MSHL Reminder

Sunday, March 14th

More and more recently the league has been getting questions on the MSHL, MSHL contracts and STHS demotions / waiver issues. In order to ensure everyone is on the same page the following information should be quite helpful.

Waivers

First, something everyone should already know: any player going from the pro roster to the minors that is 25 or older HAS TO clear waivers. This can be done quite simply by notifying the league via e-mail in the same e-mail GMs submit their lines with. A player can be demoted before he clears and must remain on waivers for two simulations before any claim will go through.

A successful claim on a player off waivers means he is promoted to the claiming team's pro roster where he will be placed as a healthy scratch. In exchange for the claim the team that placed the player on waivers receives $100,000 from the team claiming him.

MSHL Contracts

A player signed to an MSHL contract earns $15,000 and is still, technically speaking, an unrestricted free agent. Players under MSHL contracts appear on the roster and finance pages as making $150,000 but this is only because players in the minors make 10% of their entire salary.

Any player listed as making $150,000 is under an MSHL contract and can be attempted to be signed to a 'pro contract' by contacting the NSHLPA. The team who holds the player's MSHL contract rights will then be notified by the NSHLPA of the offer and has the right to match or refuse the new offer. If they match, the player is signed to the new deal and promoted to their Pro Roster meaning they have to clear waivers before being demoted again.

A player can be signed to an MSHL contract off the unassigned players list so long as he's not a rookie, prospect or hold out (cross-references can be done with the 'prospects & picks' page). GMs can sign MSHL contracts by sending an e-mail to the Commissioner, not the NSHLPA as it's not a negotiated contract. A player may also be released from an MSHL contract for no cost at any time.

If a team refuses to match, the player signs with the new team for no compensation but is also promoted to their pro roster and must clear waivers before being demoted again.

MSHL Roster Size

All teams should carry 3-4 extra players on their minor league rosters in case of injury. This should include one extra goalie, one extra defenseman and one extra forward in case of injury. If the league is ever in a situation where the team does not have enough players to play their game, a random unassigned player will be added to their roster through an MSHL contract.

Promotion / Demotion Protection

GMs may 'protect' their players by submitting a list to the league of any players they do not wish to have promoted or demoted in an instance where the simulator or Commissioner has to run an 'auto roster'.

In submitting players' names via a protection list, the GM must be aware that they will not be able to demote or promote these players either and will require the league's assistance to do so. There is no cost or penalty in changing a player's status but it does take one simulation update to change the player's status so a GM can move him.

Senators GM Trying Hard 'For You!'

Saturday, March 13th

The simulated hockey league was rocked earlier this week when Ottawa Senators GM Steve Page went 'above and beyond' to try and get the most out of one of his players by entering a video contest to send a message.

Earlier this season GM Page acquired veteran defenseman Bryan McCabe and his hefty $8 million contract, which was quite a surprise to a number of GMs considering the team's financial history in the pre-Page era. Since coming to Ottawa McCabe has become the whipping boy for the fans who have started to cheer each time he makes a pass without coughing up the puck.

To get a message through to McCabe, GM Page entered a video contest for Doritos in an attempt to win money to help the team pay for McCabe's high-end contract. In the video GM Page is seen doing just about anything to try and win the money, saying 'This Is What I Do... For You!' the 'you' of course being McCabe.

This insane idea could very well have worked as McCabe had 2 assists and was a +1 in Saturday's game against the Colorado Avalanche.

GMs are asked to please check out the video by clicking here in order to help GM Page win the cash prize.

FG Ratings Reduced

Tuesday, March 9th

After what seemed like months and months of discussion on what could be done to solve the first line fighting issue, the Commissioner has run an STHS 'Mass Edition' based on the DI comparison chart GMs were asked to vote on Monday. All ratings on the roster page are up-to-date and appear to be accurate when you look at their new FG rating.

The only real way to see if the mid-season re-rate worked will come in the days ahead, starting with Day 55's update which will feature the first set of games under the new ratings. Feedback both positive and negative is greatly appreciated either via e-mail or on the NSHL Forum based on the results that are achieved in the upcoming simulations.

FG Rating Reduction Approved!

Tuesday, March 9th

The league has received the necessary 12 votes (and in record time!) to proportionally reduce player FG ratings based on the suggested ratios provided. Of the 15 votes that have come in so far since the e-mail was sent out Monday afternoon, only 1 vote was against the idea so it's fairly clear GMs are eager to reduce fighting in the league.

As for the time-line on when changes were to be made, all votes to adjust the ratings asked for it to happen ASAP and the league is planning on implementing the new ratings after tonight's update. As this may be a timely adjustment depending on the 'mood' of the simulator, the Commissioner admits it may not happen tonight, in which case the league would have to wait until the next time all teams have played the same amount of games to be fair.