MAJOR Breaking news....

[Goffie]

Originally posted by Sylvanfan@Apr 6 2005, 11:45 AM
From what I understand our SIM is programmed such that we run two divisions in each conference. By adding expansion teams would we be able to run 8 divisions of 4 teams? That way we could align divisions like

Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnepeg
Anaheim, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose
Colorado, Dallas, Nashville, St.Louis
Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Minnesota

Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto
New York R, New York I, Boston, Buffalo
Pittsburgh, Philly, New Jersey, Washington
Atlanta, Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay

Mind you having 4 divisions of 8 teams wouldn't be that much different I guess. Still the idea of two all Canadian Divisions would be kind of cool.

I like Syl's idea of the 4 divisions in each conference, especially with 2 all canadian divisions, I think it could renew some old rivalries such as the heated battle of Quebec. :tup:

[Hanna Sniper]

Ok, I’ll bite.

I’m pretty much on the fence with this, I like the “idea” and I have faith with the league that it could work and be successful. So the only thing that scares me is what effects it can have that may not be prepared for… it’s not as easy to just uproot the teams to fix the problem.

1. We will now be employing more players in the CPHL then theirs is in the NHL (correct?) and the way some teams become stacked and other’s, well lest just say, watered down quite considerably. We will be forcing more AHL level talent into the CPHL that’s rated quite low and should be in the AHL. Our players don’t reflect the levels the real players are playing at but rather a year or two behind. This is quite a scary thought for me how bad some teams could get and how much harder a road it may be to repair them. It’s takes a very good GM (patient wise) too take on such a task, I believe we’ll be increasing the task for such noobs.
2. This is an addition to the last point about adding more players to the mix. Last season we had seen less attention paid to the AHL level guys during the re-rates unless there was a drastic change (over 4ov). I think that the AHL guys will have to have a better opportunity to progress if we as a league will be leaning on them more as necessary replacements for actual NHL talent.
3. Alignment. Now this idea can scare me if we start to change too drastically from the NHL, if it was a simple add a team to the IMLACH and MARTIN Division (the two with 1 less team) then it’s cool but if we shake up the whole league then I think that’s a no-no.

Ok, that’s it for now, like I said I like the idea bout if you want opinion’s then here’s a couple concerns of mine that come to me right now without much thinking.

[notoepik]

The current sim will only allow 2 conferences, with 2 or 3 divisions in each conference.

And that is how the playoffs are then set.

[Hanna Sniper]

Not a fan of Sylvanfan Divisions idea at all..... from a Carolina perspective

[looooob]

Hanna raises some good points about AHL players, both in general, but also relevant to expansion....finding away to get young guys who are currently productive NHLers (I'll use the Sabres own JM Liles as an example, but I'm sure there are relevant examples on every team) ranked competitively before their 25th birthday becomes even more important in a 32 team league

[Goffie]

Hanna's point about AHL players is a great one. I think that the AHL players will have to see a significant raise in ratings. It will be very hard to field a competitive team if we are gonna rely on calling up AHL players to fill our rosters as the vast majority of even the top players are rated in thier 50's.

Another point I think would need to be adressed is the salary of some of the top prospects. For example on my roster Maxime Oulette is rated in the 50's yet his NHL salary would be over 2 million. I don't think teams can afford to fill their roster with low rated AHL players who make less then some of the better rated players on their teams.

[KevanGuy]

With two new teams thats only 50 players added to the CPHL. Each team will only have to replace 1.6 players. And there are plenty of AHLers with 60's ratings. If your lineup is so weak that you need a called up AHLer to fill in on the first line or something then you have bigger problems to deal with then adding 1.6 AHLers.

[Radically Red]

The Spreading of Talant is a concern of mine as well.

On the other side Trades will probably be a bit more intersting since there is not as many good players to go around there Value should go up even more.

[Hanna Sniper]

Just so my post doesn’t just be a negative one pointing at a possible problem maybe a solution to the AHL talent pool could be boosting the default rateing of 55 to 60-65ov. I don’t know just thinking out a loud.

[MJK]

I am also on the fence. My initial reaction is not a good one however. This is going to take awhile to set in.

Not to mention the fact that another GM asked me something so crazy it will also blow your minds...details to follow!!

[transplant99]

The "spreading of talent" thing is a non-issue IMO.

There are several ways around this potential pratfall.

We have the power to do many things...eliminate injuries, bring back retired players....as far back as 1940 IIRC, lower roster sizes, etc..the availability of players simply wont be an issue.

As for raising the lowest rating to 60 from 50...im not sure what differance it would make as ALL teams would still have the same amount of low end guys, more or less.

This is a trading/be involved game....and i honestly believe that this sort of step forward and thinking outside the box, will allow us to truly claim the most unique FHL site i have seen.

However, if it becomes apparent that it will cause more problems than benefits, we can certainly look at it again. I will say though, we have thought about doing this for a couple years now, and decided with all the interest in people wanting to jion/re-join, this would be an excellent way to accomoate them.

[Hanna Sniper]

KevanGuy

My math adds over 80 players needed to fill both CPHL and AHL squads. Plus I’m not worried how this effects say my team, I can replace 4 players without care but what scares me is teams that have been stripped to lower talent as it is, and then GM’s walking away from their teams leaving them into the hands of a new eager GM. This will have very little effect on the upper half of the league but it’s the bottom half that worries me. And not the current bottom half teams but rather the lower half every season.

Yes it’s true that we’re not icing a bunch of AHL teams here, but that’s 30+ plus players have to come from somewhere. And with our current rule of retire as soon as is announced, this could become a lot more

[Hanna Sniper]

Plus I would like to stress, I like the idea here and I know it sounds like I’m arguing the opposite, it’s just T99 was seeking for opinion’s and therefore I’m adding them. In no way am I NOT in favour but I have concerns yes, will the league better itself regardless indeed because there’s enough passion put forth with the way it runs.

[Hanna Sniper]

Kind’a gets you excited though doesn’t?

[KevanGuy]

Originally posted by Hanna Sniper@Apr 6 2005, 01:39 PM
KevanGuy

My math adds over 80 players needed to fill both CPHL and AHL squads.

Yeah, thats why I said just CPHL, who cares who plays in the AHL.

[flambers]

I personnally love the idea. Adding two more teams is a great new concept. Will make this summer really interesting. The expansion teams GMs will have a real interesting job...............

[Superfraggle]

Originally posted by KevanGuy+Apr 6 2005, 01:51 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (KevanGuy @ Apr 6 2005, 01:51 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Hanna Sniper@Apr 6 2005, 01:39 PM
KevanGuy

My math adds over 80 players needed to fill both CPHL and AHL squads.

Yeah, thats why I said just CPHL, who cares who plays in the AHL. [/b][/quote]
Any team with an eye for the future...such as non-playoff teams (I would hope) and playoff teams whose GMs are capable of realizing the importance of prospects. . I'd be happy to take guys like Jeremy Williams off your hands since you don't seem to care, though. (didn't bother to look through entire roster to find the best prospects...not that there's many good ones on the baby Bruins B-) )

[HelloHockeyFans]

It's a brave move, but if any league can handle it, it's the CPHL!

[KevanGuy]

Originally posted by Superfraggle+Apr 6 2005, 03:21 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Superfraggle @ Apr 6 2005, 03:21 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Yeah, thats why I said just CPHL, who cares who plays in the AHL.

Any team with an eye for the future...such as non-playoff teams (I would hope) and playoff teams whose GMs are capable of realizing the importance of prospects. . I'd be happy to take guys like Jeremy Williams off your hands since you don't seem to care, though. (didn't bother to look through entire roster to find the best prospects...not that there's many good ones on the baby Bruins B-) ) [/b][/quote]
Well, the way I see it is that your AHL roster doesnt win you games in the CPHL. Thats more what I meant.

[Beerfund]

I do not mind the extra two teams, just more opportunities to trade.
However, I am opposed to drawing players from previous generations. I would prefer to keep the current pool of avaialble players but to re-rate, more accurately, players between the ages of 18 and 25.
The main reason I don't want to resurect players from previous generations is that their ratings from year to year would essentially be static. Where as active players can increase, but more importantly, decrease with time. Take a guy like Messier for example - right now he's rated in the around 70 OV. He has progressively decreased every single year due to age adjustments. Bring back a guy like Guy Lafleur, do you rate him at his peak performance years or based on his performance as a Nordique? I would think the peak years would be used. Now 3-4 years down the road, his ratings must be the same. While Messier (assuming he hasn't retired - which is a bad assumption) would be mid to low 60s at best.
I believe that this league is fun, because it replicates real life NHL players (although not perfectly) The players has a few good years, his ratings go up, and vice versa. Bringing in retired players, creates a situation where players evaluated with different criteria are competign with and against each other. I don't like it.