Gator

Not sure exactly how I'll approach this yet. I want the draft done by OCT 1st at the latest if possible

This is the place! Just check the OP and take a team that's not selected and I'll lock you in. I just sent you a message giving you the basics of how these leagues work, but if you have any questions feel free to ask in the thread, GMs are pretty helpful with the newbies (just tread carefully in the trade talks lol). Hope to see you join!

ROUNDS: 40 (snake draft) 22/23 PROSPECT LIMIT: 10 1 max in first 10 rounds 3 max in first 20 rounds That is not a final ruling, but is currently where my head is at in terms of how the draft will be done. Looking to get some feedback. We will have a cap space year 1 that mirror's the NHL (this is dependant on having a full 32 team league).. If we don't we may still have a cap space, it'll just be inflated based on number of teams we have. All players not drafted will be free agents, unless they'd be eligible for the 2024 draft. All free agents will be shopped by agents to give everyone a chance at them. Any team that makes an original offer for said players will have a slight edge on the negotiations and they may sign for a tad cheaper with them over a team that came in after the agents shop them in the thread. That is no guaranteed, as other factors will also come into play, but you do get "brownie points" for that early offer. Things that will be factored into the first waive of free agents include... - Player relations - Current state of team. A team that drafted with mainly the future in mind, shouldn't expect to sign a guy that's looking to win now, even if (in some cases) more $/term was offered. - Initial offer will definitely give you an edge in talks. Especially when weighing options between 2 similar teams - Money vs win now. This will come down to a players age/situation. For instance, an aging guy will likely want to win over making money, and a player in his prime will likely be looking for that lucrative longterm deal. Some may want both. Every situation will be different, and I believe with the right agents it will be a very smooth/stress free experience for everyone. ... As the years go on "tenure" will play a major role in the free agents process as well.. However other things will still be looked at. Like if you had a guy 5+ years, but he's 33, and you're rebuilding, he will likely leave despite tenure. Captains may stick around just because, but is no guaranteed. The goal is to bring as much of a real life feel to players decision making as possible.

I claim all 3

Probably won't work on my phone, but I'll keep in mind for when I'm on the laptop!

Will be based on NHL contracts.

7 - Luke Hughes (6 too low) HM - Xavier Bourgault And a bunch of kids being slept on

years 5-7 it could be a deal. Right now, other than being a Lightning player.. Ewe

7x5.2m though.. Was about to put in a claim, but... ouch

What list is this from?

EKL was the first league I joined on here. Think I was the Sens and had Elias Pettersson but I joined the year it shut down. Yea I'm torn on the 1-2 draft thing. Personally I think 2 would be better to do, but a lot seem to prefer the 1 draft method. No matter what I want teams to draft minimum 25-30 players minimum for their NHL/AHL. So if we are adding 10-15 prospects were looking at a 40-45 round draft. If I combine them I'll likely cap the amount of prospects you can select in the 1st 5, 10, and 20 rounds. After that, it'll be fair game up to a max of 10-15 total prospects. Atleast that's where my head is currently at with it.

I'm considering the idea of randomizing each individual rounds order. I have someone willing to live feed the randomization process so that would depend on their willingness to do it. Will essentially be putting 40x(ish) more the workload on them by doing that. We'll have something figured out. Hopefully sooner than later. Teamsheets are progressing pretty good, hopefully that'll be done withing the next week and we can start working on a CBA and getting dates set. Hoping to have the draft no later than OCT 1st. I would like to have a full 32 team league before doing it, but I know it'll be tough to do in such little time. Only 20 more to go though. Maybe it'll fill up a bit faster once that number starts getting closer to 0 lol I plan to have this league going for the long haul. I don't want this to just be a little gimmick league that fails in a few years. A lot of things are being looked at to help improve the draft and free agency, and I'm also looking at a few other things that reward teams for their success. Agents will be shopping players (in most cases) rather than taking far below market value because they were the only team interested. To me it is an agents job to get the best deal for their client, and ALL things will be considered when an agent is deciding to sign a contract.. Veterans will likely chase a cup rather than money, younger players in their prime may take money over winning.. Tenure (loyalty) with team will play a factor... Player relations. Everything will be looked at and carefully considered. Tenure, Player relations, etc, could also play a big factor in a players willingness to extend with your team rather than test free agency. As for the draft I'm leaning towards doing round 1 & 2 one day, and 3-5 the next day. Likely a Saturday & Sunday. Just to allow for more time limits in the first 2 rounds where I feel a lot of strategy comes into play when it comes to trade up/down situations. Rounds 3-5 will likely be a speedy 3 minute a pick GML style, but I want to allow GMs the time to make good/bad decisions while on the clock in the early rounds.. Or other GMs to make a push for a trade up.

They technically can. Big mix of young and old players in the fantasy draft regardless of prospects being combined into the main draft. I am trying to create a league that avoids the hard tank strategy. Not punishing them too harshly. Formatting the draft to allow someone to take 20 of the best prospects, before finally compiling a team of average or worse players, doesn't seem to be a smart play. I do like @Gallysuggestion of having 1 draft, and just capping the amount of prospects you can take, and right now its looking like that may be the way we go with it.

Starting to wonder if I should offer the first 8 picks to Metropolitan teams to see how fast they fill up

Maple Leafs are proud to bring back Andreas. Our hope is he will crack the Penguins lineup and give us some bottom 6 production. With us already having Reilly Smith we wanted to add 1 more egg from the Penguins basket incase they make the playoffs. I know the guys in the locker room are excited to have him back.

I like that idea tbh. Will for sure be considered

I am thinking about making an exception for Connor Bedard and putting him in the fantasy draft. As I've said nothing is set in stone, and will be taking everything into consideration before making a decision. There's a couple GMs working on little details with me in the background, and we are going to do our best to make the process as enjoyable and fair for everyone as possible. May even do a traditional draft style instead of a snake draft, and do reverse order of the fantasy draft for the prospect draft. That way you don't get elite talent in the fantasy draft at 32 & 33, and also get the best prospect available. I do agree that could be pretty OP

40 may be a bit too high, but 30-35 is likely where it'd fall. 23 man roster + 7-12 man AHL depth. May make it just 25-30 round when it's all said and done. Like I said, nothing set in stone yet. Things definitely will happen organically soon, but out of the gate I would like balance. If some GMs drop out after initial draft(s) I don't want the team(s) in shambles. I want them to be attractive destinations for a potential new GM if need be. Again nothing is set in stone, I'm just explaining my thoughts on why I feel the 2 seperate drafts may be the way to go. Could make it 1 draft up to 40-45 rounds and just limit the amount of unsigned prospects you can draft. That would essentially combine the 2 draft model and combine it into 1.. At the end of the day, I want this to be enjoyable experience for everyone

Metropolitan getting no love

I am leaning towards 2 seperate drafts. I feel if I combine them some GMs will lean too much 1 way. I want a good balance throughout the league, with all teams having a solid mix of NHL talent and prospects. I'm thinking between 30-40 rounds for the fantasy draft, and a 10 round 22/23 prospects draft. It's not set in stone yet, but that's the way I'm currently leaning.

And with the 1st overall selection of the GFL fantasy draft. The Montreal Canadiens select Jack D Hughes!

1 very important rule everyone should (don't have to) follow is you're not allowed to draft a Hughes.

Chicago's cap space rumored to be cut in half due to overstaffing

I thought that initially, but felt that would add a lot of rounds to what will already be a lengthy fantasy draft. Feel having 2 or 3 (Leaning towards 2) seperate drafts would be the most ideal. As I said I'm open to ideas though, so if others feel the same way it may be something I'll consider.

Teamsheet preview updated a bit. The trade history is something I want to keep longterm, but if I'm being honest the workload of that may become a bit overwhelming. The rest is for sure here to stay, but I'm not making any promises that I'll keep the trade history going over the long haul. Only time will tell. EDIT: Also if you have anything you'd like to see added to the team sheets lmk. Hoping to have all team sheets ready to go in about a week or so.