THL (S3) NHL 13 GM Connected Discussion

like I brought up last night too along with what you said. In regards to coaching if one guy is just dodging I think the coaching should be utilized. Getting a 5-0 lead on the cpu and then playing keep away for 3 periods is not fun. I look at it a lot like the MLB schedule too. Yes every game counts but I'm not going to be upset if I am out of town for a week or not available if someone has to play my AI or sim with coaching. I think that games played against owner less teams though should probably be played on pro- (we don't want teams without owners making the playoffs right?) It sucks cause its basically handing out wins but aren't games in the NHL against some teams essentially handing out wins.(I won't pick on your blue jackets Fiddy) Just the luck of the schedule really. The concept of coaching and not playing or simming though I think should be a solid avenue to at least give you some control of the outcome.

I would much rather play on All-Pro and have competitive CPU games, than play on pro knowing everyone's pretty much guaranteed a win. Now I haven't played NHL in years, and then only briefly, so I'm pretty sure I will take up permanent residence in the cellar regardless of my team. Despite that, I still don't want "free" wins against the CPU. While I'm sure we will have instances of guys schedules not matching up, I don't think we should give thought to guys who "duck" other users. These guys will stand out eventually, and when they do give them the boot. There's no place for that at TSO, and especially in a Premier league. I don't see it being a problem though. Fiddy, you've vouched for the guys you're bringing over, and the TSO regulars who've signed up don't get down like that.

Here's my $0.02

If both users attempt to get the game in, but their schedules simply do not mesh: sim it. It's not fair to give one user a game against the CPU while the other sits on the sidelines. Even with the coach mode, that's just not fair.

If only one user tries to schedule, while the other one is nowhere to be seen: Let the user play against the CPU. The person who is active and at least trying to schedule should be allowed the right to at least play the game. Now, in order for the game to be at least remotely fun, we would need to be on All-pro, but I really dont think that should be an issue.

If one user is trying to schedule while the other is known to be out of town / on vacation: Coach mode. In this case, it's not the second guy's fault that he can't make it - but with that said the games have to go on. At least Coach mode gives the second guy some semblance of a chance to win while he is away.

Well, of course. But I can tell you for one that if I'm in that situation the game will be simmed. I won't take advantage of a situation like that, and I would expect others not to as well.

I too like to play my games, but I'm not willing to take advantage of two people being unable to schedule to do so. Just seems more fair to essentially flip a coin and let the CPU decide who wins.

i agree with you that everything will work out though.

I guess we'll have more answer when we'll be able to mess around with coachng mode and how it can affect the outcome of a match. I still don't believe coaching strategies will be that big of a difference in the outcome of simmed game between Columbus and Detroit. If you're a Columbus owner you might want to play vs a CPU at All-star level to give yourself a slight chance to win, but on the other end if you're the Detroit owner you might want the Columbus owner to out-coach you to earn his win, if that is even possible! Two different ways to look at it!

I'd probably rather just sim than coach. But as said before, I'll go with whatever the league decides. I like the idea of being able to play 10 games or so on Pro.

a month seems quite long to wait before starting. It shouldn't take more than a week to figure out how things operate.

I guess it remains to be seen how good coaching is. I shouldn't nay-say it until I've tried it.

I thought the game released closer to the start of the season. My mistake.

I just hope they get the new CBA done so there is a season. Think I read somewhere that if no deal has been reached by 9/15 when the current deal expires, Bettman is planning on locking the players out.

Yea they need to prevent the players from having the option to strike mid season or even worse right before the playoffs. With the sport finally growing a bit in the USA it would be horrible to see a lockout possibly ruin all the progress the league has made since 04-05.

Fiddy, put my name on the list for this mode... i'm pumped for this action!

you probably hear more about this than i do. What are the odds of the NHL actually starting the season without missing any games?

the NHLPA has already come out and said that if Bettman locks out their players, they're going to play some tournament style charity games across Canada (maybe some in the US) and have it be World vs. North America type teams.

with the way the owners are acting, and all their foolishness and stubbornness, i don't see the NHL starting in October... may be more like December, like the NBA last season...

This whole lock-out ordeal with the league's is becoming a huge turn-off. The NBA lost significant amounts of the fan base with what just transpired. Thankfully, they had an amazing post-season that re-energized the base. But for the NHL to travel back down this road again so soon, which all but eliminated the NHL from prominence years ago, it will be truly sad.

Although removing ESPN from broadcasting hockey was a nice change of pace . I wish NBC would pick up more games across their networks. It's tough to catch Wing's games in Houston

What's the plan should the lockout extend into October/November?
Starting the week of Oct 1st regardless? For the most part EA in the past doesn't change much as far as players changing teams after launch anyways.
I recall a few players every year like this.