Questions about starting an Expansion

[BOSOX2004]

Up until this point, I have been using the Capitals. Now I want to start an expansion team. I created my team and even got started to get some practice in. I do have a few questions.

1. Start trades on hard? Is that the most realistic? Or is Medium good as well?
2.Seems like the best thing to do is to draft young players in the expansion draft with elite potential(fog of war on).
2. I want a young franchise center. I'm trying to keep it realistic(No Conner McDavid). Is there a guy I can get without destroying my draft that is realistic. Eichel, Larkin, Barzel(Still an RFA)?
3.Should the quality of draft prospects be medium or high

[Funkycorm]

I would say trades on medium. I normally apply ground rules that if I am an expansion team I can't trade anyone until the first trade deadline.

I don't know how many young elite players will be available in the expansion draft unless if you are referring to AHL players and not NHL ones. Depending on which you are referring to, it will take multiple years for them to fully develop.

I would keep the draft clas quality on medium.

Realistically, I don't think you get any of those guys. All are young and there is little chance their teams would trade them. If you want to though you are probably giving up multiple years of first round picks.

If you are leaning toward realism, drafting your center of the future is probably much more realistic.

[jtthegreek94]

Quote: Originally Posted by Funkycorm

I would say trades on medium. I normally apply ground rules that if I am an expansion team I can't trade anyone until the first trade deadline. I don't know how many young elite players will be available in the expansion draft unless if you are referring to AHL players and not NHL ones. Depending on which you are referring to, it will take multiple years for them to fully develop. I would keep the draft clas quality on medium. Realistically, I don't think you get any of those guys. All are young and there is little chance their teams would trade them. If you want to though you are probably giving up multiple years of first round picks. If you are leaning toward realism, drafting your center of the future is probably much more realistic.

Absolutely not it's still SO EASY to trade on Hard!

[BigBadAss33]

Quote: Originally Posted by jtthegreek94

Absolutely not it's still SO EASY to trade on Hard!

ummm. Exactly how is it easy to trade on Medium let alone Hard


the CPU absolutely RAPES you on every trade on medium.. meaning you have to OVERPAY for ANY player 82 and above.


The CPU GMs must be on crack with the offers I have seen.


just for giggles I listed Pasternak on the trade block and not one team offered a 1st round pick.. yet NYI wont take 3 1st rounders and an Elite prospect for Barzal..


I have yet to complete a single 1 for 1 trade on HARD.

[BigBadAss33]

Quote: Originally Posted by BOSOX2004

Up until this point, I have been using the Capitals. Now I want to start an expansion team. I created my team and even got started to get some practice in. I do have a few questions. 1. Start trades on hard? Is that the most realistic? Or is Medium good as well? 2.Seems like the best thing to do is to draft young players in the expansion draft with elite potential(fog of war on). 2. I want a young franchise center. I'm trying to keep it realistic(No Conner McDavid). Is there a guy I can get without destroying my draft that is realistic. Eichel, Larkin, Barzel(Still an RFA)? 3.Should the quality of draft prospects be medium or high

if your going to be the expansion team prepare for a lot of overpaid OLDER players and low talent lower 3rd and 4th liners.. In my experience it will take you minimum 3-5 years to even reach the 2nd or 3rd round of the playoffs.


Drafting and FAs are the best to grow the team fast.


FA's are your call but this is how I scout to find the best player available in almost every round.


Scouting is a MAJOR part of this game and there are NO time saving shortcuts that will help you.


I want to be hands on when scouting and telling my scouts who to look at specifically.

I will say that OWNER mode and FOW are OFF. IMO FOW doesn't work properly.


FYI - The 1st 2 years of scouts able to be hired are horrible. They start improving after the 2nd year, just upgrade every year on July 1st which is opening day of Free Agency.


Your coaches also have a huge impact on your players so I suggest a coach that matches well with your best players.



OK on to scouting


1. Dont FIRE you NHL/AHL scouts . Most of them are A+ in one or more Amateur leagues(OHL, QMJHL, WHL, USA) so use that to your advantage.
2. Scout SETUP - 20 MAX Scouts - 2- Russia, 1 or 2 SHL, 1 or 2 LIIGA, 2 Europe, 1 each for all 3 USA leagues, 3 OHL, 3WHL and 3 QMJHL.

So far in my Franchise the 1st and 2nd year scout pool is no good almost BAD. The highest ranked scout was a B-. so Hire him and fire your worst overall scout.

3. IMPORTANT - you really need to know both of your rosters(NHL/AHL) so you know what you need. You cant have a team full of non future NHLers in the AHL or in a few years your toast.

4. CHL scouting - Each league will have 3 scouts. Assign 1 scout to do Forwards and Defense, 1 scout to do Defense and goalies. The 3rd scout will do lower ranked players(150-200).

5. Here is the most important step at least for me. make sure you pay attention to your record and where you are starting FEB 1. This will help you scout the players where you are projected to finish. now once you hit FEB you have to make sure you identify players that may be later picks but are considered a steal.(compare SCOUT Ranking and National Ranking) if you see a guy that is ranked 85 but your scout say 60. Scout that guy until 100% to know if he is a real steal.

6. USE your DRAFT BOARD for your potential picks. APRIL MAY and JUNE you should have all scouts in a region scouting maybe 3 or 4 players. I usually know who my picks are going to be before the 2nd round of the playoffs or MID-May. This helps big time because it also help you determine if you can free up some space for Free Agents by trading a declining overpaid 3rd line player.

A few other tips to help -

I HATE picks above the 4th Round so I will always use 5th, 6th and 7th picks in trades. I will also at the draft trade 3 for 1. example: my 2021 5th,6th and 7th for a 2022 3rd or 4th from a team that is picking near the top. Most teams will do this to add the prospects.

The highest ranked player available is NOT always the BEST Available. look at stats for at least 10 players after your pick when its your turn. if a better player is available later trade down.

Take your time with scouting there is no quick easy route. I spend at least an HOUR real time every day in the prospect list.

Hope this helps!!

BigBadAss33

[Instant C1a55ic]

Quote: Originally Posted by BigBadAss33

if your going to be the expansion team prepare for a lot of overpaid OLDER players and low talent lower 3rd and 4th liners.. In my experience it will take you minimum 3-5 years to even reach the 2nd or 3rd round of the playoffs. Drafting and FAs are the best to grow the team fast. FA's are your call but this is how I scout to find the best player available in almost every round. Scouting is a MAJOR part of this game and there are NO time saving shortcuts that will help you. I want to be hands on when scouting and telling my scouts who to look at specifically. I will say that OWNER mode and FOW are OFF. IMO FOW doesn't work properly. FYI - The 1st 2 years of scouts able to be hired are horrible. They start improving after the 2nd year, just upgrade every year on July 1st which is opening day of Free Agency. Your coaches also have a huge impact on your players so I suggest a coach that matches well with your best players. OK on to scouting 1. Dont FIRE you NHL/AHL scouts . Most of them are A+ in one or more Amateur leagues(OHL, QMJHL, WHL, USA) so use that to your advantage. 2. Scout SETUP - 20 MAX Scouts - 2- Russia, 1 or 2 SHL, 1 or 2 LIIGA, 2 Europe, 1 each for all 3 USA leagues, 3 OHL, 3WHL and 3 QMJHL. So far in my Franchise the 1st and 2nd year scout pool is no good almost BAD. The highest ranked scout was a B-. so Hire him and fire your worst overall scout. 3. IMPORTANT - you really need to know both of your rosters(NHL/AHL) so you know what you need. You cant have a team full of non future NHLers in the AHL or in a few years your toast. 4. CHL scouting - Each league will have 3 scouts. Assign 1 scout to do Forwards and Defense, 1 scout to do Defense and goalies. The 3rd scout will do lower ranked players(150-200). 5. Here is the most important step at least for me. make sure you pay attention to your record and where you are starting FEB 1. This will help you scout the players where you are projected to finish. now once you hit FEB you have to make sure you identify players that may be later picks but are considered a steal.(compare SCOUT Ranking and National Ranking) if you see a guy that is ranked 85 but your scout say 60. Scout that guy until 100% to know if he is a real steal. 6. USE your DRAFT BOARD for your potential picks. APRIL MAY and JUNE you should have all scouts in a region scouting maybe 3 or 4 players. I usually know who my picks are going to be before the 2nd round of the playoffs or MID-May. This helps big time because it also help you determine if you can free up some space for Free Agents by trading a declining overpaid 3rd line player. A few other tips to help - I HATE picks above the 4th Round so I will always use 5th, 6th and 7th picks in trades. I will also at the draft trade 3 for 1. example: my 2021 5th,6th and 7th for a 2022 3rd or 4th from a team that is picking near the top. Most teams will do this to add the prospects. The highest ranked player available is NOT always the BEST Available. look at stats for at least 10 players after your pick when its your turn. if a better player is available later trade down. Take your time with scouting there is no quick easy route. I spend at least an HOUR real time every day in the prospect list. Hope this helps!! BigBadAss33

I like your approach, but you can find some real gems in those later rounds. I scored a 3 bar Elite med goalie in the bottom half of the 5th. No guarantee, but could be a valuable trade chip, especially for a expansion team.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Operation Sports mobile app

[Instant C1a55ic]

Quote: Originally Posted by BigBadAss33

ummm. Exactly how is it easy to trade on Medium let alone Hard the CPU absolutely RAPES you on every trade on medium.. meaning you have to OVERPAY for ANY player 82 and above. The CPU GMs must be on crack with the offers I have seen. just for giggles I listed Pasternak on the trade block and not one team offered a 1st round pick.. yet NYI wont take 3 1st rounders and an Elite prospect for Barzal.. I have yet to complete a single 1 for 1 trade on HARD.

Trading is ridiculous, just leave it at that.

Wanted to trade away Landeskog. Had 20 offers, and not a single team offered a first. Yet, when I want Eric Staal nearly every offer had to include my 24th overall pick [emoji2357]

Sent from my SM-G975U using Operation Sports mobile app

[jtthegreek94]

Quote: Originally Posted by BigBadAss33

ummm. Exactly how is it easy to trade on Medium let alone Hard the CPU absolutely RAPES you on every trade on medium.. meaning you have to OVERPAY for ANY player 82 and above. The CPU GMs must be on crack with the offers I have seen. just for giggles I listed Pasternak on the trade block and not one team offered a 1st round pick.. yet NYI wont take 3 1st rounders and an Elite prospect for Barzal.. I have yet to complete a single 1 for 1 trade on HARD.

Lol it's so easy go for guys the cpu have in red give up assets you have as green and it's VERY easy to get trades on HARD to go through.