2029 Rule Discussion: Lets get the party started.

[BluesGM]

Going through this thread, we have a list of potential new rules that have been proposed that need to be discussed further:

-The Last Hurrah (Stephen’s idea)
-more strict penalties for GMs who purposely put themselves over the cap, or dont follow certain rules
-once a player is placed on waivers, have a 12-hour (or 24-hour) window for claims. After that, a trade can be made for said player
-increasing the number of junior aged players on your farm team (current limit of 2)
-salary limits
-contract limits

Stephen, I've also gone through our current Rule Book. Let me know if you would like me to send you the file as there is some clarification needed on some rules (i.e., updates)

[islandersgm]

I personally like the salary and contract limits. Having these promotes more roster movement.

I am ok with increasing the number of junior aged players on the farm

I think the 24 hour claim window and then the player being open for trade is fine

For teams going over the cap during the season maybe we can have a fine like $5 million or a drop in the position of a draft pick. I agree that there should be a penalty but its important to find the balance between not having it too strict and not having it be so lenient it is disregarded altogether.

I like the Last Hurrah Idea but it feels like the idea should be worked out a bit more. I'm hesitant for a team like my Islanders to have one because most of the roster spots are devoted to young players getting ice time to develop and grow and this would detract from the ice time those players would get.

[islandersgm]

So one of the current rules is that a signed UFA player can't be traded until March 1st. How do people feel about this? I would be open to moving it to an earlier date like January 1st or limiting to only players above a certain salary. I understand its purpose for big name UFAs but not necessarily depth players. Thoughts?

[islandersgm]

Do injured players count towards the cap? CBS has 3 forwards out for 2+ months

[BluesGM]

Sept 27, 2020 14:46:53 GMT islandersgm said:

Do injured players count towards the cap? CBS has 3 forwards out for 2+ months

yes they do. That's hard coded into the game

[islandersgm]

Thank you. I knew the game still counted it but wasn't sure about the league. I thought I vaguely remembered it mention in a rules discussion before but wasn't 100%

[oilersgm]

So I know that online free/old EHM leagues are fading, struggling to find/retain GMs, and I'm also well aware that I'm part of that, in that I frequently disappear for long stretches. As such, I really don't intend this as a criticism about any of the hard working people in this league.



Having said that, the cap isn't working. For one thing, I'm not sure if we're enforcing it at all - both teams in the cup final are over the cap, for instance.

But also it's simply not doing what it's supposed to - redistribute talent. Some of this is, I'm sure, linked to the amount of time different people spend on their teams. Stephen has enough on his plate that finding the absolute best possible contracts for 10 teams is not particularly easy or fun. But even so, a quick scan of the teams shows this. The average team has 8 players at or above 80 overall (a flawed but easy way to judge talent distribution). This ranges from Calgary on the low end with 3 to New Jersey on the high end with 20! Yes, it is possible for New Jersey to have their entire dressed roster be 80 overall or higher and somehow still fit that in under the 70mil cap with *checks notes* a mere 12 million in space.

And sure, the Devils have half of them on expiring contracts. But 5 of those have team options, so that means they will be able to retain at least 15, potentially all 20 if they can negotiate raises of less than 12mil total.  

I don't mean to single out the Devils, but they are the most striking example, able to stock up with the most 80oa players and a ton of space (the 6th most in the league). There are 6 other teams with 10+ 80oa players, but none have more than 4mil in space, so hopefully those teams might lose some of those.


Again, I don't want this to be just criticism of anyone, I know you all work hard, but we really should do something about the cap situation. Whether that's lowering the cap, separating NHL and AHL caps, changing the ways contracts are offered/structured (I'm in another league that uses formulas to determine what contract players will get, unless they are UFAs. It's a bit complicated, but it works), or some other thing(s), I don't know. But it's quite obvious that the cap as it stands now is not working.

[boltsgm]

Oct 21, 2020 18:24:51 GMT oilersgm said:

So I know that online free/old EHM leagues are fading, struggling to find/retain GMs, and I'm also well aware that I'm part of that, in that I frequently disappear for long stretches. As such, I really don't intend this as a criticism about any of the hard working people in this league.



Having said that, the cap isn't working. For one thing, I'm not sure if we're enforcing it at all - both teams in the cup final are over the cap, for instance.

But also it's simply not doing what it's supposed to - redistribute talent. Some of this is, I'm sure, linked to the amount of time different people spend on their teams. Stephen has enough on his plate that finding the absolute best possible contracts for 10 teams is not particularly easy or fun. But even so, a quick scan of the teams shows this. The average team has 8 players at or above 80 overall (a flawed but easy way to judge talent distribution). This ranges from Calgary on the low end with 3 to New Jersey on the high end with 20! Yes, it is possible for New Jersey to have their entire dressed roster be 80 overall or higher and somehow still fit that in under the 70mil cap with *checks notes* a mere 12 million in space.

And sure, the Devils have half of them on expiring contracts. But 5 of those have team options, so that means they will be able to retain at least 15, potentially all 20 if they can negotiate raises of less than 12mil total.  

I don't mean to single out the Devils, but they are the most striking example, able to stock up with the most 80oa players and a ton of space (the 6th most in the league). There are 6 other teams with 10+ 80oa players, but none have more than 4mil in space, so hopefully those teams might lose some of those.


Again, I don't want this to be just criticism of anyone, I know you all work hard, but we really should do something about the cap situation. Whether that's lowering the cap, separating NHL and AHL caps, changing the ways contracts are offered/structured (I'm in another league that uses formulas to determine what contract players will get, unless they are UFAs. It's a bit complicated, but it works), or some other thing(s), I don't know. But it's quite obvious that the cap as it stands now is not working.

6.02. Breaking Caps. For those teams whose boards have provided a budget lower than the league maximum teams are allowed to exceed their set budgets (up to the league maximum). However, in doing so teams risk going into debt. Please see rule 6.03 for penalties regarding teams in debt. Teams can be over the maximum budget up to $85,000,000 from the start of the playoffs to the end of the preseason but must be under the cap by the start of the season. You will not be allowed to sign any UFA's that put you over the offseason cap (ie puts you over 85 million in budget). Any team that violates the cap will have their highest paid player released. If a free agent signing is the cause of going over the cap and it is not rectified by the start of the season, it will NOT be the recent signing that is released.

[oilersgm]

Oct 21, 2020 20:05:37 GMT boltsgm said:

Oct 21, 2020 18:24:51 GMT oilersgm said:

6.02. Breaking Caps. For those teams whose boards have provided a budget lower than the league maximum teams are allowed to exceed their set budgets (up to the league maximum). However, in doing so teams risk going into debt. Please see rule 6.03 for penalties regarding teams in debt. Teams can be over the maximum budget up to $85,000,000 from the start of the playoffs to the end of the preseason but must be under the cap by the start of the season. You will not be allowed to sign any UFA's that put you over the offseason cap (ie puts you over 85 million in budget). Any team that violates the cap will have their highest paid player released. If a free agent signing is the cause of going over the cap and it is not rectified by the start of the season, it will NOT be the recent signing that is released.

Fair, though I would point out that your news section says you haven't signed anyone to new contracts since March 17th, which means your only changes since would be from promotions/demotions. I see you promoted McIntyre (380k), but that would still have left you about 4.6mil over the cap as of March 18th, which was before the playoffs started.

[BluesGM]

Teams are allowed to go over the cap in the playoffs. I have always been under the cap until the playoffs when I gave some extensions to some players

The cap is fine

[oilersgm]

Oct 22, 2020 11:08:38 GMT BluesGM said:

Teams are allowed to go over the cap in the playoffs. I have always been under the cap until the playoffs when I gave some extensions to some players

The cap is fine

Yes, I did not realize the playoff specific thing and saw that you had given extensions during the playoffs.


Despite your well reasoned and eloquent position, the cap is not fine. 

[BluesGM]

As long as the cap is enforced, it's fine the way it is. I don't see the need to separate AHL contracts as you should have all your minor leaguers on two way deals which would add minimal cap. If you don't, then that's the GM's fault.

We had issues last year with GMs purposely going over the cap for no reason during the season,and while I think the penalties were not harsh enough, GMs have done a better job staying under the cap when they have to. I did many cap checks this season, and no one was over.

As for teams having too many players over 80OA and still being under the cap, well I don't know what you want done there. Eventually those teams will have to move out salary (like me this off season). If GMs were more active and have the cap space, they can use that to their advantage and acquire some of those top players for their team. With half the teams not having their own GMs, theres no reason why human controlled teams shouldn't be talented. That's on the GM and had nothing to do with the cap

[SensGM]

I wonder if we should do a waiver type draft after the season roll over is completed. Teams would protect 6 forwards, 4 defensemen, 1 goaltender. Prospects and farm players with less then 4 years service would not eligible. Teams can lose up to 3 players.

This way some of the GM-less teams with little talent would get a major boost and it would spread some of the wealth around.

If find it hard to believe that some GM's have issues staying under the cap as I have been able to do it with both of my teams. I have had to move several players off of Anaheim and a few off of Ottawa to make it work cap wise. We need to all watch teams spending and those violating the cap need to be identified quicker. Repeat offenders need to be dealt with and no more slaps on the wrist.

[oilersgm]

Oct 22, 2020 15:18:41 GMT BluesGM said:

As long as the cap is enforced, it's fine the way it is. I don't see the need to separate AHL contracts as you should have all your minor leaguers on two way deals which would add minimal cap. If you don't, then that's the GM's fault.

We had issues last year with GMs purposely going over the cap for no reason during the season,and while I think the penalties were not harsh enough, GMs have done a better job staying under the cap when they have to. I did many cap checks this season, and no one was over.

As for teams having too many players over 80OA and still being under the cap, well I don't know what you want done there. Eventually those teams will have to move out salary (like me this off season). If GMs were more active and have the cap space, they can use that to their advantage and acquire some of those top players for their team. With half the teams not having their own GMs, theres no reason why human controlled teams shouldn't be talented. That's on the GM and had nothing to do with the cap

So my point is that it's too easy to stay under the cap and to horde talent. For instance, Kerry Dorn has 82 defence, 79 overall, but spent the entire season in the AHL and is under contract for another 2 seasons. Anaheim has a goalie, Larocque, with 78pot 80con in the AHL, making 88.5k for 2 more years. Tampa Bay has Scott Chambers, whose projected as an 87 defence defenceman, but he's 25 and has spent 4 full years in the AHL without an NHL game because Tampa doesn't need an 87 defence defenceman, they already have 7 better, while 26 year old Ravil Ukhtomsky is projected to reach 84 offense but has just 1 NHL game played. Sure, his defence is crap, but shouldn't we want players to reach their potential?

Look, we all know the game is oversaturated with talent, and that's hard to correct for. There are guys who went in the 2nd round in 2026 (and didn't get boosts) who would have been top-5 picks in every draft since.

Let's say you're a new GM, taking over a middle of the pack team. You could trade your picks to get older talent, but you're never going to be able to amass the talent of the top teams with picks, either in quality or quantity (for instance, why would NJ or Anaheim trade Dorn or Larocque just for a 1st rounder, knowing that Dorn/Larocque are probably better than most 1st rounders). You could trade your NHL talent for picks, but those picks aren't likely going to result in better players, considering the weak drafts relative to the oversaturated league. You could try to sign players in free agency, but the easy cap means there aren't many options available on the market. 


Maybe you're right that the cap isn't the problem, but there is a problem. I freely admit that I don't know what the best fix is, which is why I was throwing out ideas. Ottawa's idea is an interesting one, though I don't know how well it would work (honestly, it could be great, could be terrible, I have no idea).
I mentioned separating NHL and AHL caps because that would, in theory, both prevent teams from underpaying AHLers (so they have more NHL cap space) and hording AHLers that they'll never call up but other teams might - would it work? Again, no idea.
I'm pretty sure there's another GM here in the EHEC, which uses the formulas-for-contracts method and, as I said, it's complicated but it works. 

There are probably a ton of other options, some good many bad. Regardless, I think the number of human GMs (10? 12?) and the gap in talent makes it obvious that things aren't working as is. 

[BluesGM]

We could bring back the waiver draft and only allow non-playoff teams (or something) the opportunity to pick players. But I see that as a way for rewarding teams for being bad

To be honest, if you know what you're doing, you should be able to turn your team into a contender. When I took over STL, they had zero prospects and a lot of old talent. NJ was the same before Arty took over. GMs just need to make smart moves, use their CON/POT boosts properly and they should be able to turn their team around.

Why should other GMs be penalized for developing good teams?