NHL 2004

[Lightning Flik 0]

Currently I'm playing NHL 2004 (yes, astonishing, I'm actually on topic) and I'm in a bind. I started Dynasty with the Penguins (felt sorry for them) and just had the WEIRDEST trade proposal given to me after my second game. And I'm really not sure if I should take it or decline it or counter offer it.

 

Toronto has just offered me Centre - T. Green (1.5M), Right Wing - O. Nolen (6M), and Defense - C. Colaiacovo (1.1M) for Centre - M. Lemieux (5.3M), Goalie - J. Hedberg (0.5M), and Goalie - J. Aubin (0.8M).

 

While it is a more expensive trade and I'm not really in the good side of taking trades like this, I am in need of improvements, as well as Lemieux ALONE jumps in price to 12M, Hedberg about 4M (and has played like CRAP last two games posting a GAA of like 5) and Aubin about 1.8M. So I'm not really sure what I'd be losing here. If anything. Not only that, but the trade gives me a good upcoming defense (which I could use right away) and also a good solid right wing (which I don't really have). I will lose a starting goalie, but I do have Marc-Andre Fleury waiting to be used (created him) and if I really need someone badly, I can always probably make something happen.

 

However, I'm not sure I want to pick up two guys whom I'm quite sure will be asking for a lot more than they will be worth (Green and Nolan), add that it's the beginning of the season and I can't really say if it's all that bad.

 

What do you guys think? Should I accept this trade, yah or nah?

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

Owen Nolan is the only guy worth a damn that Toronto is trading. Lemiex will retire after that season. I'd probably take the trade so I could get something for Mario.

[Lightning Flik 0]

I'd figured as much.

 

Hopefully, Fleury does some good in net... Only overall of 79.

 

I'll give you an update on my next game. I also signed Larionov, Berezin, Eriksson, and Lumme as well.

[Red Baron 0]

what goalies do you have?

 

I'd jump on Green and Colaiacovo in a heart beat, but I'm not sure what goalies do u have as well? Besides whats in the market anyways for goalies?

[Lightning Flik 0]

what goalies do you have?

 

I'd jump on Green and Colaiacovo in a heart beat, but I'm not sure what goalies do u have as well? Besides whats in the market anyways for goalies?

Well, um... I have Fleury (created and um... nothing really special) and Caron (who I actually started the last two games).

 

As for who's on the market, I'll have to check...

 

Felix Potvin 86 (6.9M for 2 years)

Jamie Storr 85 (6.1M for 2 years)

Tim Thomas 76 (1.6M for 2 years)

Levente Szuper 76 (1.6M for 2 years)

Cory Hirsch 74 (1.5M for a year)

Marc Lamothe 74 (1.5M for 2 years)

Travis Scott 74 (1.2M for a year)

 

Since I've only got 10.2 million left, I'm half tempted NOT to sign Potvin or Storr to a deal and just pick up Levente Szuper (sending either him or Fleury to the minors).

 

Oh, and that trade for Green, Nolan and Colaiacovo was an awesome deal. Nolan was inked in for a 5 year deal with Toronto, and I picked that up. Green's a couple of years, so Colaiacovo was the only one I needed to sign for a while. So I think I really made a good trade. Considering Caron has only let in 5 goals in the last two games, I must say that the trade has done me good as I do have some good goaltending.

 

Fleury's getting his first start here shortly, not sure if I might deal Green away (his endurance is pitifully 54, and so he'll drag any line I put him on down), and since there are some guys on the FA that look really good... I'm kinda interested here (Comrie, Nieuwendyk, Mironov, Keane) in seeing if I should or not...

[MrRant 0]

[off topic]I just want to say that I think you should change your name to Lightning Elk.[/off topic]

 

I usually play a few games and see what develops and then hit the FA wire.

[Lightning Flik 0]

[off topic]I just want to say that I think you should change your name to Lightning Elk.[/off topic]

 

I usually play a few games and see what develops and then hit the FA wire.

Already HAVE played some games, I'm 5 games into the season. (edit: correction 4 games into the season)

 

And shit... You have to be kidding, was just offered this from Atlanta:

 

J. DiPenta - Defense - 68

A. Sutton - Defense - 75

M. Weaver - Defense - 68

 

for

 

K. Buchberger - Right Wing - 73

M. Sivec - Centre - 68

4th Round Pick

 

Hm... I get a quality defensemen out of this... Hm.. and I pretty much ain't losing too much from this as well as I only lose Buchberger (whom I can insert Green into the lineup). So I'll take it. Definitely another interesting trade.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Well here's a NICE occurance...

 

Now my damned offense can't produce worth a damn. I lost to Carolina 2-1 then I get shelled by Devils 7-1. Fleury has been stellar in both losses as he stopped 40+ both nights. The 7-1 thrashing was my fault as I played shitty defense (big time).

 

Thankfully after the Devils, I had the Canadiens the next night and Fleury blanked them (facing 48 shots) in my 2-0 win.

 

So I don't think I need to improve my goaltending at all. It should be good with Caron and Fleury doing the duties.

 

Anyways, just thought I should ask a question. Since my offense has been piss poor, I made some recent acquistions (geez, does this sound familiar?) and was wondering what you guys would do for lineups with the roster given. I've got an idea of whom should go where, but I wonder what you guys think.

 

(Should be noted that I'm just putting the guys whom I've used over the course of the 8-10 games of the season I played and whom would make a big impact)

 

T. Green - C

I. Larionov - C

B. Holzinger - C

M. Comrie - C

M. Savard - C (currently injuried)

S. McKenna - LW

T. Surovy - LW

G. Lefebvre - LW

A. Morozov - LW

R. Abid - LW

S. Berezin - LW

J. Chavayada - RW (created player 74 overall, second scorer 5pts)

E. Meloche - RW (top scorer 8pts)

R. Fata - RW

O. Nolan - RW

C. Colaiacovo - D

J. Melichar - D

M. Bergevin - D

J. DiPenta - D

W. Redden - D

R. Lupaschuk - D

M. Rozsival - D

D. Tarnstrom - D

M. Weaver - D

M. Lintner - D

J. Lumme - D

A. Sutton - D

A. Eriksson - D

S. Neckar - D

M. Fleury - G

S. Caron - G

 

Damn, I've played a ton of defensemen haven't I? And I've got quite a few good ones as well.

 

Anyways, here's what I was thinking of lineups:

 

Line 1

R. Abid - LW

M. Comrie - C

E. Meloche - RW

 

Line 2

T. Surovy - LW

I. Larionov - C

O. Nolan - RW

 

Line 3

S. Berezin - LW

T. Green - C

J. Chavayada - RW

 

Line 4

G. Lefebvre - LW

B. Holzinger - C

R. Fata - RW

 

Defense Parings

W. Redden - LD 1

D. Tarnstrom - RD 1

A. Eriksson - LD 2

A. Sutton - RD 2

C. Colaiacovo - LD 3

J. Lumme- RD 3

 

Powerplay 1

S. Berezin - LW

M. Comrie - C

O. Nolan - RW

W. Redden - LD

C. Colaiacovo - RD

 

Powerplay 2

J. Chavayada - LW

I. Larionov - C

E. Meloche - RW

A. Eriksson - LD

J. Lumme - RD

 

4 Man Powerplay 1

O. Nolan - LW

M. Comrie - C

W. Redden - LD

C. Colaiacovo - RD

 

4 Man Powerplay 2

E. Meloche - LW

I. Larionov - C

A. Eriksson - LD

J. Lumme - RD

 

Penalty Kill 1

G. Lefebvre - LW

B. Holzinger - C

W. Redden - LD

J. Lumme - RD

 

Penalty Kill 2

T. Surovy- LW

T. Green - C

A. Sutton - LD

D. Tarnstrom - RD

 

3 Man Penalty Kill 1

B. Holzinger - C

W. Redden - LD

J. Lumme - RD

 

3 Man Penalty Kill 2

T. Green - C

A. Sutton - LD

D. Tarnstrom - RD

 

Extra Attackers

M. Comrie - X1

E. Meloche - X2

 

Goalies

M. Fleury - SG

S. Caron - BG

 

Hero Line

S. Berezin - LW

M. Comrie - C

O. Nolan - RW

J. Chavayada - LD

E. Meloche - RD

 

Anything see anything wrong with that?

[MrRant 0]

Only thing I see wrong is how long it had to take you to type that out.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Only thing I see wrong is how long it had to take you to type that out.

About two minutes. Not long really.

 

So you think this is alright? Only thing I see a problem with is I'm a little bit on the PK lately, so I'm thinking that I should probably put some more regulars on.

 

I also just recently found out in my last game that Meloche and Chavayada are a pretty good team as Meloche set up 2 of Chavayada's 3 goals against the Isle. Then again it IS the Islanders, so that can be taken with a grain of salt (second time I've blown them out, 8-3 this time and players just hit the back of the net with anything).

 

I'm just a little worried about how far my defense will take me. I give up about 3-4 goals a game, averagely, so I'm concerned if I sputter out on offense.

[MrRant 0]

You've only played what? 10 games? I usually wait until about 1/4 through to make any moves.

 

Switch around a bit until then and if you are still crap then either upgrade your D or upgrade the O to compensate.

[the max 0]

I would stay out of trades until the market picks up at the deadline.

 

Then, pick yourself up a top-line LW and a stalwart defenseman.

[Lightning Flik 0]

I would stay out of trades until the market picks up at the deadline.

 

Then, pick yourself up a top-line LW and a stalwart defenseman.

Well the reason why I'm looking into trades and pickups is because my team can't do anything worth a damn. I'm 14 games in, I'm in the second for the division (even though I've lost the last four games, last five of six), so I'm kinda in a bind for getting something to work.

 

What really bites, is my defense just blows up everytime I turn around. I mean, 40 shots were fired at my goaltender in those last six games, and frankly, I'm not impressed...

 

My offense works, just the defensive end blows up... I don't know why. It's pissing me off to hell.

[the max 0]

So start shopping some of your defensemen that you currently have that are failing, and look for a few guys that are quick, a few guys that can hit, and one quick, excellent hitter.

 

Then, you pair a quick defenseman with a checking defenseman. Use the quick defenseman to follow guys around and block shots and keep the hitter in front of the net to clear guys away from the goaltender, clear rebounds, etc.

 

That way, you'll have a well-rounded defense.

 

And when trade time comes around, you can shop more guys for that top LW that your team needs.

[Lightning Flik 0]

So start shopping some of your defensemen that you currently have that are failing, and look for a few guys that are quick, a few guys that can hit, and one quick, excellent hitter.

 

Then, you pair a quick defenseman with a checking defenseman. Use the quick defenseman to follow guys around and block shots and keep the hitter in front of the net to clear guys away from the goaltender, clear rebounds, etc.

 

That way, you'll have a well-rounded defense.

 

And when trade time comes around, you can shop more guys for that top LW that your team needs.

Well, I made some slight changes to my roster:

 

I signed Comrie and Potvin so as I had a true first line centre and not having to depend on Fleury to be shelled every night with a so-so defense.

 

I'm probably going to trade Tarnstrom or Rozsival away to pick up someone. Maybe even trade away a draft pick or two.

 

I'll have to look up the FA market as well, as there is some free agents that look quite good as well. *looks* Well, that turned up nothing. Crap.

 

Oh well, time to look and see what's being offered.

 

Ok... I traded Tarnstrom for R. Salei. I then placed Salei were Sutton was and put Rozsival were Tarnstrom is.

 

Well, I'm going to be playing the Panthers... My team's endurance has taken a hit because I did two long practices after my last loss, so I hope my team comes out of this alright. As well as my team is playing below what they should be due to not having good enough upgrades (although, I'm 38 points from getting another one).

 

Also, I'm looking into finding a LW when the time comes.

[the max 0]

Salei/Rozsival is a fantastic pairing, as Salei has big hit power, and Rozsival moves incredibly well.

 

I'd look to deal Potvin at the deadline, if Fleury is ready of course. And trade Tarnstrom.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Salei/Rozsival is a fantastic pairing, as Salei has big hit power, and Rozsival moves incredibly well.

 

I'd look to deal Potvin at the deadline, if Fleury is ready of course. And trade Tarnstrom.

Ok... Salei and Rozsival you say? I'll have to look up that pairing for my next outting. It has definite ring to it. Just means I demote Salei to second line and bump up Eriksson to first line, but that's not a big deal.

 

Also, I think I might trade Potvin, it it wasn't in the last 5 wins he's gotten (or was it six, oh wait, that was Fleury who played a game), he's only allowed 9 goals. And four of those came from a game where I played shitty, shitty, shitty hockey (my bad, totally), which actually happens to be the very last game I played. I'm still giving Fleury some time in some games, but he's been off and on again (kinda Chemanicky), so I'll just have to wait it out I guess. He's been pretty good. It's really going to depend here as if I manage to retain my 1st place division ranking then I'll probably keep Potvin, but if not, then I'll probably trade him.

 

But I must tell you some seriously bad news Max. I've already traded Tarnstrom. I traded him away to get Salei. Sorry, but he's gone already. And I'm thanking myself for doing that.

 

Oh and I found out some disturbing news. To stop teams from beating my ass a lot, is not only stop making good mistakes, but make sure that I don't get on the penalty kill. In my last 6 games, almost all the goals came while I was shorthanded (that's 9 of 12, with one more after the penalty ended) so as long as I don't get on the PK, I should win! Great news for me.

 

Also, I find it amusing that my offense's only consistant producer is my RW (well, currently playing left-wing on line two with Green at Centre and Nolan as RW) Chavayada. The guy is a f'n behemoth when it comes to goal scoring. Currently he has 20 of the 73 goals scored by the team and recently been on tear getting at least 4 hattricks in his last 10 games. Needless to say, I'm happy someone is producing on my team (he's also leading the team with 24pts). Now if I could only get another top player and I'd be REALLY doing some damage.

 

Oh and just to let you all know, since my last questioning about defense and such, I've been on a six game winning streak. Going into a tough back to back schedule of games against the Devils (who blew me out the last time 7-1) and then the Sens (only 4 pts back from me), so I'm in for a loss I'm thinking.

[the max 0]

I'm glad you traded Tarnstrom

 

Try to deal a few of your underachieving 3rd and 4th line wingers for some offensive help. Package them with a low draft pick (3rd or 4th round) and deal them for some help.

 

For example, in my game, I managed to package Aaron Gavey, Lubomir Sekaras, and a 2nd round draft pick to New Jersey for Sergei Brylin and their second rounder. Brylin fits the Wild perfectly. Then, I was able to bring up some of my scratched players, who have been producing, AND swing a HUGE deal for Al MacInnis to give me help on my blueline.

 

At week's end:

 

Minnesota Wild: 16-5-1-1, good for 4th in the conference.

 

Once you acquire help, make sure to keep your lines balanced. Don't load all your firepower onto one line. I learned this the hard way when I got shutout in my first three games because I had Gaborik-Walz-Brunette on my top line and nothing else left.

 

And an underrated player in the game...Hnat Domenichelli. He's fast, has a hell of a shot, doesn't get penalized often, and passes well.

 

And for help on the penalty kill, I guess all I can say is...SPEED. Make sure that at least your top unit has speed to get the puck in their zone. And don't try for short-handed goals until you are comfortable with your PK unit. Just keep firing it down ice.

[Lightning Flik 0]

I'm glad you traded Tarnstrom

 

Try to deal a few of your underachieving 3rd and 4th line wingers for some offensive help. Package them with a low draft pick (3rd or 4th round) and deal them for some help.

 

For example, in my game, I managed to package Aaron Gavey, Lubomir Sekaras, and a 2nd round draft pick to New Jersey for Sergei Brylin and their second rounder. Brylin fits the Wild perfectly. Then, I was able to bring up some of my scratched players, who have been producing, AND swing a HUGE deal for Al MacInnis to give me help on my blueline.

 

At week's end:

 

Minnesota Wild: 16-5-1-1, good for 4th in the conference.

 

Once you acquire help, make sure to keep your lines balanced. Don't load all your firepower onto one line. I learned this the hard way when I got shutout in my first three games because I had Gaborik-Walz-Brunette on my top line and nothing else left.

 

And an underrated player in the game...Hnat Domenichelli. He's fast, has a hell of a shot, doesn't get penalized often, and passes well.

 

And for help on the penalty kill, I guess all I can say is...SPEED. Make sure that at least your top unit has speed to get the puck in their zone. And don't try for short-handed goals until you are comfortable with your PK unit. Just keep firing it down ice.

Hm... Well considering I lost my 4th already to aquire Nolan and Green, I'm kinda hesistant to do it again. Although, I'll see what I can manage.

 

My biggest worry is not a powerful one line combo, but rather a powerful ONE MAN team. Seriously, Chavayada is like the ultimate goal scorer (for some reason), I mean, yes, he's taken 90 some odd shots, so he's bound to get some in, but the guy can be like DEAD tired and still beat the goalie. But in all honesty, line two probably does need to be seperated because I've got Nolan, Green, and Chavayada on it and they produce a lot. Then again, my line one with Meloche and Comrie are clicking (I'm not adding Berezin because the bastard just gets all the heat from the +/-). And the other lines are producing as expected of them (hey, when most of the team has 5 pts to their name, I consider that producing).

 

As for Hnat Domenichelli, if I remember correctly, he's a centre and I've already got problems at Centre since Green is bitching about playing time, I've got Comrie whom I'm worried about dropping to line 2 (since my line 2 really is much better of a line), I've got Holzinger complaining about ice time as well, and then I've got to figure out how to add Marc Savard into my lineup (I traded for him while injuried, stupid me). So it's going to be interesting.

 

Well as for the PK, if I'm on the PK and play offensively, I get out of it ok. I play defensively on the PK, and I usually end up scrambling and getting my ass scored on. I'll have to see what I do offensively on PK I guess and translate that into my PK.

 

And I'm now on a 7 game winning streak! WOOOO!

[the max 0]

You can always move Domenichelli to wing.

 

And with the Holzinger situation, package him and deal him. Savard is a far better player and producer than Holzinger is, yet Holzinger might actually reap some kind of benefit if you get him in a good package.

[Lightning Flik 0]

You can always move Domenichelli to wing.

 

And with the Holzinger situation, package him and deal him. Savard is a far better player and producer than Holzinger is, yet Holzinger might actually reap some kind of benefit if you get him in a good package.

Hm, I'll see what I can do with him but yah, dealing him might be an idea.

 

However, considering Morozov is in low morale, I think I'll package the two of them together in deal to get a better left-wing.

 

Hopefully it works.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Well, I went shopping on today (November 24, 2003): I only wish I could find a way to keep my trades remembered.

 

Found out I was in the negative, so I started getting rid of people whom I didn't need *grin* so I went shopping for picks.

 

Just recently I traded Holzinger, Bergiven, and Neckar to Carolina for DeFaux and 5th round pick.

 

Then I traded to Edmonton, I got rid of Morozov for Pasani and a 2004 draft pick (4th round).

 

And finally to Boston for a 4th round pick and Huml, I got rid of McCenna, Eastwood, and Lintner.

 

Not too bad I say. Now I'm exactly (more or less) at even steven with my revenue so I'm not complaining. I might end up trading Potvin near the deadline (I CAN use Fleury, I just need to play good).

 

Now if you'll excuse me, but after my recent loss to Ottawa (and the end of my 7 game winning streak) I need to make some new lineups.

[the max 0]

That Huml deal is a good one.

 

The other players, I've never heard of before...don't know if that's good or not, considering what you gave up, but it's most understandable.

[Lightning Flik 0]

That Huml deal is a good one.

 

The other players, I've never heard of before...don't know if that's good or not, considering what you gave up, but it's most understandable.

Huml deal is a good one, but he'll have to sneek into my lineup.

 

As for DeFauw, I'm not sure about him myself, but he's gotten 12 pts so I picked him up for the heck of it.

 

Pasani is a great player that really will become a first line player. Yet again, he's someone who will appear on my lineup by chance.

 

Oh and really, I was more into dumping players that are complaining about time they aren't getting. I've still got problems (I still have Sutton and Green), but I'm happy I ditched a lot of them.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Oh boy. I'm kinda scared about Chavayada.

 

I've currently got 105 goals scored by the team. 33 of them by Chavayada. I'm only 23 games into the season...

 

Now then, what scares me is that until lvl 5 in any category upgrades, your playing sub-par. Which means Chavayada isn't in AT his highest potential... Needless to say, I'm quite happy I didn't decide to trade him earlier because he'd probably come back to bite my ass... But I also worry about him going down to injury as the rest of my team isn't producing as good as him.

 

Oh, and I'm finding that getting Potvin was a minor upgrade from Fleury as the only thing Potvin is doing better than Fleury in right now is Endurance rating. That's about it.

[the max 0]

With Chavayada, put him on a 3rd line and only play him when you really need a goal.

 

I do that with Lubos Bartecko in my game. He's a second line left wing that does not touch the puck unless I need a goal. He's got 25 and I'm only through 25 games.

 

For Potvin, I dunno...I guess try and get Fleury some experience and play him. If Fleury responds well, you can trade Potvin.

[Lightning Flik 0]

With Chavayada, put him on a 3rd line and only play him when you really need a goal.

 

I do that with Lubos Bartecko in my game. He's a second line left wing that does not touch the puck unless I need a goal. He's got 25 and I'm only through 25 games.

 

For Potvin, I dunno...I guess try and get Fleury some experience and play him. If Fleury responds well, you can trade Potvin.

Well, ya see, that's the problem with Chavayada... He's been on the third line until recently (and powerplay 2), so I just promoted him to first line for all he's been doing.

 

I've been trading games between Fleury and Potvin so they are relatively even, but I'm kinda hesistant to pull the trigger on Potvin, as with Potvin I'm 8-1 (2.36 GAA, 21 GA, 92.7%, 286 SA) whereas with Fleury I'm 5-4 (3.14 GAA, 28 GA, 92.1%, 352 SA). For some reason, my team gets more wins, less shots and less goals scored on them with Potvin in net, and hence why I'm not sure if I should trade him.

[the max 0]

You could stay quiet with trades then.

 

At least until March, if you make enough money. Because getting a top-line guy to score goals to take pressure off of Chavayada would be my top priority, but, then again, I don't have to worry about salary *just acquired Vincent Lecavalier*

[Lightning Flik 0]

You could stay quiet with trades then.

 

At least until March, if you make enough money. Because getting a top-line guy to score goals to take pressure off of Chavayada would be my top priority, but, then again, I don't have to worry about salary *just acquired Vincent Lecavalier*

Gr... To you and your Ottawaian team... And your ulimated money problems.

 

I must say though, I got an offer from Boston though that just made me cry from laughter.

 

Sean O'Donnell for Josh Chavayada.

 

That was the straight up deal. I don't understand it any better than you could, but oh man that was funny... And the other trade that was at least made by Atlanta that made a hell of a lot of sense (Hnlicka and 1st round and some other player for two little players and Chavayada).

 

But yah, I definitely need to find someone to take the heat off of Chavayada cause he can't do it all. I think I'll see if I can swing a deal for a good leftwing. If it flys... Well, I'll be damn well surprised. Probably make it Berezin as he's not doing much for me.

[the max 0]

I'm Minnesota.