Just started my
Be a Bob Murray - GM of Anaheim Ducks-game. It's now pre-season and nothing has happened yet.
I have had my share of "standard" GM play so I will now approach it with more restrictions - so I can't fleece the CPU.
I will also respect expiring UFAs - while they are easy to extend in the game, I will act like it is not. I will also follow how well player will do (statistics, how does he fit in to the squad) and then make decisions will I trade or even not re-sign him.
I will play 20 or so games, most games I will simulate. In playoffs (should I make it), I will play all or most of the games.
Some of my rules include:
- I can't sign a UFA over 85+ unless it is likely that the player would be interested joining to my team, in my teams situation in real life. (ie. Brad Richards wouldn't sign with Anaheim)
- I will not take the most of what computer teams would offer me, I'll try to make the return as realistic as possible. I will also look will this trade make sense to them. However I could try to pry capdump player from a team that is having problems with salary cap cheap.
- Injuries, waivers are OFF - however if I need to send down a player that I'd need to waive, I need to ship him out for a 5th or something, so I still need to respect waiver eligble players for my team. There is a possibility that I turn injuries on for the playoffs.
-Why I didn't add waivers for CPU - it is quite rare that a player from waivers make impact (Grabner for example) and even then it is very unlikely that it would hit Anaheim from all 29 teams.
- CPU trades and salary cap are ON.
- GM Sacking is off, I will stay in Anaheim for all of this game length.
However, this is not trying to be that realistic in every case. I will be more inclined to dramatic scenarios. For example (read below), Perry and Getzlaf will be traded if I'm out of playoff contention in the first year - they don't want to stay anymore then.
Also I've started this with the current roster update, so Niklas Hagman is still with the Ducks. So this is an alternative universe where Hagman stayed on the Ducks - he has 1 year left on his 3 million deal.
So here it begins, Anaheim's story as it is told by BigMacJokinen. Enjoy
*****
Anaheim Ducks, season 1 (2012-2013)
Media report (pre-season): "It has been told that Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry have sit down with Bob Murray, the general manager of Anaheim, and have told that their time is up unless the team improves this season. Facing big pressure, this year is very decisive for Anaheim and Bob Murray"
Media prediction for Anaheim: battling for the last playoffs spot, 9th
Interview with Bob Murray (GM of Anaheim)
Q: "Are the rumours true that Getzlaf and Perry are leaving?"
Bob: "No, they are very happy to stay here and they are very important players to us, I don't see them leaving the foreseeable future."
Q: "Are you planning to play RPG-line together again?"
Bob: "Well this is our head coach (Bruce Boudreau) decision but what I've talked with Bruce, this is correct, we will try this and I'm pretty sure they'll be deadly together."
Q: "Will any rookie make the roster this season, maybe Sami Vatanen?"
Bob: "This is our coaches decision, but from what I've heard, Kyle (Palmieri) looks ready and could make a good impact to the team. Sami, well I think he needs to adjust to the NA game, so he will start in the AHL but he's good kid so maybe he does play later this season."
Q: "Will you make the playoffs this season?"
Bob: "Yes, definetly. We had some bad luck last season but I'm sure now our first season with Bruce and getting better seasons from Getzlaf and co. we'll make the playoffs, no question about that."
Anaheim current roster (Season 1 | Pre-season)
Bobby Ryan (86) - Ryan Getzlaf (88) - Corey Perry (88)
Niklas Hagman (78) - Saku Koivu (78) - Teemu Selänne (82)
Daniel Winnik (78) - Andrew Cogliano (80) - Kyle Palmieri (77)
Matt Beleskey (75) - Nick Bonino (73) - Jason Blake (76)
healthy scratch: Pelley (70), Staubitz (67)
Cam Fowler (77) - Francois Beauchemin (83)
Luca Sbisa (84) - Toni Lydman (81)
Sheldon Souray (78) - Bryan Allen (81)
Jonas Hiller (82)
Dan Ellis (76)
Salary cap:
61,495M / 70,200M
Reserve list: 49/50 contracts, 3/40 unsigned prospects
Closest to make the roster / AHL callups:
Jeff Deslauriers (G, 73)
Mat Clark (D, 74)
Brandon McMillan (LW, 78)
Dan Sexton (RW, 74)
Devante Smith-Pelly (LW, 73)
Peter Holland (C, 72)
Most talented prospects (in AHL/junior)
Emerson Etem (4,5*)
John Gibson (4,5*)
Max Friberg (3,5*)
Devante Smith-Pelly (3,5*)
Hampus Lindholm (3,5*)
Sami Vatanen (3,5*)
*****
Rumours. Anaheim is aiming to sign a depth defenceman from UFA market or trade for one. Preferably right-handed.
More updates to come, after the season kickoff.
?
) his last season.
