Challenge 13: Nashville Predators (Discussion Thread)

thunderbug · Post by **thunderbug** » Fri May 08, 2009 4:29 pm

Alright so far the seasons looking good, except Arnott is made of glass. The Coyotes made 2 trade offers on the same day. First one was Yandle for a 2nd and the other was Paetsch for a 4th. They are the bottom of the West.

Post by **joehelmer** » Fri May 08, 2009 4:31 pm

I noticed that when I sign free agents one player's reputation was degraded from "Good" to "Okay".

Is it because of my team's reputation?

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri May 08, 2009 4:46 pm

Really? I've never seen that before. Strange.

Post by **Lidas** » Fri May 08, 2009 4:55 pm

Finished 1st season. Sullivan finished at 75 goals (75+56) Not bad... Arnott got 120 pts (27+93). but he was out for 9 games.

I reached the playoffs, but lost in the 7th game against the 'nucks. Got 22nd pick in the draft.
Chose between Paradis and Lander for my first pick. Lander looked better, but Paradis had a brighter future projected. Went with Paradis, but I doubt that he will take a spot in a couple of season. Kind of regret my pick now. I hadnt checked how many picks I had before entering the draft, so I was surprised that new picks just kept popping up! 13 picks!

Just went through the first part of the silly season, and I went with T3. Due to the lack of depth, I wanted to get a bunch of new players in. Went with a backup goalie, a goal-scoring LW for my 2nd line and a 2-way LW for my 3rd/4th line. Was pondering T4 for a while, but decided to take the safest route. I'll probably regret it when I see all the "goodies" on waivers.

AvesFan101 · Post by **AvesFan101** » Fri May 08, 2009 5:07 pm

Season Two Off-Season:

Trade #1:
To New Jersey:
(F) - Jordan Tootoo
(D) - Wade Belak

To Nashville:
(D) - Bryce Salvadore
(F) - Jay Pandolfo

Trade #2:
To Minnesota:
(G) - Jeremy Smith
(D) - Jonathan Blum

To Nashville:
(G) - Niklas Backstrom

UFA Signing
(F) - Craig Adams
(G) - Karol Krizan

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri May 08, 2009 5:23 pm

AvesFan101 wrote: (G) - Karol Krizan

Was he available to transfer over immediately or do you have to wait for a Euro contract to expire?

Also, I noticed your trades were listed in your "off-season moves". I hope these were done between July 1st and July 15th if they were done in the off-season. The second season (when you're first allowed to trade) doesn't begin until July 1st and there is a No Trade Period from July 15th until October 15th.

Post by **joehelmer** » Fri May 08, 2009 5:58 pm

Here's the trade that I did.

UFAs (T3):
Mike York
Andrew Fournier
Sean O'Connor

Post by **getzlaf15** » Fri May 08, 2009 6:12 pm

I was going to try trade for Varlamov in the off-season too... I'm only 55 games into my 1st year though at the moment...

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri May 08, 2009 6:28 pm

Looks like everyone is going after Varlamov. Krizan looks pretty good though, especially if he comes over right away. I'm not sure who I'll go after when the time comes. I definitely need goaltending help though!

AvesFan101 · Post by **AvesFan101** » Fri May 08, 2009 6:38 pm

bruins72 wrote:
AvesFan101 wrote: (G) - Karol Krizan
Was he available to transfer over immediately or do you have to wait for a Euro contract to expire?

Also, I noticed your trades were listed in your "off-season moves". I hope these were done between July 1st and July 15th if they were done in the off-season. The second season (when you're first allowed to trade) doesn't begin until July 1st and there is a No Trade Period from July 15th until October 15th.

Both were done on July 7th

Post by **joehelmer** » Fri May 08, 2009 7:03 pm

Varlamov is now my number one goalie in the team report and he's the number five prospect.

This second season will be very fun!

thunderbug · Post by **thunderbug** » Fri May 08, 2009 7:08 pm

Am I the only one who is actually ok with how Ellis is playing? Don't get me wrong he's not the best but he's at least a stopgap until I get something better. Now Rinne just plain sucks. BTW, my first quarter is in the books. I've been busy with school and work recently and the boys have really come together. I'd like them to continue on the roll they are on, but I'm not sure if that will happen with Arnott missing playing time like he is. We also seem to have problems with the Dead things.

thunderbug · Post by **thunderbug** » Fri May 08, 2009 7:14 pm

joehelmer wrote:Varlamov is now my number one goalie in the team report and he's the number five prospect.

This second season will be very fun!

Good luck with Varlamov, my scouts aren't too high on him. I've been considering sticking with Ellis till Smith is ready and then use Pickard/Ellis as the backup. In the offseason I'll consider offers for Rinne.

Post by **joehelmer** » Fri May 08, 2009 7:19 pm

I decided to scout Varlamov when I had signed him.

The three that has sent their reports says that he is a starting goalie prospect and that he's "a poor man's" either Tomas Vokoun or Robert Esche.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri May 08, 2009 8:51 pm

Ellis will seem okay for a while but then he'll start to stink up the joint. When he has an off game he is terrible!

I'm going to scout Varlamov but I'd like to try and acquire somebody different than everyone else playing.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Fri May 08, 2009 10:15 pm

Yeah... I don't want the same as everyone else... Kari Lehtonen is currently in the AHL in my game... The Thrashers claimed Khabibulin off waivers and i'm just hoping that during the time i can trade, he will be available to trade with!

Post by **joehelmer** » Sat May 09, 2009 12:50 am

Wow, what a start of season 2 my players seems to have.

In the first games we were struggling, but then we suddenly start to win, among our wins there is a win against Devils with 5-4.

And when october was over Arnott got the award for the best offensive player of the month, and Varlamov got the rookie of the month award after 10 games and 6 wins. And Arnott didn't even won a single weekly award!

Post by **Manimal** » Sat May 09, 2009 11:55 am

I finally had time to finish the first segment and boy do we suck!
I can't get the team going and the losses mount up. At least Arnott's coming back soon

eternium85 · Post by **eternium85** » Sat May 09, 2009 2:47 pm

Yep, started my first Challenge. And, Manimal, I feel you my brother, I feel you. Eagerly waiting for that Draft day

Well, I quess I could try tweaking the tactics...

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Sat May 09, 2009 6:47 pm

Tactics mean more than ever in this challenge. You've really got to get the most out of the players you have.

mustardstew · Post by **mustardstew** » Sat May 09, 2009 7:35 pm

You are not kidding - one bad setting and you're done, lol...

Tough, tough game... random stuff through the first 20:

Thank god for power plays - half my goals came on the power play... which means I still haven't figured out even strength

Rinne has been the better goalie... but he'll have 3 good games then stink it up with a 4 in the 1st period... Ellis really stinks for me...

Platanov was an excellent signing... Ellison not so much... and Ward has been an very good surprise for me as well!!!

And Sullivan, aside from missing a couple of weeks, has really performed badly... one 9 (opening night), a couple of sevens and 6s and 5s... I've tried a lot with him to no avail... lines, switch wings... my powerplay dropped like a rock putting him back on it

uggh...

eternium85 · Post by **eternium85** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:10 pm

It's been a little better from games 21 to 40, than the first 20. I still need to get my special teams going, I really do suck at both of them, below 80% in PK and a little over 10% in PP. Just can't seem to find the best suited tactics for the team. Or maybe it's the player chemistry...

Peterman5000 · Post by **Peterman5000** » Sat May 09, 2009 11:59 pm

Ellis has good numbers overall, but he never wins the big game.

That's the main reason I dealt for Varlamov.

I wanted a goaltender with a higher ceiling of ability.

The defense is very good, just need a goalie that can change games.

Post by **Lidas** » Sun May 10, 2009 1:44 am

Peterman5000 wrote:just need a goalie that can change games.

That's just what I did. I didnt go for a goalie prospect like I've seen many here do (Varlamov).
Instead I went for an already established one. A bit old, but I hope he will perform well.

And his name is...

*drumroll*

Evgeni Nabokov!

Rougesang · Post by **Rougesang** » Sun May 10, 2009 8:14 pm

nice, Nabokov should turn many games to your favor!