Veteran GM help and hints thread

[Cheese]

Ok guys and gals...with the newbs coming onboard I thoght Id ask for any info you may want to share on being a good GM...or in the case of Sample00...an adequate GM.

[Flickered Flame]

The key is either being online (msn) or using your email. As we have seen the past couple weeks, noobs that disappear get booted.

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Ok guys and gals...with the newbs coming onboard I thoght Id ask for any info you may want to share on being a good GM...or in the case of Sample00...an adequate GM.

I hate you..I really really hate you!!!

availability is the key to this game. you cant be online all the time, but make the effort to be on MSN as much as possible.

respond to trades as soon as possible.

the fun part of this game is making trades, so make sure you do your part.

dont be afraid to ask for help when analyzing trades. I still ask all the time, its just that now the person I ask is usually the one trying to rape me on the next deal!!!

[Sample00]

personally, I am also not a big fan of getting trade offers out of the blue. and by this I mean..going to my roster page and seeing a trade offer sitting there without having discussed any trades recently with someone.

I like to discuss trade ideas first before throwing an offer out there.
sometimes these blindsided trade offers arent even in the ballpark.

just my opinion.

[Mango]

- don't underestimate the value of older players. Experience is a major factor.
- don't feel pressured to make a trade if you feel it is unfair. As mentioned before, seek the advice of fellow GMs.
- having a true #1 goalie is very important. In addition, this coming season we'll be dealing with SIM injuries, and therefore, it is vital have a competent backup goalie as well.
- asking questions is a good thing! All of the commissioners are very helpful
- learn the personailites of the GMs. Some of us are very out-going, while others are shy and reserved.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by Sample00

personally, I am also not a big fan of getting trade offers out of the blue. and by this I mean..going to my roster page and seeing a trade offer sitting there without having discussed any trades recently with someone.

I like to discuss trade ideas first before throwing an offer out there.
sometimes these blindsided trade offers arent even in the ballpark.

just my opinion.

I'll second Axel's opinion. Others may prefer getting a bunch of trade offers, but I rather get ones on players we have discussed and/or are on my trade block.

With that, the rejection reason box is a great addition and use it when necessary.

[JiriHrdina]

Don't open a trade negotiation by telling another GM why his player sucks...and then making an offer on that same player.

GMs in the league know their players very well, warts and all, so don't point out why they may have less value in an effort to bring that value down.

My other hint would be don't have untouchables. If you have untouchables it means you have missed opportunities. It is one thing to have a certain price requirement in mind for a player to be moved, but everyone should be tradeable....at a price.

[Cheese]

Make a plan....whatever that plan is and stick wit it....

[Sylvanfan]

Don't be afraid to reject a trade, or tell someone their offer is garbage. Trades and rosters turnover really fast in this league, but the games and the schedule still happen at the same pace. You don't need to overhaul your team in a week, you can take 3 months if that suits your style better. But even if you don't like the offer try to send a response as it is common courtesy though. I'd also reccommend studying the entire league. Learn every player, what their contract is, what their rating is. Check out past successfull teams and study their trading records, and the rosters they had. It takes a lot of time but the knowlege will help you out a lot.

[Cheese]

Do NOT play CPHL Hockey like it is the NHL. Learn player ratings in the Simulator.

The Simulator is God....it may teach you lessons during the course of the year. Pay penance to the Sim.

Spend time EVERY day on MSN or at least every other day.
Check youir email every day.

Always always let the league and other GMs know if you are going away on a business or personal trip. GMs have been changed because we had no clue they went away.

[MJK]

Don't hack into another GM's account and post offensive pictures saying it is them...



Oh and trade a lot!

[Goffie]

Trading is the key in my opinion, the GM's that do the best in this league are the ones who are open to deals and are not trigger shy. If a deal makes sense for your team do it, if it does not make sense walk away.
The key to trading is to start negotiations with a fair offer. GM's hate getting lowballed off the start of talks, and it may turn off the GM from future trades.

As Axel stated, I am also not a fan of blind trade offers, if it is a minor deal it is not so bad, but offers on my star players would need to be discussed first. Please don't send offers of Rob Zamuner for Jason Spezza.

Also this is not the NHL, unloading big name players for marginal picks does not happen in this league, if you can't afford a good player on your roster, someone can and will be willing to give you quality in return, don't settle on a low return on any players just cause you want to move them, shop around and wait for a good offer to come in.

[Prototype]

- I like to open my trade offers with whom I'm interested in, that way I'm wasting little time.

- I also like to know who the other GM likes from my team. That way I'm not throwing garbage they don't want at them.

- If I'm offered a trade, I like to respond to it as soon as possible. Some times I do like to take some time to think about if it's something that will help my team.

- Respond to any offer, no matter how horrible it is. Don't feel bad about telling a GM why you do or do not like the offer.

- Don't try to berate, insult, or bully your way into a trade. 99% of the time, no means no... unless you're dealing with Becky.

- Trading is a two way street... live by the rules of the road.

[MJK]

For those of you new GM's with bad or average teams, trade a ton!!! For example, for every trade I make in a day, you should double it!

[JiriHrdina]

Here's another good one:

Junk+Junk=Lots o' Junk
Junk+Junk+Junk=Even More Junk
Junk+Junk+Junk+Junk=Gold? No. Just yet more junk.

No matter how much junk you add, it will never equal a quality asset.

[Mccree]

Be nice to agents

[Hanna Sniper]

- If you want to acquire a player, then bring an offer to the table. Don’t expect the other GM to make the offer involving the player you are trying to acquire for you.

- Think past your own team. Does the offer actually address the other teams wants/needs.


- Have Fun with it, enjoy your team

[HelloHockeyFans]

Beware the OV rating. It's often misleading!

[flambers]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

Beware the OV rating. It's often misleading!

Yep, lots of sites claim the OV means very little..... Its the attributes that determine if the player will produce in CPHL....

Oh and don't get the SIM gods mad at you.......

[KevanGuy]

I agree with most of the stuff in here so far.

Doug is right about having an offer in mind before you approach a GM (unless you really know the other GM and can start from nothing). It is rather annoying to get messages like "Hey, what do you want for player X?" Then you have to go and look at the other teams roster, forumlate a deal, offer it and then have the other GM say "Naw, too much." You will be doing yourself a favor in the long run if you don't get a rep for wasting people's time.

Also, identify the GMs that come online drunk in the early morning hours.