What was your.....

[Cheese]

2005/ 2006 regular season.

• Best Trade as a GM?
• Worst Trade?
• Who do you prefer talking to on MSN?
• What pi$$es you off about the game?
• What do you about the game?

[KevanGuy]

Best Trade as a GM? - Hard to say...probably that stretch in the summer when I moved Kovalchuk for a crap load of good players and parleyed them into even better players. Or winning at pool. I know that is Dave's favorite.


Worst Trade? In light of the current season ending injury to Zhitnik I would maybe say my Roenick etc to WIld for Straka etc. I could use his DF now. Although, I did save myself having to waive a bunch of players like Grant did. And, as we saw, he lost them all but Divis.


Who do you prefer talking to on MSN? I would say just about everyone. There are very few personallity conflicts around here relative to years past. We really do have a great group of GMs. I remember back in the JF days I had like 8 or 9 GMs that I would never trade with let alone talk to. I think some of them were even blocked on my MSN. (psst...dont tell Cheese!)


What pi$$es you off about the game? Mostly the Tampa Bay Lightning cause Drew is a huge nerd. Seriously though, GMs that dont respond on MSN tend to **** me off. Doesnt happen very often though. Cheese winning all the time ****es me off too.

What do you about the game? Winning.

[HelloHockeyFans]

This should be interesting!!

BEST TRADE:

Well, there are two choices in my opinion...

To Islanders:

Jiri Hudler, Tuomo Ruutu, Shawn Belle, Marek Schwarz

To Becky:

Markus Naslund

Got a ton of young assets in this deal for a very, very good player, but a pending UFA nonetheless.

Also:

To Islanders:

Steve Yzerman, Mark Parrish

To Jets:

Petr Cajanek, Jason Chimera, Chris Chelios

This was a good deal for both teams actually, as both Cajanek and Parrish became our leading scorers.

Worst Trade:

To Islanders:

Paul Kariya, Tomas Vokoun, Fedor Tyutin

To Predators:

Kristian Huselius, Sergei Gonchar, Jocelyn Thibault

Comparing the deal on paper, it's actually not bad in my opinion... I dumped a defenceman on the decline this season in the NHL, a goalie who happened to get injured a couple weeks before I dealt him in the NHL who cleared waivers, and a solid forward for a Top 5 goalie in the NHL, a very good future defenceman in Tyutin and a very solid point producer in Kariya.

But the big thing I screwed around with here was team chemistry in my opinion. Huselius was always one of my best players when I had him as he scored at a 1+ point(s) per game rate during his entire stint.

Tough loss but in the end, if I hadn't had made the deal, I would've been stuck with a poorly rated Huet as my goaltender...

Who do you prefer talking to on MSN?

It's a toss up between Mike (Jets) during our sweet, never-lose, gamethreads during Flames games, Becky (Hawks) because she is fun to bug, Syl (Devils) because he is freaking hilarious, Rob (Nordique) for the same hilarious reasons as Syl, KG (Bruins) because I love bugging him and annoying him, Sandra (Canucks) because she rocks, and Tim (Sens) because the Sens suck.

What ****es you off about the game?

Chemistry.

It ****es me off, but at the same time is one of the most intriguing things about the SIM.

On paper, although a player seems to fit, it isn't guaranteed and apparently good deals could end up working out not so well for your team.

What do you like about the game?

The GMs and everyone involved. This league is bar none the best one available on the internet due to the GMs and the commisioners behind the scenes who make it possible. The level of participation in this league is unbelievable as everyone truly wants their team to do well, and therefore put the time in to succeed.

Trading is the uncontested best aspect of this game for sure. It's the lifeline of the league and definitely keeps things exciting.

[Cheese]

Best Trade as a GM? - An early deal where I traded Wade Redden and Markpus Naslund to the Wild for Shanahan and Niedermayer, cash and a pick. Both players are still with the Thrash and played important roles on the team. Redden and Naslund are in purgatory.

Worst Trade? Sending Cheechoo, Rafalski, Radivojevic, Johnsson and Richards to the Habs for Boyle, Chara, Armstrong, Afasenkov and Nedved. Rafalski and Branko turned out ot be integral parts of my team and the Thrash went on a short losing streak....until I traded back for both players and havent lost since.

Who do you prefer talking to on MSN? I talk to everyone as well...and have pretty much all the time...even in the JF days. I talk most with the nerd in Tampa bay and perhaps Hesla in Washington.

What pi$$es you off about the game? Those who think a free game should be more than what it is...a free game that is run voluntarily by a few guys with nothing better to do than get bitched at!

What do you about the game? Being a better GM than KG.

[looooob]

1. best trade. with San Jose: smolinski, rolston, stafford, kindl and some picks for wiemer, nilson, stuart, vrana

ended up working out for san jose too....but it saved my season as Palffy retired like two days later and I didn't have to make desperate moves to address my top 6 forwards

2. worst trade Daze and a pick for Liles, and other good stuff....basically this was a desperation move as I needed another legit top 6 forward, and Liles OV ranking was really low...worked for the first 5 games, as my team was on fire and scoring like crazy....then Daze suffers (no surprise) a season ending injury and Liles rides two or three reranks up the chart

3. MSN....I wish

4. Like worst? Francis mcDohbiggin

5. Like best? the GMs and organizers of the league, and getting to work wth a team long term (4 years now)

[Mango]

Best Trade as a GM?
Trading Chris Clark and Martin Cibak to Washington for Antti Laaksonen. I never would've thought Laaksonen, a defensive player, would score timely goals and have a 70 point season (so far).

Worst Trade?
Bringing in Brad Isbister. I figured trading away Jonas Hoglund would be a good idea since he'd be worthless (3 year Euro deal) next season. I guess I was wrong.

Who do you prefer talking to on MSN?
I don't pick favorites.

What pi$$es you off about the game?
SIM-loved players. It is a double edged sword. I also hate that all the players you trade away seem to bite you in the butt one way or another. It seems like they are always on the top of their game against former teams.

What do you about the game?
I like a lot of things: it is run well, good atmosphere, great participation, and it is challenging.

[Preds GM - CPHL]

Best Trade as a GM?
This may surprise some but I really like my goalie swap with the Jets. Khabi didnt play well enough for us, in 2 games he allowed 9 goals. At his cost I got a much younger tender signed to a cheaper contract and tons of upside. Although Dipietro hasnt played a game for us yet, i think he'll do well here.

Worst Trade?
I dont make bad trades maybe someone else can fill this for me

Who do you prefer talking to on MSN?
Almost all GMs, but i tend to talk to Pens, Hawks, Kings, Canes, Sens a lil more than others.

What pi$$es you off about the game?
When i loose. Preds should win all the time, go 86-0 .

What do you about the game?
The whole game is just awesome, great GMs, great updates, REALLY organized. big thumbs up all the way.

[Sylvanfan]

• Best Trade as a GM?

Actually this year I'm pretty pleased with how I did trading. I have managed to increase the number of good live assets within the organization without making my on ice team any worse than it was when I became the GM. But the move that was likely the best was getting Ekman, Pouliot, and Svitov for Zubrus. I still think a 78 OV rating for a guy with a career high of like 48 points is due to fall one day. So getting a guy who should see a bump like Ekman, a guy like Pouliot who does have great potential, and even if Svitov is filler he still has two more seasons of being able to be a reasonably productive SIM player. Theres still the bleak hope that he might come back to North America to give the NHL another kick since the game isn't as tough as it used to be.

• Worst Trade?

Fernando Pisani, Karlis Skrastins for like 2-2nd round picks, a 3rd round pick, Ross Lupaschuck, and Anders Erickson. Why I made that move, I still can't figure it out. I did get Pisani for cheap enough originally, but I took two problems off the Kings hands, and 2-2nd round picks for Skrastins. Should have made him keep the dead weight, and demanded something better for Pisani and Skrastins as there were better deals out there to be had.

• Who do you prefer talking to on MSN?

I enjoy talking with everyone that I do talk to. The people I talk with most are Noob, and Mike. I harass Grant and Cheese on occastion too. If you want some research for a trip to Croatia or ideas for a gift for your wife or GF, Sandra is great for that. But to be honest there probably is 5-6 GM's I've never talked to on MSN. Than again I'm an introvert for the most part so if you don't seek me out, you'll likely never talk to me.

What pi$$es you off about the game?

Ooooh, do I really want to go here? The one thing that will always bug me is player ratings. I'll admit that it's extremely difficult, and is almost impossible to get right. Theres a great deal of subjectivity so you never will please everyone with this aspect of the game. Still I have guys like Preissing and McLean who played full NHL seasons last year and are having good productive seasons in the NHL while theres guys long out of the NHL and in Europe or were NHL bums and are now AHL calibre guys with ratings in the high 70's or 80's. I mean what we have is fair, and it's there for GM's to learn and use but petty me just likes to get really hung up on the NHL-CPHL co-relation between players. It's not a huge deal, and I really don't want to raise a fuss about it, but I'd be lying if I said it's still not a burr in my saddle.

• What do you about the game?

The way it's run is great. Our site is top notch, and it's great how much information that we can access, and how quickly it's updated. We have a great board to discuss stuff on. Cam has done a great job taking the suggestions for how to move the site forward technically and done a brilliant job with it. He deserves a huge kudo's in my opinion for the work he's done. But all of the commisioners have put together a great league and do their roles well. It's allowed it to become a very competitive league and thats what I like most about it.

[Sample00]

2005/ 2006 regular season.

• Best Trade as a GM? I think the Iginla trade made me a better team. I truly hated giving the guy up but I went from being middle of the pack to the top 5 in the players that I got in the deal.
• The trade went like this. Jarome Iginla and Mathieu Biron for Timonen, Zednick and Oneill plus a 1st round draft choice.
• Worst Trade? Trading Dave Scatchard for Eric Lindros. There was a reference in that trade that said that if Lindro didnt come back this year that Dave Scatchard would come back to the Flames. Well, Lindros came back.....for one game...*^&*^%&^$^%$#...so,I lost out on getting Scatchard back. However, I did move Lindros in the trade that got me Selanne, so I guess all was not lost....yet.

• Who do you prefer talking to on MSN? just about everybody!
• What pi$$es you off about the game? Losing!! doesnt it **** everyone else off too???
• What do you about the game? Just about everything. I wish I was a bit better in doing Internet stuff. Some people here can do websites and HTML. That stuff is greek to me. I also wish I was a better writer. Some of you people write amazingly well. Kudos to you!!! Some of your game reports are incredible. And those of you taht use photoshop...WOW!..that picture of Iginla in an Oilers uniform almost made me throw up, but the photoshopping involved in that was friggin unreal!!!!!!

[Flickered Flame]

2005/ 2006 regular season.

• Best Trade as a GM?

This is a tough call, being an expansion team I felt like I couldn't lose any trades just because of the lack of depth that I have. Getting Khabby the other night could pay off big time. The Cajanek trade has worked out really well.

• Worst Trade?

Getting Robitaille from Syl. Luc did nothing, I sent him to Cheese, then with the young forward I got Leclair so I guess it didn't work out that bad. There was one bad one with KG too. The Peca and JR trade.

• Who do you prefer talking to on MSN?

KG, Syl, and noob but only noob during flame games otherwise he sucks.

• What pi$$es you off about the game?

I don't know, not being able to talk with all gms on MSN I guess.

• What do you about the game?

I like everything about it, the days of raping a gm seem to be over which just adds to the game. And kicking noobs ass is always great!

[droopydrew19]

2005/ 2006 regular season. TAMPA STYLE

• Best Trade as a GM?

Tampa Bay Lightning -
Laraque, Georges (RW) / Boyes, Brad (RW) / 2006 3rd Round Draft Choice (fla)

for

Pittsburgh Penguins - Rucinsky, Martin (LW) / Garon, Mathieu (G)

Got me a young starter that should re-rate to a decent OV and nice LW giving up pretty much only Boyes

__________________________________________________ ______________

Tampa Bay Lightning -
Hilbert, Andy (LW) / Martin, Paul (D) / 2006 5th Round Draft Choice (min)

For

Chicago Blackhawks - Cammalleri, Mike (RW)

I had been after Cammi for months. Becky finally gave in after months of playing hard to get

__________________________________________________ _______________



Anaheim Mighty Ducks –
Antropov, Nikolai (C) / Kvasha, Oleg (LW) / 2006 3rd Round Draft Choice (tor)

For

Tampa Bay Lightning
McAmmond, Dean (RW) / Osgood, Chris (G)

With Os(not being too)good this season this deal looks decent. I just wish Antro would live up to his hogtown hype.

• Worst Trade?

Tampa Bay Lightning - Dandenault, Mathieu (RW) / Rucinsky, Martin (LW)


for

Pittsburgh Penguins -
Rasmussen, Erik (LW) / Hainsey, Ron (D) / Daigle, Alexander (RW)

I was forced into this deal as Rucinsky was a pending UFA and contract talks were not going anywhere. In a way I am happy to see an agent stick to their guns as Tampa plans to be very active in the UFA sweepstakes
__________________________________________________ _____

Tampa Bay Lightning - Glencross, Curtis (LW)

To Florida for nothing

How could I let Glencross go for nothing. GRANT !!!! you told me he was a budding power forward?

• Who do you prefer talking to on MSN?
  I love you all. Especially those of you that offer me 5.5 hockeysfuture rated prospects for 74OV players

• What pi$$es you off about the game?
  Frustrations include:
  Agents signing guys and not letting them become free agents
  GM's who try to squeeze extra picks etc from a team that needs every asset it has.
  Juicy Jokeynun not accepting Corey Perry's challenge. Chosing to cower in a corner rather than be a man.

• What do you about the game?
  It's all about the challenge, the people and the relationships you make for me. Attempting to turn the Bolts around appeals to me more than taking over a team like the Oilers (which were available the week after I started)

[nyrcrisfer]

Best Trade as a GM?
Well there are a few deals made early in the season that look really good right now. So it goes if your a rebuilding team.
- Weight, Soderberg, and D. Richmond to Carolina for Yashin and Lundqvist. The Yashin for Weight swap was even and simply the preference of each team at the time. Getting Lundqvist for 2 good prospects looks great now. I thought he was a very good prospect, but who know he'd be so good so soon?

- Sturm and Colaiacovo to NYR for Savard. All 3 players are pretty good but Savard's NHL season increased his stock while neither Sturm or Cola have broken out this year.

- Trading Pronger to PITT and the deals that followed. Basically, Zubov and Torres came from PITT, Zubov was dealt for Bonk and Jackman, Bonk was dealt for Vandermeer and 2 1sts, Jackman was dealt etc etc. Each deal along the line was even, but in the end I got a ton of assets for 1 big player.

- Trading Cechmanek, no matter what I got.

Worst Trade?
I don't see any trade in particular that was purely a stupid move. Some trades had no meaning (Sauer for Berglund and 2 picks) but most deals haven't hurt too much. But overall, there are a few things I would have done differently.
- Not traded for so many picks. When I came into the league I put a higher value on picks than they really had in this league. Right now I have 5 1st rounders in 06, 2 in 07, and a lot of later picks. It's good to have those picks... but I should have gotten a player or two instead of some of them.
- The deadline deals with Savard going to Florida and Zubrus going to NYR. For Savard and Ric Jackman I got Jason Smith, Tucker, Vandermeer and Dom Moore. It improves my defense a lot but now I'm even weaker up front. I've got all offseason to add some offense but really I should have gotten more offense. If I could do it again maybe I would have been more patient and kept Savard until the summer.

Who do you prefer talking to on MSN?
There isn't anyone that I dislike talking to. I enjoy talking trade with everyone in the league, even if we disagree on players. After a full year with most of the GM's, it's pretty clear that there's some very different styles and personalities. But I think that makes it a lot of fun and a lot more interesting.

What pi$$es you off about the game?
Nothing major. I agree with Syl that ratings could be a little better. I don't like when GM's don't return emails or messages, but that rarely happens in this league. The sim can be a dirty, dirty whore sometimes. GM turnover gets a little annoying.

What do you about the game?
The thing I like most is the site. I think having so many features on the site makes it a lot easier and a lot funner to be a GM. Most leagues out there don't have a site like this.

[flambers]

Rangers 2005/ 2006 regular season

• Best Trade as a GM?

To Rangers:
Stillman, Cory (RW)
Wheeler, Blake (C)
2006 4th Round Draft Choice (cmb)

To Penguins
Bertuzzi, Todd (RW)

This trade seemed to kick start the Rangers, Stillman has produced really well but Bertuzzi would not score for what ever reason.

To Rangers

White, Colin (D)
Tucker, Darcy (RW)
2006 1st Round Draft Choice (det)

To Wings

Salei, Ruslan (D)
Arnason, Tyler (C)
Lapointe, Martin (LW)

The Ranger went on to win a tonne of games after this trade. No question it was the turning point of the season.

• Worst Trade?

To Rangers
Letowski, Trevor (RW)
Tkachuk, Keith (LW)
Pelech, Matt (D)
2007 2nd Round Draft Choice (bos)

To Wild
Zhamnov, Alexei (C)
Sturm, Marco (LW)

Must of been drinking when I agreed to trade for Tkachuk.

• Who do you prefer talking to on MSN?

Lots of people

• What pi$$es you off about the game?

SIM and Chemistry for Sure

• What do you about the game?

Trading, Drafting.........

[Mccree]

What do you about the game?
AGENTS

[Preds GM - CPHL]

Originally Posted by Mccree

What do you about the game?
AGENTS

[Young Guns]

BEST TRADE AS A GM IN 06

Hejduk, Warrener, Burrows, Orszagh and Prust

To the Islanders for

Svatos, Bates, Vyborny, Ballard, Belle, 2nd rd pick.

Bates has gone on to rack up 19 points in 11 games and is currently on a 12 point scoring streak. Ballard and Svatos give me two great young players that are on the rise.

Best trade that I never made would probley be not dealing away Svatos and Ballard at the deadline. I had alot of gm's ask or make offers for these two players. Most of the offers would of gave me a forward rated in or near the low 80's. I was damn close in trading them. Sure would of helped come playoff time. But I am glad now that I hung on to them.

WORST TRADE IN 06

Not sure, there have been a couple questional trades but my bum is still sore from the Dingman and Kiprusoff to Toronto for Chechkmanek trade.

WHO DO YOU PREFER TALKING TO ON MSN?

Lots of people. I Talk to Becky quite a bit, Cheese is always worth a good chuckle. Several gm's I talk to on a daily basis. There are maybe 2 gms who i havent talked to in over a year.

WHAT ****ES YOU OFF ABOUT THE GAME

When i lose. Specially to the weaker teams like the Flames. When im trying to make a deal and the Wife is in the background distracting me, or telling me to get off this damn thing. "nag nag nag!" Also gm's that do not respond to messages or emails. Or Gm's that do not get involved in the league at all. Yea..you know who you guys are! the ones that dont make a effort to post game recaps..etc

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE GAME?

Its become quite the hobby. Wish there was some sort of way I could figure out the hours ive got soaked into this bad boy. Its become a addiction really. Talking trade with some gms can be quite comical. Like Kevin, who Im not sure if he has started talking to me again yet since or last deal fell through. :baby: LOL Just kidding Noob.

[MJK]

2005/ 2006 regular season.

• Best Trade as a GM?

I like my most recent trade of Zubrus for Savard.

• Worst Trade?

I dont make those...

• Who do you prefer talking to on MSN?

I don't really like anyone...

• What pi$$es you off about the game?

The Cheese Rule...it has all but completely haulted my trading

• What do you about the game?

The Florida Panthers...

[Stars GM Shane]

Best trade

Laaksonen for Goc and Nedorost. Hasn't helped me much this year but I expect it to pay off next season.

Worst trade

Jarkko Ruutu for Tjarnie, just because I may have helped Cheese a little bit.

Favorite people on MSN

Cheese 'cuz he's so old, Becky 'cuz she's so knowledgeable (and she's old too! hahaha).

What ****es me off

AGENTS

Thing I love about the game

The website is second to none, easy to use.

[notoepik]

Best Trade as a GM?
With the Flyers----->
Bergenheim, Denis, Montoya, 2005 1st Dal
for
Esche, Erat, Krajicek, 2005 1st Fla
What was Punk thinking?

With the Ducks---->
P Boucher, 2005 3rd Que, 4th Det,
for
Rob Blake
Blake was expensive and the Ducks had to lose salary, I was there to catch Blake

With the Isles------->
Hudler, T Ruutu, Belle, Schwarz
for
Naslund
Funny that Kev says it was one of his best trades too. I liked it alot for the Hawks. We intended then to pay Naslund 10 mil, still do even though he has been around the block a few a times. I really gave up nothing off my roster but Hudler for Naslund. No brainer for the Hawks, and great for the rebuilding Isles.

Bolts ----> Hilbert, Martin, 2006 5th Min for Cammellari
Just a comment on this trade. Another good one for both teams. We were desperate for a d man, and Martin is an awesome guy to get in this deal IMO. He should rereate well, as will Camel Larry.

Worst Trade?

With the Devils--->
S Morrison, VanRyn, Smid
for
Foote
I gave up a lot of D and a lot of future in the hunt for a good, rated d man. Bah

With the Thrashers----->
Hall, Johnsson, St Louis, Thelan
for
Chara, Zednik, Franzen
Good God, the hunt for D went really bad here

Most trades with the Nords. Geez they are like crack, trading with them is bad for the teams health, but we can't stay away.

Who do you prefer talking to on MSN?
I talk to everyone. Lots of banter with Kev, Goffie, Trevor, Rob, Aaron, Tim. Lots of argueing with Shane, Dave, and Joe Schum the bum.

What pi$$es you off about the game?
The ratings! I am a fan of ratings from sourses outside of the league. I don't think anyone in the league should be responsible for doing the ratings. It is a huge job, and the best ratings come from outside sources.
GM's that are never online or are always *busy*. Or GMs that never trade and have a ton of untouchable players.

What do you about the game?
Friendly rivalries. Trading. Post game reports (reading everyone elses, not writing them)

[JiriHrdina]

Best Trade as a GM?
Tough question. I think most of the deals I make are fairly even steven. However, I'd say trading Hank Sedin + Braydon Coburn for Fedorov was my best from the standpoint that it finally broke me out of my penchant for hording all my youth. In order to compete you need to have a balance but prior to that deal I wouldn't deal any young player or prospect. Even trade but one that allowed me to escape from one of my own weaknesses as a GM.

Worst Trade?
The one that I made with Cheese as he outlined above. Like many a GM I thought I could be the one to get Naslund to perform. Big mistake. I should just stop trading with Cheese. Dude has been bending me over since I joined this league.

Who do you prefer talking to on MSN?
Really I think we have a bunch of great GMs right now.

What pi$$es you off about the game?
Nothing ****es me off so to speak but the one area I dont' think I've really developed an understanding for is the players and combinations of players the sim likes. Last year I had a team that overachieved and I didn't know why. This year I think my team on paper is better than it has performed and again I don't know why. I simply have no idea what the sim looks for and why some players perform while others don't.

What do you about the game?
I think the game primarily rewards GMs that have a short-term vision. But I really enjoy taking a long-term viewpoint of my organization. I get a real kick out of the draft, particularly now that we do it ahead of the NHL. I also really enjoy signing prospects that are available and perhaps hidden gems and projecting my team down the road. But once again, its important to note this is counteractive to winning the hole thing because other teams will always be more willing to "go for it all" then I will be. But it is one of the reasons I play the game - to have a good, steady long-term organization is perhaps more important to me than winning it all.