage by trading for an injured Ovechkin or Lundqvist, when you know you'd never be able to acquire them otherwise, it's something that would be hard for people to prove or catch you doing but wouldn't it be a hollow victory?

As long as it's mutually understood and most people play this way, I'm 100% fine with it. I'm not all too familiar with challenges and was wondering what the general concensus was. If most people traded for injured players, I had a few things planned this off-season (trading for Luongo being my number 1 priority). Now that I've scratched that off I have a few other moves planned that I'm going to attempt. Thanks for the info!

Captcrunch · Post by **Captcrunch** » Tue May 26, 2009 5:30 am

Wow...

Both Suter and Hamhuis are hurt. I'm running on the following defensive lines:

De Vries - Weber
Koistinen - Klein
Zanon - Belak

Wish me luck... lol

In other news, Denis Kulyash is looking like a million bucks (18 speed, 17 stamina and 20 slapshot?) but I'm going to loose him because his contract option with the Preds expires in April 2007... boo!

Also, all members of my first line (nicknamed the SAD line... because its sad that 3 men should carry a team this way) are respectively 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the league for points.

thunderbug · Post by **thunderbug** » Tue May 26, 2009 6:26 am

Captcrunch, why can't you just renew him?

Captcrunch · Post by **Captcrunch** » Tue May 26, 2009 6:32 am

thunderbug wrote:Captcrunch, why can't you just renew him?

I did not initially sign him so he falls under the category "unsigned prospect"

pforsbergfan9 · Post by **pforsbergfan9** » Tue May 26, 2009 6:53 am

Hey all, long time lurker here and I just wanted people to know that the paring down the rules a bit helped me decide to finally join a challenge. I must say that I picked a terrible time to start one. After my first 20 games I think I went 2-15-3? Something like that. Anyways, I do enjoy the challenge and I think that the rules are helping me refine my game a bit and help me make better decisions and its clear to see how I went wrong and so on and so forth. I just wanted to say great job to all of the people who put this together as well as Lidas for the work he puts into the rosters. Round of applause for everyone involved. And a round of applause for anyone who can get to at least .500 at the end of the first season.

thunderbug · Post by **thunderbug** » Tue May 26, 2009 6:54 am

You didn't initially sign him? You had to have signed him to get him on your team. Do you mean his contract has lapsed?

thecupismine · Post by **thecupismine** » Tue May 26, 2009 7:04 am

Quick note: I made the playoffs but was swept as Dan Ellis had a GAA of around 5 with a save percentage of 86%. Just when I thought I was going to win a game (came back from 3-0 to 5-4) he blows the lead and loses in the first minutes of OT. Also worthy of note is that Esche was signed by Vancouver as Luongo got hurt. The two teams in the finals, the Canucks and Devils, both have the top goalies in the league but both of them are injured. Try and figure that one out, especially Vancouver as Luongo got injured on the last game of the season and hasn't played since.

eternium85 · Post by **eternium85** » Tue May 26, 2009 7:23 am

It's the midway mark in season 3 and I'm currently first in the conference, but it's a tight battle as I have only 5 points more than the 5th seeded and 10 points more than the 9th seeded. My aim is still the playoffs and winning more than 4 wins in it.
Kulyash has been a great add to my team and he actually has the best Avg rating of my defense with 8.10. In 40 games he has put up 25 points from which 17 points are PP points.

The 2009 Draft is kind of interesting, majority of the players are from Europe. Actually it's a battle of Sweden and Russia as it seems that allmost every other player is from those countries.
Leading the pack is a LW David Boutin, France! So my next question is that who is this guy? Is he a regen of someone we know that has been born in France or is he just a random regen?

mustardstew · Post by **mustardstew** » Tue May 26, 2009 10:23 am

Just beginning season 2 (geez I'm slow, LOL)... fought to a .500 record after 8 games

- without Erat!

But just lost Axelsson for 3 months... will be interesting to see, as he had changed the possession dynamic, and, of course, the PK... but I should get Erat back soon...

Both Halak (after his 1st start) and Ellis (who is responding to the push) have played well... Sullivan, Legwand and Jessiman are playing very well as my 2nd line... waiting for Erat to come back to put my 1st line together - Arnott isn't playing *as* well...

The name of this season is "Organizational Depth"

brought in Kulyash, Shafigulen and Andersson - all big improvements over existing players. Enough that I felt comfortable trading Nichol and Ward to Colorado for Mike Vernace and Ryan Wilson... 2 young D who provide an upgrade over Milwaukee's D, after Klein (and Laakso...)... never had them... if they stay AHL forever, it'll be better than what we start with.

Signed Garlock (of Challenge 12 fame) - he leads Milwaukee in pts, etc. and Yelle (who shows in my depth chart above Bonk?) for cheap money... and Axe (Tier 3, all Good rep.)...

So my PP, unlike last season, is sputtering... the jury's still out on the PK...

mulla14 · Post by **mulla14** » Tue May 26, 2009 10:39 am

a 2??? i prayed for the day i'd never see a 2 next to my players name but ellis!! darn you ellis a 2!! 8 goals in 2 quarters, get me ed belfour with 2 broken legs and his fingers missing and id be delighted!!...... had to let steam off sorry haha. to be fair ellis has had about 3 10s in 16 games and has been as horrific as i expected, he's just bad not terrible

mulla14 · Post by **mulla14** » Tue May 26, 2009 10:42 am

pforsbergfan9 wrote:Hey all, long time lurker here and I just wanted people to know that the paring down the rules a bit helped me decide to finally join a challenge. I must say that I picked a terrible time to start one. After my first 20 games I think I went 2-15-3? Something like that. Anyways, I do enjoy the challenge and I think that the rules are helping me refine my game a bit and help me make better decisions and its clear to see how I went wrong and so on and so forth. I just wanted to say great job to all of the people who put this together as well as Lidas for the work he puts into the rosters. Round of applause for everyone involved. And a round of applause for anyone who can get to at least .500 at the end of the first season.

Coulnt agree more, thanks for making ehm even more interesting. i was starting to get bored of it till i found this site and the challenges well done everyone invlved!

mustardstew · Post by **mustardstew** » Tue May 26, 2009 11:03 am

wow - a 2? I wondered if that was possible, LOL, but darn!

sorry about he laugh... my sympathies

mulla14 · Post by **mulla14** » Tue May 26, 2009 11:16 am

mustardstew wrote:wow - a 2? I wondered if that was possible, LOL, but darn!

sorry about he laugh... my sympathies

I'd laugh too if it wasnt my team!! and i didnt think it was possible either, he wasnt injured or anything. maybe his wife is cheating on him or something

Captcrunch · Post by **Captcrunch** » Tue May 26, 2009 12:43 pm

thunderbug wrote:You didn't initially sign him? You had to have signed him to get him on your team. Do you mean his contract has lapsed?

He is considered an unsigned prospect and plays in Russia. My right over him expires in April 2007 and since:

5.4 You may sign your unsigned prospects (prospects who have never previously been contracted to your challenge team) at any point after starting the game until 1 October (inclusive). Further, you may also sign your unsigned prospects from 1 May until the following 1 October.

I will only be able to start negociation on the following May 1, by which point he will be considered an UFA (unless I am mistaken )

eternium85 · Post by **eternium85** » Tue May 26, 2009 12:50 pm

Captcrunch wrote:
thunderbug wrote:You didn't initially sign him? You had to have signed him to get him on your team. Do you mean his contract has lapsed?
He is considered an unsigned prospect and plays in Russia. My right over him expires in April 2007 and since:

5.4 You may sign your unsigned prospects (prospects who have never previously been contracted to your challenge team) at any point after starting the game until 1 October (inclusive). Further, you may also sign your unsigned prospects from 1 May until the following 1 October.

I will only be able to start negociation on the following May 1, by which point he will be considered an UFA (unless I am mistaken )

You won't lose his rights on April 2007. I signed Kulyash in season 2 and he did join my team in season 3. And I believe I signed him in the summer of 2007 so didn't had lost his rights then, so I don't believe you won't either.
And he has been a good signing, I only wish I would have signed him earlier.

Captcrunch · Post by **Captcrunch** » Tue May 26, 2009 1:02 pm

mulla14 wrote:a 2??? i prayed for the day i'd never see a 2 next to my players name but ellis!! darn you ellis a 2!! 8 goals in 2 quarters, get me ed belfour with 2 broken legs and his fingers missing and id be delighted!!...... had to let steam off sorry haha. to be fair ellis has had about 3 10s in 16 games and has been as horrific as i expected, he's just bad not terrible

Hehe. On another hand, if you can take the chance to put him through waivers, he seems to respond well to being relegated to the AHL.

Captcrunch · Post by **Captcrunch** » Tue May 26, 2009 1:04 pm

eternium85 wrote:
Captcrunch wrote:
thunderbug wrote:You didn't initially sign him? You had to have signed him to get him on your team. Do you mean his contract has lapsed?
He is considered an unsigned prospect and plays in Russia. My right over him expires in April 2007 and since:

5.4 You may sign your unsigned prospects (prospects who have never previously been contracted to your challenge team) at any point after starting the game until 1 October (inclusive). Further, you may also sign your unsigned prospects from 1 May until the following 1 October.

I will only be able to start negociation on the following May 1, by which point he will be considered an UFA (unless I am mistaken )
You won't lose his rights on April 2007. I signed Kulyash in season 2 and he did join my team in season 3. And I believe I signed him in the summer of 2007 so didn't had lost his rights then, so I don't believe you won't either.
And he has been a good signing, I only wish I would have signed him earlier.

Ahh!

I'll pray then!

Signing him will be the first thing I do

jbsnadb · Post by **jbsnadb** » Tue May 26, 2009 1:22 pm

Captcrunch,

IIRC, his contract with his current team expires in April, and he will become a UFA in that league.

His rights should remain with you. In fact, I still retain his rights in season two. Signing him may be extremely difficult, since he is currently making $2.23m in the RSL.

Captcrunch · Post by **Captcrunch** » Tue May 26, 2009 1:28 pm

jbsnadb wrote:Captcrunch,

IIRC, his contract with his current team expires in April, and he will become a UFA in that league.

His rights should remain with you. In fact, I still retain his rights in season two. Signing him may be extremely difficult, since he is currently making $2.23m in the RSL.

Cool! In other news, he decided not top resign with CSKA, so maybe he's planning to come to north america!

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Tue May 26, 2009 2:51 pm

pforsbergfan9 wrote:Hey all, long time lurker here and I just wanted people to know that the paring down the rules a bit helped me decide to finally join a challenge. I must say that I picked a terrible time to start one. After my first 20 games I think I went 2-15-3? Something like that. Anyways, I do enjoy the challenge and I think that the rules are helping me refine my game a bit and help me make better decisions and its clear to see how I went wrong and so on and so forth. I just wanted to say great job to all of the people who put this together as well as Lidas for the work he puts into the rosters. Round of applause for everyone involved. And a round of applause for anyone who can get to at least .500 at the end of the first season.

I'm glad to see yet another new person participating in the challenges!

Also, all of you who have just joined in on the challenges, don't be shy about joining in on the discussion here. That's half the fun of the challenges!

jbsnadb · Post by **jbsnadb** » Tue May 26, 2009 4:52 pm

First 20 of season two is in the books, and after getting off to a nice 2-0-1 start, we sit at the quarter-pole at 7-9-4. Surprisingly though, I have a +6 goal differential. My penalty kill is much improved with the additions of Marty Murray and Dennis Kulyash, but my powerplay (much unchanged from last year) has been subpar at best and dropping.

Olaf Kolzig has been less than impressive, which has been highly disappointing, but Dan Ellis has played very well, going 5-5-2 with a 2.82 GAA (anything under 3.00 for a team I'm leading is very welcome!). Looks like he'll be my guy unless something good comes along.

The top line has been as expected, but it's the second line that has been a pleasant surprise. Hugh Jessiman has stepped up nicely (10-9-19, 8.00). Simon Despres (my 5th overall choice) has played well in limited minutes on the third pairing, with the second highest +/- on the team (+5).

We just need to win a few more of the games that are going into OT. We're 0-0-4 after regulation time.

I'm still upset over some of the deals people have been able to pull off. I offered WAY MORE for Fluery, and couldn't get him

Syvis · Post by **Syvis** » Tue May 26, 2009 5:34 pm

Thank god the first season is over. I finished dead last in the league so Tavares is probably heading my way. Ellis was absolutely horrible. GAA 3.60 and save percentage of 88,2. Rinne was even worse. Things were going pretty well before Sullivan got injured for two months and then we just nose dived. If I get Tavares, I'll try to move Arnott or Legwand to get a #1 goalie or some wingers who can actually score couple of goals.

One of the biggest surprises was Joel Ward. He scored 47 points playing in the third and second line. Colin Wilson also had a nice season as he scored 41 poitns and developed a lot. Suter and Weber were good so I have pretty good foundation on defense. Scott Nichol and Vernon Fiddler were horrible. Nichol was the first player ever on my team to finish with average rating of under 6. His NHL-career in Nashville is definately over.

Hopefully I can make the playoffs the next season with improved team.

jbsnadb · Post by **jbsnadb** » Tue May 26, 2009 5:36 pm

I should keep my darn mouth shut. In game 21, Kulyash and Despres were both -2 in a 3-0 shutout clunker.