EHM The Blue Line

The wait is over! We are happy to announce that Challenge 13 officially starts right now! The team we will be coaching is the Nashville Predators.

Before starting the Challenge, please ensure that you read the three rules threads (click here). The rules have completely changed and so it is essential that both new and experienced users thoroughly read the rules in their entirety. To help make things easier, we have written a Cheat Sheet (download here) which summarises the main gameplay rules. Keep on mind, however, that the Cheat Sheet only provides a basic summary of the main rules and that it does not cover everything; nor does it cover anything in detail. Also, make sure you download the latest version (version 5.1) of the Challenge Stats Recording Spreadsheet (download here) as the previous versions of the Recording Sheet are not suitable for the new rules.

Normally we run a poll, enabling users to vote for the team they would like to coach for the Challenge. However, in order to get the Challenge under way without delay, we have decided to choose the Nashville Predators without running a poll. We have never coached the Preds in a Challenge so it seems right to have a fresh team for the fresh new rules. We will of course return to running polls when we choose the team for Challenge 14.

The Challenge deadline is Friday 26th June 2009 at 23:59 GMT. However, if the Challenge is sufficiently popular and there are several users who want to continue playing then we will be happy to extend the Challenge by a further few weeks. We will run a poll closer towards the initial deadline.

I hope everybody enjoys playing with the new rules and that it breathes new life into a competition many of us have been enjoying for nearly four years now. If you have any questions then feel free to ask in the Questions & Feedback Thread.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the how everyone plays this one, especially when we get to season 2 and things really get changed up.

Good luck everyone!

I'm in, as long as i've been around, it's my first challenge, so if i make any mistakes, apologies in advance.

Also... darn, both goalies suck!

I'm jealous. Out of town with a bum computer at home.

Need to fix things ASAP so I can get this new challenge underway. I got very attached to the team I created while testing the new rules with Isles, and I'm anxious to get going with the Preds.

I am in .... shudders at Nashville Roster

Let's rock and roll!

I have read the rules, and accept the challenge.

Now let's see if Radulov is worth anything

getzlaf15 wrote:I'm in, as long as i've been around, it's my first challenge, so if i make any mistakes, apologies in advance.

Also... darn, both goalies suck!

That is really the biggest challenge in this... challenge. Honestly, we're starting with a pretty solid defensive core and a great top scoring line. We've got almost a complete second scoring line. It's easy to put together a good checking third line with the players we've got. Then odds and ends can make up the fourth line. It's just the goaltending that is absolutely horrible!

Glad to have you on board for your first challenge. Don't sweat it if you do poorly. It's kind of expected. Just make sure to stick to the rules. Refer back to the rules here regularly and keep the cheat sheet handy.

jbsnadb wrote:I'm jealous. Out of town with a bum computer at home.

Need to fix things ASAP so I can get this new challenge underway. I got very attached to the team I created while testing the new rules with Isles, and I'm anxious to get going with the Preds.

Oh man! That really stinks. Hope you're able to play soon.

I know what you mean about getting attached to your testing team. I was about 1/3 of the way through my fourth season and I was really enjoying the team I was building. Still, this is a new challenge and it's so much fun when you get to see what other people are doing and compare it to what you're doing with the same team.

AvesFan101 wrote:I am in .... shudders at Nashville Roster

Oh, they're not that bad!

Lidas wrote:Let's rock and roll!

Time for a good break from roster updating, eh?

Peterman5000 wrote: Now let's see if Radulov is worth anything

Good luck in getting him to come over to North America.

The most exciting part of this thread is knowing that you cannot make ANY significant roster changes until June.

Takes the pressure off in making mistakes.

I have to ride out the Jerrod Smithsons and Vernon Fiddlers!!!!!!

I put Martin Erat on Waivers almost right away

bruins72 wrote:

Lidas wrote:Let's rock and roll!

Time for a good break from roster updating, eh?

No break for me...

- but I will slow down a little with the updating. Working on QMJHL now.

As for the challenge, one or two left wingers would be nice. And a keeper of course.

AvesFan101 wrote:I put Martin Erat on Waivers almost right away

Why?

heh

Yeah, I'm not understanding why you'd put Erat on waivers now. I understand that he's overpaid but this team is short on talent and it's not like you have anyone to replace him... or the ability to bring someone else in any time soon.

Each to their own i guesss.

Consistency of 7

I am trying to bring in Unsigned Prospect Matt Ellison to replace him.

Well I'm just about to head into the regular season. Erat is out for 10 days and Tootoo is out for 2 weeks. Sure... why not make this a little more difficult! LOL!

C'mon b! Two weeks is nothing compared to the LTI's we had to endure (twice) with the Isles.

True. It's just an annoyance to start out already shorthanded. Then again, we should all be thankful that we're using this version of the database. The last release had Sullivan on a long-term injury. You didn't get him back for 4 or 6 months (can't remember which).

Are we allowed to sign Radulov... Does the rule mean Nashville in his career, or whilst i have been GM. Because Radulov played for Nashville?

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.

Radulov is considered an "unsigned prospect" or one of your won RFA's. I believe the rule talking about players that you have had under contract and then let their contract expire. Just remember, players that show up on your "unsigned prospects" screen must be signed before October 1st.

Honestly, I will be amazed if anyone gets Radulov to sign in this first season. He doesn't want to play in North America. Of course, even if you got him to agree to sign, I don't think he'd transfer over until the off-season.

He won't transfer till June, that being said he is willing to sign with me but not for the peanuts my board will allow.