Trading.....

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

At least I have the guts to do what it takes to improve my team. I'm not ashamed of either deal
I made to win those awards.

The reason I'm not trading is because I hardly see anyone on msn when I'm on. As well, the one part
I'm looking for seems to be tough to find or cost a lot and I don't have the pieces to pay for it.

Oh boy, guts to do something? I don't even wana get into this.

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Well there is one GM in this league I got sick of and absolutely won't deal with because it's not worth putting up with his crap. Got sick of the way he treats everyone and types like a 6 year old on MSN. It's one thing to act a jerk, and it's another to actually be one which this guy is. So that has slowed my trading down a bit. I think a few others have black listed this guy too, he's the new LA Kings GM.

I used to be pretty harsh on Axel some time back and I guess it got to him. Eventually I figured it out and offered him an apology and was able to somewhat salvage that relationship. You know it's not so bad to own up to being responsible for your actions sometimes.

Don't worry, the feelings are mutual.

[Superflyer]

For me I am still trying to get an idea of what my team is trying to do. We are sitting around 500 and we keep icing different teams game to game. We can blow anybody out of the water one game and get shut out the next.

As for offers, I have recieved a couple and have sent out a couple. We just never seem to mesh, they want to much, I want to much, we can not just find that common ground.

I can tell you why I am asking for more lately. It seems that every trade I make it gets picked apart and called garbage, heck even once I was called out that I was trying to make bad trades on purpose. So now I ask for more then I would have before. I personally think that I have not made bad trades but to each their own. I find alot of people base their trades to much on the NHL and not on the CPHL, there have been many times where a players skills in one league do not transfer to the other. Hell look at my team, I have Bryan Allen, already he has 25 points for me, that is 1\3 of his NHL career points!

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

This is a big part of the lack of trading. It seems you, Simmer, Victor, Dan, Joe, Ian, Grant, Matt(stars), flambers, Syl, Ravi, and Trevor are the only consistent GMs on MSN. Ive said this for awhile and I think something needs to be inforced. I understand people have busy lives but it kinda sucks seeing the same GMs online.

If going on MSN is enforced you would have a 10 team league. I would have to leave the league if it was enforced.

Not everyone can have non-stop access to MSN. I used to be able to, but not anymore. I try to get on when i get some free time or if I have some specific needs to fill on my team.

I have email that comes to my phone, I check CP often. Someone not being on MSN shouldnt hamper a trade offer being sent.

[Goffie]

Originally Posted by Hesla

If going on MSN is enforced you would have a 10 team league. I would have to leave the league if it was enforced.

Not everyone can have non-stop access to MSN. I used to be able to, but not anymore. I try to get on when i get some free time or if I have some specific needs to fill on my team.

I have email that comes to my phone, I check CP often. Someone not being on MSN shouldnt hamper a trade offer being sent.

I agree on this one. My old job had hours all over the place so I was more flexible to pop on MSN a lot. Now I won't install MSN to my work computer because I know I will get distracted too easily and waste work time chatting. I do however check the site about 30 times a day so if anyone wants to make a deal with me it is not hard. I have had GM's ask me to meet them on msn when I was available to finish talks and I could accommodate that. I try to pop on msn for 30mins- 1.5hrs every day but there is no chance I can do any more then that. But like I said I am constantly checking the site and if anyone wants to talk trade I am readily available.

I also find that if you want to make changes the best way is to target players from a certain GM who you feel like there might be a good match for a deal with. If that GM is not looking for that type of deal move on to the next guy. I have done this on many occasions and eventually I could find a GM to make a deal with that helps us both.

[simmer2]

Originally Posted by Goffie

I agree on this one. My old job had hours all over the place so I was more flexible to pop on MSN a lot. Now I won't install MSN to my work computer because I know I will get distracted too easily and waste work time chatting. I do however check the site about 30 times a day so if anyone wants to make a deal with me it is not hard. I have had GM's ask me to meet them on msn when I was available to finish talks and I could accommodate that. I try to pop on msn for 30mins- 1.5hrs every day but there is no chance I can do any more then that. But like I said I am constantly checking the site and if anyone wants to talk trade I am readily available.

I also find that if you want to make changes the best way is to target players from a certain GM who you feel like there might be a good match for a deal with. If that GM is not looking for that type of deal move on to the next guy. I have done this on many occasions and eventually I could find a GM to make a deal with that helps us both.

That is how I get most of my deals done. I've gotten a few deals done via PM and while it isn't my preferred method, it can be done. I find in PM you have to be a whole lot more straight-forward and come out with an offer rather than the whole MSN process. Personally I enjoy the MSN more but both can get the trade accomplished.

[Prototype]

Ask Ravi, if you want a player from me, you'd better a) make an offer, b) hope I like the player involved in that offer, c) not expect a counter offer if I don't like the players you are offering.

I will admit, I'm sheepish when it comes to trade talks. I don't want to be the one who makes the first offer, unless it's a player I want. When trying for Ovie off Goffie, I threw out ideas, which I don't think he expected. That started to talks.

But if you come to me and say, "Is player X available?", you should expect me to come back with a combo of the following: "What's your offer?", "Who's available on your side?", etc.

That's just how I've done it for years now, and it's worked for me in not only this league, but others as well.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by simmer2

That is how I get most of my deals done. I've gotten a few deals done via PM and while it isn't my preferred method, it can be done. I find in PM you have to be a whole lot more straight-forward and come out with an offer rather than the whole MSN process. Personally I enjoy the MSN more but both can get the trade accomplished.

I thought that most of your trades were completed by pestering the other GM until they finally relent?

[Mango]

MSN is really not on option for me. And when I get home from work at midnight, no one is online anyways. So if this becomes enforced, I'm gonzo.

Time is not my friend right now because I don't have any of it. It will get even worse when I head to Vancouver for the Olympics.

At the end of the day, I reply to every email sent my way in terms of trades and I can say that I always send in my lines and try to participate as much as I can on the message board. Right now, that's all I can give you.

[simmer2]

Originally Posted by Slava

I thought that most of your trades were completed by pestering the other GM until they finally relent?

That's Plan B if Plan A falters!

[Swayze11]

Originally Posted by Prototype

Ask Ravi, if you want a player from me, you'd better a) make an offer, b) hope I like the player involved in that offer, c) not expect a counter offer if I don't like the players you are offering.

I will admit, I'm sheepish when it comes to trade talks. I don't want to be the one who makes the first offer, unless it's a player I want. When trying for Ovie off Goffie, I threw out ideas, which I don't think he expected. That started to talks.

But if you come to me and say, "Is player X available?", you should expect me to come back with a combo of the following: "What's your offer?", "Who's available on your side?", etc.

That's just how I've done it for years now, and it's worked for me in not only this league, but others as well.

Probably my most hated trading tactic out there. This is 100% my opinion that I get very frustrated when someone just says "make an offer". Thats not how trading works... I list the players I like, you list the players you like, we work with those 2 lists and make a deal. Not just "make me an offer". I am not going to spend hours and hours just making offers including players you dont like, the messages go something like this:

Me -"Hi is X player available?"
You -"yes - make me an offer"
Me - "how about Y player for X player?"
You - "nope, dont like him"
Me - "Ok how about Z player for X player?"
You - "nope, dont like him"
etc.

[Prototype]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

Probably my most hated trading tactic out there. This is 100% my opinion that I get very frustrated when someone just says "make an offer".

I get that... but I usually ask who's available, and give the person a list of who's available, and who I like to make things easier. If I can't find anything, I'll be honost to the GM and let them know I don't see a fit.

There's ways to eliminate the headaches.

[MJK]

IF I was still around I would trade with everyone! I would also give a big holiday MJK discount...

2 for 1 cheapy cheapy

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

This is a big part of the lack of trading. It seems you, Simmer, Victor, Dan, Joe, Ian, Grant, Matt(stars), flambers, Syl, Ravi, and Trevor are the only consistent GMs on MSN. Ive said this for awhile and I think something needs to be inforced. I understand people have busy lives but it kinda sucks seeing the same GMs online.

I've been able to complete many deals via PM. I think people have to learn to adapt.

I think the issue revolves more around willingness to deal.

I think there is a talent disparity in terms of assets but we've also seen teams go from being terrible to being rich in talents in about a year. But GMs have to take risks. If you're rebuilding...or not long on assets, don't attach yourself to any of your players. Find the Gms that needs that asset or has a chubby for that certain player and make a quality deal. Then repeat.

I know that's simplifying things but it works. If you think you are going to miss the playoffs you have the luxury of not having to worry about positions or depth on your team. You have the ability to make deals purely from a value perspective. Keep an eye on injuries and when a team is suddenly short on defenders or whatever...strike.

[MJK]

Originally Posted by Prototype

The only thing of value I have is Ovechkin, and he's been hot lately. His knees in the CPHL are strong, like bull. And I've managed to find a win here and there. While I could take a page out of the MJK playbook and try and trade and trade and trade my way to the top, I'm finally on track to where I want to be at the end of the season.

That being said, I haven't seen many offers I've liked. Peverly had some interest right around the time he signed his contract in the NHL. People were offering like he was still a nobody who hasn't been producing, rather than making a realistic offer for a point per game player.

I think people are more cautious this season, for whatever reason.

At one time this is what I had to do to make a horrible team good. To be honest I couldn't even put that much time and effort into it anymore. I think most GM's in this league now have been here long enough to realize that if you have a good strong team, there really is no point to trade, trade, trade.

If something doesn't work, maybe look for a parallel trade to tweak a few things. But the league overall seems much more mature now (with a few exceptions)

[Hanna Sniper]

For the Hurricanes, I've had three difficulties

1. For the pro ranks I really only have 5 real assets on my pro team, Iginla, Thornton, Zetterberg, Carter and Boyes and pylons that fill the ice around them. So every and all trade talks involve these 5 players only. In these trade talk the only way I can trade them is if I downgrade and get older as well. While I don't mind one or the other, for me both downgrading and getting older is out of the question.

2. Lack of Give and Take. I have a piss poor defence made up of any active scrub I could find. To move one of my big forwards and create another whole in my lineup I find that my trading partner isn't willing to create a whole in their defense.. So in short trade talks involve my filling their holes in their team with no regard to my own team needs. Who win or looses a deal is just a matter of perspective but I would like to think that after a deal I made a deal to improve my team (improve not meaning upgrade but a step in a direction I want to go).

3. I've had two immediate family members go through a lot of suffering and dying these last 15 months. While I'm game regardless most nights to talk and offer advise on trades and such I've found my patients in handling talks about how Joe Thronton is no longer a impact player and on the downside of his career... I find i don't laugh it off as fast and really not looking for those types of talks.

4. I need to make more of an effort to just trade for the sake of trading... it might not be Iggy going but guys like Ott should have been moved a couple times in such deals

[OILFAN #81]

Up until mid September I would be one of the GM's who was on MSN the most but since moving to California I have got a lot busier. Even when I was on MSN a lot more, i'd be the one sending the deals so nothing has changed in that regard. I reply to messages within a day or two depending how busy I am. For me personally, I want to see where this team is at before I make trades for the sake of trading. My top guys have been producing so I am in no rush. I still send out trade offers when I research a player that I want (just sent out a few last week).

[Prototype]

I find it easier to trade in the off season as well, because you don't have that immediate chance to see how your team works with the new player.

[Enforcer]

I've completed a few deals via PM, but I prefer talking them out on MSN. Hey I've even managed a trade with the Canucks (Niittymaki)!

Teams need to update their trade blocks, most of them are pretty out of date. Most do a message board post, don't forget to change the trade block around when you do.

Only made two trades since the start of the season. Dumont for Koivu who then gets traded for Oshie a couple weeks later.

Right now two great defensemen are most of my team. If and when one of them gets traded, the season is over. Then a couple of good young NHL forwards like Dubinsky and Oshie and a bunch of guys who are starting to rise but are still growing (Grossman, Smid, Stuart, Ericsson, Gilroy). You may be laughing but I have 10 NHL defensemen now. The 6 in the CPHL, Smid, Ericsson, Gilroy in the minors, and Kulikov not signed yet.

To me the goal is to be patient and build a Neil like team that is a contender for a number of seasons.

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I used to be pretty harsh on Axel some time back and I guess it got to him. Eventually I figured it out and offered him an apology and was able to somewhat salvage that relationship. You know it's not so bad to own up to being responsible for your actions sometimes.

I LOVE YOU, MAN!!!

on a serious note.....
I'm not looking at doing a bunch of trading right now cause I have a solid team. Is it perfect, no. but hey its doing ok.
If things start to falter then maybe I will. as mentioned in the other thread, if I had to make some tweaks it would be on D. Other than that, I'm good with what I got.!

[mbeauchamp76]

Originally Posted by Slava

I would be more than happy to make trades. Problem in my case is the only players I have that people want seem to be the same players that I want to keep. Even the contending teams are only after my young hopefuls....which as a rebuilding team makes no sense to trade away.

I agree, especially when you don't have many assets and the assets you do have you need to or want to keep as part of the rebuild. On the other hand I just feel if I start trading away my veterans for picks or prospects so early I would be seen as tanking it and going after Taylor or Tyler. I at least wanted to show I could at least compete however that isn't working very well. The bottom of the standings looks like to be my home so maybe I shouldn't worry about this year anymore and start the fire sale now. I think the success of this league shouldn't be judged on the number of trades but the quality of the trades. You don't see a ton of trades in the NHL right now either