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Post by Bryce - Minny on Apr 6, 2004 23:37:57 GMT -5
I am looking for anyone to suggest some rebuilding tips, preferably with examples and explantions. I am going to write up a semi-long article (as requested by a few GM's) so I would appreciate any feedback or ideas that you all might have.
Bryce
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Post by bruinsgm on Apr 7, 2004 7:13:09 GMT -5
Patience is one of the biggest keys imo.. Don't get so desperate that you shoot yourself in the foot.. If you are rebuilding you need to use every asset wisely. One of my favourite things to do on a rebuilding team is to take on salary dumps. In another league I took on Geoff Sanderson and Steve Konowalchuk for 3rd and 5th round picks. I sat on them for a while.. turning down low offers and finally someone came along and offered Tomas Vokoun and their 1st.
PATIENCE
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Post by edmontongm on Apr 13, 2004 8:53:19 GMT -5
I have to agree with Jesse. Here are my thoughts as to rebuilding (in one league, I started off with a top line of Jason Wiemer, Brett Lysak and Milan Bartovic as my top line in 2000, I had no defence - top defencemen was Marek Malik, and a UFA goaltender...7 seasons later - approx 2 seasons per year - my top line was Ilya Kovalchuk - Steve Yzerman - Martin St. Louis, and I had Heatley, Calder, McAmmond, Reinprecht, among others at forward, some capable defencemen (Marek Malik, Filip Kuba, Nathan Dempsey come to mind quickly) and my goaltending was Burke, Cloutier, Ryan Miller and Mikael Tellqvist)
1. Patience is key. Especially when you have very little to deal with. I turned Roman Turek and his UFA status into 3 salary dumps: Luc Robitaille (who was still a high quality player at the time), Sean Burke and Tie Domi. I turned Robitaille (after almost a season) into Roman Cechmanek, Andy Delmore, and a 1st round pick; Burke turned into Cloutier and Nylander (I reacquired Burke, and got Yzerman, McAmmond and Shayne Corson when that team went bankrupt and sold off it's players for virtually nothing); Domi turned into Michael Ryan (at the time a Dallas prospect, now with Buffalo I believe) and a mid-round pick. It took 7 seasons or 3 years to become a quality enough team to make the playoffs. Most teams are not that devastated, however you see what I'm getting at.
2. Dedication. Especially when the league has been around a couple seasons, you have to be willing to stick it out. You cannot expect to turn a rebuilding team into a cup winner over night. This league allows for quicker rebuilding then most leagues because of the strict cap, however as a GM of a rebuilding team, don't expect it.
3. More patience/Don't be afraid to lose for a year or two. You're likely going to be trading off assets for picks a lot. Especially the first season. This is important to the strength of a rebuilding team. Compiling some young players or some older or Euro rookies onto the team will be vital to the team's success.
4. Don't be afraid to take chances (in the draft or in trading). Andy Delmore worked out for a couple seasons on a lower level, but Martin St. Louis could win the Hart this year. Most teams take on guys who have had a good season and pay a premium for those players...try to acquire guys who look like they might get more playing time in the future...but might not be ready for the big time right now. You'll get them more cheaply then when they become stars down the road, and if they don't work out, you didn't pay a lot for them.
5. Try to take advantage of some teams. Take a look at rosters. Try to determine what some teams are deep with, and try to help out their team with something you might have. Especially those teams that are running expensive. I can't remember but 6 or 7 teams lost players because of cap reasons last year. If you can take advantage, you might be able to acquire a star player or two. (remember though that you're taking on salary)
Finally, 6. Be friendly and have fun. It'll be rough going. Have confidence in your own ability to turn the team around, but remember it takes time. You won't get along with every GM in the league, but take the time to just talk general hockey with some GM's, because most of the time you won't be able to talk trade due to limited resources. Remember this is just a game...and that with a little bit of time and effort, you can have a cup champion.
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Post by KingsGM on Apr 13, 2004 8:55:19 GMT -5
It also helps to be in a league with really really stupid GMs.
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