EHM The Blue Line

I just got these two messages on the same day after making a trade :

Yeah, that's kind of funny.

Well just because you are happy our team aquires lets say Crosby, doesnt mean you like the fact you dont have any 1 round draft picks the next 15 years or so .

I actually get the first message quite alot when playing in the NHL - I am only just getting used to the trading system, so I am having a hard time knowing what stuff is "worth".

Is the trade I made here really that bad??

I mean, Thornton is obviously a very good player, so I can't see why a 2nd line defenseman and two picks is that big of a deal?

Thornton was injured for 5 months though, that is why he was available, so maybe that means something

What do people think? Is it a very bad trade?

First, he is injured for 5 monthes... So you'll pay him for nothing during this time. Then, you can't predict how well he will recover from his injury, so there's a danger. Finally, what's the use of having Thornton if you're the Leafs? You already have Mats Sundin, so even if the deal itself sounds fair, you have absolutely no interest in doing this IMO. Furthermore, the Leafs don't have a lot of young talented players, so letting a 1st and a 3rd round pick go is maybe not a really good idea... So even if the trade itself is fair, i think it's a bad trade for you, according to what you already have and what you need.

I can't comment the second trade, as i can't see the pic

Shadd666 wrote:First, he is injured for 5 monthes... So you'll pay him for nothing during this time. Then, you can't predict how well he will recover from his injury, so there's a danger.

Yeah, you are right about that

Shadd666 wrote:Finally, what's the use of having Thornton if you're the Leafs? You already have Mats Sundin, so even if the deal itself sounds fair, you have absolutely no interest in doing this IMO.

I kind of wanted him to take over Sundins spot - as he will likely retire soon, but I guess it would be better to wait until he actually does.

Shadd666 wrote:Furthermore, the Leafs don't have a lot of young talented players, so letting a 1st and a 3rd round pick go is maybe not a really good idea... So even if the trade itself is fair, i think it's a bad trade for you, according to what you already have and what you need.

Good point.

Shadd666 wrote:I can't comment the second trade, as i can't see the pic

The second pic is just the same fans telling how exited they are that Thornton has joined the club, which is pretty ironic as they have the same day critizised me for the trade

ElQuapo wrote:The second pic is just the same fans telling how exited they are that Thornton has joined the club, which is pretty ironic as they have the same day critizised me for the trade

Yeah, fans will praise you if you bring in a player with a high reputation, which is the case of Thornton It will also boost your merchandising sales So they are happy he came in But they are unhappy with your trade anyway

ElQuapo wrote:

Shadd666 wrote:Finally, what's the use of having Thornton if you're the Leafs? You already have Mats Sundin, so even if the deal itself sounds fair, you have absolutely no interest in doing this IMO.

I kind of wanted him to take over Sundins spot - as he will likely retire soon, but I guess it would be better to wait until he actually does.

Sundin is still a great player, and will play at least one more season, maybe 2 or 3 if he can. So i guess you'd better devellop a young talented center, or draft one, to replace him. Or maybe make a trade to land a young talented prospect. Crosby would be untouchable, but others may be available. Take a look in the AHL or in the major juniors, and i'm sure you'll find some good center prospects that you can trade for and who would be ready at once or at least next season to play in the NHL. This way they'll play 2nd line to learn behind this great player that Sundin is, and would be ready to take the 1st line role once he retires.

I think it would have been a better strategy IMO By the way, what is done is done! And once Joe will recover from his injury, you will have a solid one-two punch at center!

Shadd666 wrote:Sundin is still a great player, and will play at least one more season, maybe 2 or 3 if he can.

He has been absolutely brilliant in my game. More than 1 point pr. game and 9,55 average rating

Shadd666 wrote:So i guess you'd better devellop a young talented center, or draft one, to replace him. Or maybe make a trade to land a young talented prospect. Crosby would be untouchable, but others may be available. Take a look in the AHL or in the major juniors, and i'm sure you'll find some good center prospects that you can trade for and who would be ready at once or at least next season to play in the NHL. This way they'll play 2nd line to learn behind this great player that Sundin is, and would be ready to take the 1st line role once he retires.

Sounds like a good idea, will try doing that in my next game - this is mostly a test game, I am waiting till the next unfaking patch until I start my career game for real.

I have also been wondering - would having an amazing 1st line and an ok 2nd line be best? Or would having 2 equally good 1st and 2nd lines also be a good tactic?

ElQuapo wrote:would having an amazing 1st line and an ok 2nd line be best? Or would having 2 equally good 1st and 2nd lines also be a good tactic?

An amazing first line would probably score every game. But the day they are not really well in the game or the oppsoition does a great job to shut down your top-line, you should end the game with a shootout and a violent loss in your face!

Two good lines will give you more flexibility and more diversity of offensive fire, and so would be harder to shut-down. But a top goalie on a good day (think Brodeur, Kipper, etc) should just laugh at them and make a shutout.

Conclusion: there's no way that is 100% of the time better than the other. So do with what you have and try to improve every weakness without loosing your strengths. Not always easy, but always fun to try

ElQuapo wrote:2nd line defenseman

Who did you bring in to make Kaberle 2nd line. He's about on par with McCabe, your only other good D man

They see All-Star defenseman, 1st round pick and 3rd pick for All-Star Center plus extra salary that seems to be a bit hefty and maybe not resolving much as far as the team overall goes making the 2st and 3rd tougher to take.

At the same time, yeah they're glad to get a big All-Star Center so they are pysched about that sure.

The two messages represent their reacting to both sides.

Sounds like a steal to me.

I don't think this is unrealistic, if you think about it. It's 'the fans', i.e. a lot of people. How many times have you seen a 'GM N.N. is a genius' and 'N.N., you moron!' threads simultaneously in message boards?

In a first view I think its a good deal....or lets say: Its a steal!!!

It seems that Kaberle was playing in your second D-line and two picks (who are always hard to evaluate) for a league MVP sounds pretty good in my book!!!

But there are always other important things u have to evaluate: how many years left in JT's and Kaberles contracts?? Is the draft considered deep?? What are your team-needs?? and so on....

As for the draft picks: u can always trade other players that u arent playing much for picks.

But right now u have one of the best 1, 2 centers in the league!!!

ElQuapo wrote:I actually get the first message quite alot when playing in the NHL - I am only just getting used to the trading system, so I am having a hard time knowing what stuff is "worth".

Is the trade I made here really that bad??

I mean, Thornton is obviously a very good player, so I can't see why a 2nd line defenseman and two picks is that big of a deal?

Thornton was injured for 5 months though, that is why he was available, so maybe that means something

What do people think? Is it a very bad trade?

You got RIPPED OFF... Kabby is one of the top D-Men.. even though hes really underrated, plus a first and second round draft pick... if Thornton was out for 5 months you could've gotten a way better deal... like for example, Zach Parise was out for 6 months and i got him for Suglobov and Pohl... neither of whom cracked the devils lineup