Post by JetsGM (Jacob) on Aug 13, 2016 0:37:05 GMT -5
Welcome to Frozen H2O Dynasty League!
Official League Rules
Section 1 – League Setup
1.1 League Format
This league is made up of 20 teams with the purpose of simulating the life of an NHL General Manager, with a few tweaks to real NHL rules to account for fantasy hockey with the goal of maximizing enjoyment. The 20 teams will assume control of real-life NHL counterparts, taking on their full NHL roster as well as a prospect pool, which they will then be in charge of managing. The players from the 10 unused teams will be dispersed between the 20 teams through a dispersal draft and free agency.
The league will be made of 4 divisions, however these will only be used to determine the 4 division winners (and teams who get a bye for the first round of the playoffs). The other 8 playoff teams will be determined based on overall standings.
Teams will compete in a H2H (Points based) format on Fantrax. Teams will compete weekly with (2/3)* 1-on-1 matchups resulting in a single win, loss, or tie, depending on who has the most fantasy points at the end of the week.
Standing Tie Breakers for end of Season
1. Most wins during the season
2. H2H record versus teams tied with
3. Most fantasy points scored during the season
4. Best divisional record
1.2 Scoring Format
The following stats will be used to track scoring in Fantrax. (Subject to change based on GM voting in the poll).
Skaters
Goal: 1.5 points
Assist: 1 point
Shot on goal: 0.1 points
Hit: 0.1 points
Block: 0.1 points
Shorthanded Points: 0.25 points
Powerplay Points: 0.25 points
Centers Only
Faceoff Win: 0.1 points
Faceoff Lost: -0.1 points
*Goalies
Wins: 2.5 points
Shutout: 3 points
Saves: 0.1 point
Goal Against: -0.75 point
Shootout loss : 1 point
You can see the top 5 positional scorers at each position, as well as top 10 scorers overall, for the 2015/2016 season at the link below:
1.3 Salary Cap
Starting with the 2016/2017 season, the salary cap maximum will be set at $85,000,000, which no team can exceed at any time. If a team does exceed the maximum, they will be charged a 20% penalty on the transaction that put them over the cap and will lose the player signed/acquired to free agency.
There will also be a salary cap minimum, which will be set at $60,000,000. All teams must be above the salary cap minimum by September 30 of the upcoming season or risk of loss of high draft picks, salary cap penalties, or expulsion from the league.
1.4 Contracts
a. Drafted players’ contracts will slide for 3 years or until they play 10 GP to account for development time. This will also apply to inherited prospects from the start of the league (players drafted from 2018 will have 2 slide years left, 2017, 1 slide year left)
1.5 Roster Size/Starting Lineup
The NHL team roster can be a maximum of 23 players, made up of a minimum of 4C, 8W, 6D, 1G, and 1 flex* position.
To help teams manage Fantrax changing positions, teams will have the opportunity during the month of September to lock their players into a certain position. Each team will be allocated 3 positional changes and must provide proof that the player belongs at that position. Once locked in, this cannot be changed until the following September.
Teams will also have access to a full minors and prospect system, but can never exceed a maximum of 75 players on the team. Players in the minors whose cap hits do not exceed $2,000,000 per season will not count towards the salary cap. Any player in the minors with a cap hit greater than $2,000,000 per season will have their full cap hit count towards the salary cap.
For the inaugural season (2016/2017), each GM will inherit all players with more than 41 NHL GP onto their team (players with less than 82GP may be placed on the roster or into the minors. After that, they will select 15 players with less than 41GP to make up their minors and prospect system. We will be using capfriendly.com for all player cap hits. Players who are not yet signed to a contract will receive a 3 year contract at $750,000 per year.
Note: Players whose annual salaries are under 750,000 will also be adjusted to our league minimum of 750,000
Moving forward, teams will be able to have a maximum of 75 players on their roster, minors or prospect system. If a team is at the max and wishes to add a player, they can either buyout an active contract (incur buyout penalty) or drop a drafted prospect with less than 10 NHL GP (no penalty).
1.6 Team Pages
Every team is required to have at least 3 team page:
- Roster page: This must contain a link to their Google Sheet team page, as well as important information (Salary, cap space remaining, roster spots available (NHL and overall), # of minors, # of prospects in the system). This information must be kept up-to-date. It is each individual’s team’s choice what additional information they wish to keep on this page versus having their roster set up in the Google Sheet
- Transactions page: Will contain all information regarding any type of transaction (trades, re-signings, free agent signing, buyouts)
- Draft: Collection of all picks and players drafted (in both dispersal and amateur drafts)
Teams also have the option to create any additional pages they would like to have. Team pages can be customized as much as a team wishes, as long as it contains the required information.
Section 2 – Frozen H2O Dynasty League Drafts
2.1 Dispersal Draft (2016 1 time only)
The first league activity will be a 3-round snake draft. The order will be done on a weighted lottery with the team whose players upon inception of the league has the least amount of fantasy points on its 23-man roster.
Once the order is determined, teams will have the ability to trade their picks up to the draft (or during depending on the approach decided by the league).
All players and prospects belonging to the 10 teams not selected, as well as any players remaining who were left off the original 20 teams rosters, will be available to be selected. By selecting a player, you will also inherit his contract, any prospect with 0 NHL GP who has not yet been signed to his ELC will follow the regular prospect call-up rules once they reach the NHL.
2.2 Amateur Drafts
2.2.1 Basics
The draft will consist of 5 rounds (100 picks) with the same order for each round. The draft will be a slow-draft with teams having 12 hours between each of their picks. Any team that misses their pick will be assigned the best remaining player (based on real-life draft order) at the end of the round, with the exception of the 1st round where the team will be assigned the best remaining player 3 picks after their pick.
2.2.2 Draft Date
The draft will be held each year sometime in early-to-mid July (likely starting mid-week post July 1 and July 4)
2.2.3 Draft Order Determination
League draft order will be determined based on a weighted-draft lottery (done online) where the 8 non-playoff teams will determine the 1-8 draft order. Once the top 8 picks are decided, the remaining draft order will be determined based on reverse league standings (with the final 4 teams receiving the bottom 4 picks of the round).
Standings Tiebreakers
1. Least wins the entire season
2. Head-to-head record vs. team(s) tied with (Loser)
3. Least fantasy points the entire season
4. Least fantasy points against for entire season
2.2.4 Draft Eligible Players
Only players eligible for the NHL amateur draft are eligible in the Frozen H2O amateur draft for a given year.
2.2.5 Undrafted Players
Any players drafted in the NHL draft that are not drafted in this league will be released to free agency. Once free agency opens, teams will have the ability to sign these prospects, and unless their cap exceeds $2,000,000 per season, will incur no cap penalty until they are called up. Any player that is still draft eligible and not signed by an NHL club during the post-draft window cannot be signed in free agency.
Section 3 – Transactions
3.1 Trading
Any player, prospect or pick can be traded. Draft picks can be traded 3 years in advance (for example: 2017, 2018 and 2019 draft picks will be available for trade during inaugural season).
Salary retention is allowed, up to a maximum of 50% of a player’s yearly salary. Salary retained must be equal throughout the life of the contract. If a player with salary retained is bought out, the buyout will be applied to both parties (ex: player with 1,000,000 salary retained would then only be on the hook for 500,000 of retention). Teams are allowed to have a maximum of 3 retentions at one time. A player's salary can be retained up to a maximum of 2 times.
Draft pick conditions will be allowed as long as they are held within reason. The Commissioner and Moderator team will do our best to record all conditions in a trade, however it is the duty of each team setting the conditions to hold true to them. If a team breaks the condition of the trade (ex: trades a draft pick that later becomes a part of a condition) – the two teams will need to come to an agreement on an alternate decision – or can apply for arbitration ruling to decide on finalizing the deal.
All trades must be FIRST posted in the trade board with all proper details (player contracts, draft pick ownership, clear retention/condition guidelines) so that Moderators can ensure all pieces are legally available and both teams will fit within the salary cap.
Once the trade is posted and validated, it will be subject to a 24-hour period where ALL league members will have the opportunity to allow (say nothing) or decline the proposed trade in Fantrax. If a deal receives 5 objections (25% of the league), then the deal will be made open for discussion, where all teams who vetoed the deal should give their reasoning. Unless all have poor reasoning, the deal will be vetoed and the 2 GMs will be encouraged to re-work the deal.
Only deals that HEAVILY favour one team should be vetoed, otherwise with the player movement this league will have, 1 or 2 bad deals will not leave a team in a heap of trouble for a long period of time.
3.2 Re-Signs
Re-signs will be held after the conclusion of each year’s amateur draft and will extend until mid-August before free agency begins.
Each team will have the ability to re-sign a pre-determined # of players*1 every year. They can either re-sign RFAs or UFAs. Teams will have a maximum of 2 attempts to re-sign a player. Teams will post their offers based on the rubric stickied in the re-sign thread, and any team can vote on if they believe the contract is within the rules. Max term for re-signs in 4 years, 1 year more than what a player can be bid on in free agency.
Before a contract is finalized, one of the Moderators (or Commissioner) must approve the contract as well.
After 2 attempts, if declined, the player will be released to unrestricted free agency, where all teams will be available to bid on the player once free agency opens. The team that failed to re-sign the player will also be able to bid during free agency.
Follow the step-by-step guide to come to the appropriate contract offer for your player
Section A - Players with 41+ NHL GP in most recent season
Step 1
Using the following template and fill relevant information for last 4 years.
NOTE: You only need to find the fpts/game and number of games played in that relevant season
<Insert Player Name>
2015/2016: # fpts/game (# games)
2014/2015: # fpts/game (# games)
2013/2014: # fpts/game (# games)
2012/2013: # fpts/game (# games)
Step 2
Identify if player falls under Bridge Contract Rule or Falloff Contract Rule:
Step 2a
Bridge Contract Rule: 2 year max contract term
Players who fall into one or more of the following criteria are subject to the Bridge Contract Rule:
a) 2 or less full NHL seasons (41+ games) played in last 4 NHL seasons
b) Production in most recent season has not been replicated in players recent seasons (move to step 3)
c) Production in 2 or more previous full seasons (41GP+) are higher than production in most recent season (move to step 2b to see if it applies)
Step 2b
Falloff Contract Rule: 1 year max contract term
a) Look at the salary guidelines for skaters. If the player's most recent season dropped by 3 or more salary ranges from the previous season, the player is only eligible for a 1 year contract. Once evaluated to see if it applies or not, proceed to Step 3.
Step 3
Take the player’s production from the most recent season to determine his salary range. Before finalizing your offer based on the salary range, check for these conditions:
Does the player have less than 300GP? Yes or No
Does the player have 2+ higher range seasons in the past? Yes or No
Does the player show an upward trajectory? Yes or No
Do you wish to sign your player for 1-2 years (Short Term) or 3-4 years (Long Term)
If a player is coming off a sudden jump of 2+ salary ranges, with over 300 gp and no past production at this level. Present your argument and offer a 1 year deal and you may be able to offer in a lower salary range otherwise continue on to the next step
Short Term Contract (1-2 Years)
Section A (Yes or No to any of 1-3)
Offer a salary within his most recent season's salary range (ex. Player A had a 1.65 FP/G in 2021/22, salary range is 6.5- 7.25, Offer approx. 6.9 per year)
Long-Term Contract (3-4 Years)
Section A (Yes to any of 1-3)
If yes to any of questions, offer 1 salary range higher for 3 years and 2 ranges for 4 years
If 300GP+ and 2 seasons removed from a higher salary range? Offer 3 or 4 year contract at high end of the current salary range
Section B (No to all of 1-3)
If player has shown relatively consistent production, offer 3/4 years of the current salary range based on the weighted average FPPG of the last 2 seasons
Section B
Section B - Players with less than 41 NHL GP in most recent season
1. Using the following template and fill relevant information for last 2 years.
NOTE: for Weighted Average add the 2 seasons' total fpts together and divide by the combined total games
<Insert Player Name>
2015/2016: total fpts/ total # games
2014/2015: total fpts/ total # games
Weighted Average fpts/game: combined total fpts / combined total games
2. Depending on your players total number of games in last 2 seasons, offer a bridge contract (max 1-2 year term)
a) If your player has less than 80 total games in last 2 seasons, offer a bridge contract with a contract valuation that you feel best represents the player
b) If your player has 80 or more total games in last 2 seasons, offer a bridge contract within the range based on weighted average fpts/game from most recent 2 seasons
Salary guidelines for skaters (C,W,D) and goalies
Skaters
*Amendment since scoring is now higher:
2-2.09 - 9.5 - 10.25M
2.1-2.19 - 10.25 - 11M
2.2-2.29 - 11 - 11.75M
2.3 - 2.39 - 11.75 - 12.5M
2.4 - 2.49 - 12.5 - 13.25M
2.5 - 2.59 - 13.25 - 14M
2.6-2.69 - 14 - 14.75M
2.7-2.79 - 14.75 - 15.5M
2.8-2.89 - 15.5 - 16.25M
Goalies
3.3 Free Agency
Free agency will open in mid-August and have 2 periods, restricted free agency and unrestricted free agency. All players whose contracts have expired and are 25 and under on July 31 are considered restricted free agents. All other players are considered unrestricted free agents.
Individual threads will be created for each player, and any team will be able to bid on the player, including the current owner.
League minimum is $750,000
Bids cannot exceed 3 years, and each successive bid must be at least 0.25 points higher than the previous highest bid.
Bid scoring is based on the per year annual contract value, but the annual contract is multiplied by the 2nd and 3rd year factor.
2nd year factor multiply annual contract by 0.75
3rd year factor multiply annual contract by 0.5
Example:
Player A
Team A bids 1 year @ 8 million (8 million total) = 8 points
Team B bids 2 years @ 5.5 million (11 million total) = 5.5 + 5.5(0.75) = 9.625 points
Team C bids 3 years @ 4.5 million (13.5 million total) = 4.5 + 4.5 (0.75) + 4.5 (0.5) = 10.125 points
A bid is considered closed once no further bids have been placed after 24 hours.
Bid posting format
Example:
Thread name: Erik Karlsson
In thread
3 years @ 8,500,000
8.5 + 8.5(0.75) + 8.5(0.5) = 19.125 points
Cap remaining: $18,500,000
AMENDMENT 01/19/2017:
Teams will now be required to have the available cap space to account for all active bids, you will no longer be able to account for waiving/demoting/buying out a player to open cap space for a bid. If you do not have the available cap space, it must be made available BEFORE the bid is placed. It does not matter if the player can be sent down immediately, a team must wait until that player is signed and the thread is created demoting the player before the cap space is available again.
Example: Toronto has $10 million in available cap space and $8 million in active bids. The maximum bid he can place is $2 million. If he wishes to place a bid of more than $2 million, then he must FIRST make a move to open up the roster space (demote, waive, buyout a player), THEN the bid can be placed
NOTE: To easily enforce this, teams will be required to maintain an active bids/cap remaining table on their XLS as can be seen here (Toronto’s tab in the Google XLS). If you need help setting this up, please let me know and I can set it up for you.
3.3.1 Restricted Free Agency
Restricted free agency will be the first free agency event of any summer, starting right after re-signs. All restricted free agents will be available to be bid on and teams can place unlimited bids as long as they have the proper compensation and roster/salary cap space. Once a bid is completed, the owner of the restricted free agent will have 72 hours to choose to keep or let his player go and receive compensation
If the case arises where a team who wins the bid does not have the proper compensation, then the owner will have the choice to match the 2nd highest winning bid.
*RFA compensation
750K - 2.09M 3rd round pick (in one of next 2 drafts)
2.1M+ - 3.19M 2nd, 5th (2nd in next draft)
3.2M+ - 4.29M 2nd, 3rd (2nd in next draft)
4.3M+ - 5.39M 2 x 2nds, 3rd (1 2nd and 3rd in next draft)
5.4M+ - 6.49M 1st, 2nd (1st in next draft)
6.5M+ - 7.59M 1st, 2 x 2nds (1st and 1 2nd in next draft)
7.6M+ - 8.69M 2 x 1st (1 1st in next draft)
8.7M+ - 9.79M 2 x 1sts, 2 x 2nds (1 first and 1 2nd in next draft)
9.8M - 10.99M 3 x 1sts, 2 x 2nds (1 1st and 1 2nd in next draft)
11M+ 4 x 1sts (1 1st in next draft, must have extra 1st, not beyond 3 drafts)
When placing a bid on a restricted free agency that will require compensation, the bidding team must state the picks they are giving up:
3 years @ 6,700,000 = 6.7 + 6.7(0.75) + 6.7(0.5) = 15.075 points
As compensation, the Flames offer 1st 2020 (CGY), 2nd 2021 (OTT), 2nd 2020 (CGY) "
If a bid is given and won without compensation specified, then if the RFA owner decides not to match the offer, it is at their discretion which picks they receive. If it is found out that the bid was invalid due to improper picks owned, the 2nd best bid will be won and the false winning bid team will receive a 10% penalty on the annual value of the winning bid.
3.3.2 Unrestricted Free Agency
unrestricted free agency will follow the same format as restricted free agency, however there will be no compensation for lost players and GMs can bid on their unrestricted free agents at any time (don’t have to wait for the 1-week window). The UFA period will open up right after one-week re-sign period for RFAs ends.
AMENDMENT 01/19/2017:
Free Agency Priority List
The second free agency rule to be implemented this offseason (2017) is the free agency priority list. This list will only come into effect for any bids that are at the max of not counting towards the cap (i.e., bids of $1.9 million) and if the player has less than 41GP. Once a bid of this amount is posted, other teams will be allowed to match the bid (as long as they have the cap space available). If no team raises the bid and the 24-hour window passes, the winning team will be the highest team on the free agency priority list. The winning team will then be moved to the bottom of the free agency priority list.
The list will be based on the reverse standings of this season (excluding playoff results), and will be reset each year at the completion of the regular season.
3.4 Call-Ups
3.5 Demotions/Waivers
Any player with less than 41GP can be sent to the minors without requiring waivers. Simply post in the Demotions thread with the thread title as the players’ name and contract in the pot.
Any player who does not fit this requirement must be sent through waivers where teams will have a 24 hour window to claim the player. For the first year of the league, waiver priority will be determined based on random order.
If a team successfully claims a player, they will be moved to the bottom of the order.
Any claimed player must be placed on the NHL roster. If the player is waived to the minors again without being on a team’s roster for less than 30 days, and no other team places a claim, the original owner may choose to re-claim the player (without affecting his/her waiver priority) and declare that the player be placed in the minors or on their NHL roster.
AMENDMENT 01/31/2017:
Special Exemption Demotions
Any player who is subject to one of the following situations:
a) Is demoted by his real life team to the minors
b) Is in a contract holdout with his team so is inactive
Can be sent to the minors without requiring waivers. The post shall be made in the Demotions thread and the reason will be given (Ex: Jake Virtanen sent to the AHL by Vancouver Canucks, special exemption demotion).
However, once the player is recalled by his NHL club or the contract holdout is ended, the player must be called back up and be placed on the team's 23-man roster.
AMENDMENT 01/04/2021
"Trade Request Waivers"
To deter teams hoarding depth, twice a year (2 weeks prior to start of season & 1 month prior to TDL), players with 120GP+ & 0.75 fantasy points-per-game average or higher will be subjected to waivers.
3.6 Buyouts
There will be 2 buyout periods during the year, one during the months of June/August (during re-signs and free agency), and the other in January/February (before trade deadline).
For the inaugural season, buyout period will run through August/September to allow teams full competitiveness in drafting dispersal players and signing free agents.
A player being bought out must be first placed on waivers. Owners must declare that they are waiving a player with the intention of buying them out.
Example:
Marian Hossa 6,000,000 (2019) is bought out
$6,000,000 * 3 = 18,000,000
$18,000,000 * 0.5 = 9,000,000
Option A) 1-year penalty of $9,000,000
B) 3-year penalty of $3,000,000
Good example to keep in mind when re-signing risky players to huge contracts.
As previously mentioned, if a player is traded with retention and then bought out, the team with retention will get a cap relief equal to 50% of the buyout. They will not have the option of having the whole contract be applied in a lump sum 1-year penalty.
AMENDMENT 01/19/2017: Any team buying out a player is ineligible to sign that player in free agency for the life of the buyout penalty.
3.7 Amnesty Cuts
When the league begins, teams will be allowed 3 amnesty cuts as a one-time offer to clear salary. There will also be a list of exceptional players who do not need to be amnestied, such as players on LTIR who are effectively retired (ex: Chris Pronger, Pavel Datsyuk).
3.7.1 Special Amnesty Clause
There will also be a special out clause for any INHERITED contracts where a player defects to the KHL or leaves the NHL due to various circumstances. Any player that is signed as a free agent or re-signed will not be eligible under this clause and will be subject to regular buyout penalties.
3.8 Re-Structures (2016 1 time only)
Once the league is established, teams have made their amnesty cuts and the dispersal draft has been held. Teams will be able to declare 2 players whose contracts they wish to re-structure. This will nullify the contract and allow the GM the opportunity to sign the player at a better price. Re-structuring players will be operated in the same format as re-signs and will be a one-time only event in the league.
3.9 Injured Reserve
**Amended 01/04/2021**
Any player who is injured may be placed on injured reserve. Being placed on injured reserve will open up a roster spot plus free up cap space. Once a player returns to health, the team will have the 48-hour injured reserve time allocation to activate the player and become roster compliant.
**Previous Rule**
This league will have 2 forms of injured reserve, short-term and long-term injury reserve
3.9.1 Short-Term Injured Reserve
This will be available to any player that is injured during the season. A GM may opt to move their player onto fantrax' injured reserve for the duration of the injury (until the player returns from injury). This move will open up a roster spot on the NHL roster, but does not free up any cap space.
3.9.1 Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR)*
Section 4 – Tanking/Unethical Conduct
While the goal of this league is to ultimately have fun and entertaining environment where we can all show our passion for hockey, each team does have a few responsibilities
4.1 Anti-Tanking
If a team is not fielding full/best lineup at all times on purpose to obtain a higher pick (ie. leaving injured players in over healthy players, benching star players for plugs, purposely having invalid roster, benching to avoid games so that no one collects points, having less than the minimum required number of players, etc) they are subject to penalties including cap hits and/or loss of draft picks.
4.2 Miscellaneous
Abusing the system through loopholes/cheating on the forum or on fantrax to get an advantage is subject to disciplinary action up to and including cap hit, loss of draft pick(s) OR removal from league.
4.3 Respect Among Peers
This is meant to be a fun environment where everyone feels welcome. As such, everyone is expected to be respectful to your fellow GM. Disagreements should not be dealt with with insults and other petty means publicly or via PMs. Zero tolerance will be given for those continuously disturbing the peace. If there is such a situation, PM the TAB and it will be dealt with.
Official League Rules
Section 1 – League Setup
1.1 League Format
This league is made up of 20 teams with the purpose of simulating the life of an NHL General Manager, with a few tweaks to real NHL rules to account for fantasy hockey with the goal of maximizing enjoyment. The 20 teams will assume control of real-life NHL counterparts, taking on their full NHL roster as well as a prospect pool, which they will then be in charge of managing. The players from the 10 unused teams will be dispersed between the 20 teams through a dispersal draft and free agency.
The league will be made of 4 divisions, however these will only be used to determine the 4 division winners (and teams who get a bye for the first round of the playoffs). The other 8 playoff teams will be determined based on overall standings.
Teams will compete in a H2H (Points based) format on Fantrax. Teams will compete weekly with (2/3)* 1-on-1 matchups resulting in a single win, loss, or tie, depending on who has the most fantasy points at the end of the week.
Standing Tie Breakers for end of Season
1. Most wins during the season
2. H2H record versus teams tied with
3. Most fantasy points scored during the season
4. Best divisional record
5. 50/50 lottery held online
*Added Summer 2018
1.2 Scoring Format
The following stats will be used to track scoring in Fantrax. (Subject to change based on GM voting in the poll).
Skaters
Goal: 1.5 points
Assist: 1 point
Shot on goal: 0.1 points
Hit: 0.1 points
Block: 0.1 points
Shorthanded Points: 0.25 points
Powerplay Points: 0.25 points
Centers Only
Faceoff Win: 0.1 points
Faceoff Lost: -0.1 points
*Goalies
Wins: 2.5 points
Shutout: 3 points
Saves: 0.1 point
Goal Against: -0.75 point
Shootout loss : 1 point
You can see the top 5 positional scorers at each position, as well as top 10 scorers overall, for the 2015/2016 season at the link below:
Amendment 07/07/19:
New goalie scoring
1.3 Salary Cap
Starting with the 2016/2017 season, the salary cap maximum will be set at $85,000,000, which no team can exceed at any time. If a team does exceed the maximum, they will be charged a 20% penalty on the transaction that put them over the cap and will lose the player signed/acquired to free agency.
There will also be a salary cap minimum, which will be set at $60,000,000. All teams must be above the salary cap minimum by September 30 of the upcoming season or risk of loss of high draft picks, salary cap penalties, or expulsion from the league.
1.4 Contracts
All contracts extending beyond 4 years when the league starts will be shortened to expire in 2020.
Going forward, Re-signs can be up to 4 years long, UFA signings can be up to 3 years long. Drafted players will inherit a cap hit based on their draft position and their contract length will be
determined based on the sliding rules.
Drafted players will get a cap hit ranging from 2,000,000 to 750,000. 1st overall in an amateur draft gets 2,000,000, 2nd overall gets 1,9750,000... and down 250k intervals until 50th overall gets 775,000 and from 51-100+ get 750,000.
As of the 2017 offseason, only drafted prospects contracts will slide based on the following:
a. Drafted players’ contracts will slide for 3 years or until they play 10 GP to account for development time. This will also apply to inherited prospects from the start of the league (players drafted from 2018 will have 2 slide years left, 2017, 1 slide year left)
b. Within the 3 years, if a team wishes to drop a drafted prospect, they may during one of the buyout periods by posting in the waivers thread and stating that the move is an unconditional buyout. Once confirmed, regular waiver procedure will proceed and if no one claims the prospect, then they will become a UFA.
c. After 3 years have passed, the player is moved into the minors and the regular buyout procedure applies
1.5 Roster Size/Starting Lineup
The NHL team roster can be a maximum of 23 players, made up of a minimum of 4C, 8W, 6D, 1G, and 1 flex* position.
To help teams manage Fantrax changing positions, teams will have the opportunity during the month of September to lock their players into a certain position. Each team will be allocated 3 positional changes and must provide proof that the player belongs at that position. Once locked in, this cannot be changed until the following September.
Teams will also have access to a full minors and prospect system, but can never exceed a maximum of 75 players on the team. Players in the minors whose cap hits do not exceed $2,000,000 per season will not count towards the salary cap. Any player in the minors with a cap hit greater than $2,000,000 per season will have their full cap hit count towards the salary cap.
For the inaugural season (2016/2017), each GM will inherit all players with more than 41 NHL GP onto their team (players with less than 82GP may be placed on the roster or into the minors. After that, they will select 15 players with less than 41GP to make up their minors and prospect system. We will be using capfriendly.com for all player cap hits. Players who are not yet signed to a contract will receive a 3 year contract at $750,000 per year.
Note: Players whose annual salaries are under 750,000 will also be adjusted to our league minimum of 750,000
Moving forward, teams will be able to have a maximum of 75 players on their roster, minors or prospect system. If a team is at the max and wishes to add a player, they can either buyout an active contract (incur buyout penalty) or drop a drafted prospect with less than 10 NHL GP (no penalty).
AMENDMENT 01/19/2017: Effective as of the start of our 2019-20 season, which will then carry forward into next year’s regular season, teams will be limited to 4 call ups a week. There is no daily limit, teams can use as many as they wish, however once 4 call ups are used, all further attempts will be denied.
* Added summer 2018
1.6 Team Pages
Every team is required to have at least 3 team page:
- Roster page: This must contain a link to their Google Sheet team page, as well as important information (Salary, cap space remaining, roster spots available (NHL and overall), # of minors, # of prospects in the system). This information must be kept up-to-date. It is each individual’s team’s choice what additional information they wish to keep on this page versus having their roster set up in the Google Sheet
- Transactions page: Will contain all information regarding any type of transaction (trades, re-signings, free agent signing, buyouts)
- Draft: Collection of all picks and players drafted (in both dispersal and amateur drafts)
Teams also have the option to create any additional pages they would like to have. Team pages can be customized as much as a team wishes, as long as it contains the required information.
Section 2 – Frozen H2O Dynasty League Drafts
2.1 Dispersal Draft (2016 1 time only)
The first league activity will be a 3-round snake draft. The order will be done on a weighted lottery with the team whose players upon inception of the league has the least amount of fantasy points on its 23-man roster.
Once the order is determined, teams will have the ability to trade their picks up to the draft (or during depending on the approach decided by the league).
All players and prospects belonging to the 10 teams not selected, as well as any players remaining who were left off the original 20 teams rosters, will be available to be selected. By selecting a player, you will also inherit his contract, any prospect with 0 NHL GP who has not yet been signed to his ELC will follow the regular prospect call-up rules once they reach the NHL.
2.2 Amateur Drafts
2.2.1 Basics
The draft will consist of 5 rounds (100 picks) with the same order for each round. The draft will be a slow-draft with teams having 12 hours between each of their picks. Any team that misses their pick will be assigned the best remaining player (based on real-life draft order) at the end of the round, with the exception of the 1st round where the team will be assigned the best remaining player 3 picks after their pick.
2.2.2 Draft Date
The draft will be held each year sometime in early-to-mid July (likely starting mid-week post July 1 and July 4)
2.2.3 Draft Order Determination
League draft order will be determined based on a weighted-draft lottery (done online) where the 8 non-playoff teams will determine the 1-8 draft order. Once the top 8 picks are decided, the remaining draft order will be determined based on reverse league standings (with the final 4 teams receiving the bottom 4 picks of the round).
Standings Tiebreakers
1. Least wins the entire season
2. Head-to-head record vs. team(s) tied with (Loser)
3. Least fantasy points the entire season
4. Least fantasy points against for entire season
2.2.4 Draft Eligible Players
Only players eligible for the NHL amateur draft are eligible in the Frozen H2O amateur draft for a given year.
2.2.5 Undrafted Players
Any players drafted in the NHL draft that are not drafted in this league will be released to free agency. Once free agency opens, teams will have the ability to sign these prospects, and unless their cap exceeds $2,000,000 per season, will incur no cap penalty until they are called up. Any player that is still draft eligible and not signed by an NHL club during the post-draft window cannot be signed in free agency.
Section 3 – Transactions
3.1 Trading
Any player, prospect or pick can be traded. Draft picks can be traded 3 years in advance (for example: 2017, 2018 and 2019 draft picks will be available for trade during inaugural season).
Salary retention is allowed, up to a maximum of 50% of a player’s yearly salary. Salary retained must be equal throughout the life of the contract. If a player with salary retained is bought out, the buyout will be applied to both parties (ex: player with 1,000,000 salary retained would then only be on the hook for 500,000 of retention). Teams are allowed to have a maximum of 3 retentions at one time. A player's salary can be retained up to a maximum of 2 times.
Draft pick conditions will be allowed as long as they are held within reason. The Commissioner and Moderator team will do our best to record all conditions in a trade, however it is the duty of each team setting the conditions to hold true to them. If a team breaks the condition of the trade (ex: trades a draft pick that later becomes a part of a condition) – the two teams will need to come to an agreement on an alternate decision – or can apply for arbitration ruling to decide on finalizing the deal.
All trades must be FIRST posted in the trade board with all proper details (player contracts, draft pick ownership, clear retention/condition guidelines) so that Moderators can ensure all pieces are legally available and both teams will fit within the salary cap.
Once the trade is posted and validated, it will be subject to a 24-hour period where ALL league members will have the opportunity to allow (say nothing) or decline the proposed trade in Fantrax. If a deal receives 5 objections (25% of the league), then the deal will be made open for discussion, where all teams who vetoed the deal should give their reasoning. Unless all have poor reasoning, the deal will be vetoed and the 2 GMs will be encouraged to re-work the deal.
Only deals that HEAVILY favour one team should be vetoed, otherwise with the player movement this league will have, 1 or 2 bad deals will not leave a team in a heap of trouble for a long period of time.
AMENDMENT 06/22/2018 :
New Salary Retention Rule
On top of a team only being allowed a maximum of 3 retentions at one time, teams acquiring a player with retained salary may have a maximum of $10 million on their roster. Any team currently beyond that limit will not have to trade a player, but is unable to make any retention deals until they fall below the limit.
On top of a team only being allowed a maximum of 3 retentions at one time, teams acquiring a player with retained salary may have a maximum of $10 million on their roster. Any team currently beyond that limit will not have to trade a player, but is unable to make any retention deals until they fall below the limit.
3.2 Re-Signs
Re-signs will be held after the conclusion of each year’s amateur draft and will extend until mid-August before free agency begins.
Each team will have the ability to re-sign a pre-determined # of players*1 every year. They can either re-sign RFAs or UFAs. Teams will have a maximum of 2 attempts to re-sign a player. Teams will post their offers based on the rubric stickied in the re-sign thread, and any team can vote on if they believe the contract is within the rules. Max term for re-signs in 4 years, 1 year more than what a player can be bid on in free agency.
Before a contract is finalized, one of the Moderators (or Commissioner) must approve the contract as well.
After 2 attempts, if declined, the player will be released to unrestricted free agency, where all teams will be available to bid on the player once free agency opens. The team that failed to re-sign the player will also be able to bid during free agency.
RFA and UFA rights can be traded as a team wishes, as long as it is before the deadline to re-sign players.
*Changed from 3 to 4 starting 2019 offseason
1Number will be determined by the Comissioner group every year depending on the average number of quality UFA/RFA contracts expiring
1Number will be determined by the Comissioner group every year depending on the average number of quality UFA/RFA contracts expiring
Follow the step-by-step guide to come to the appropriate contract offer for your player
Section A - Players with 41+ NHL GP in most recent season
Step 1
Using the following template and fill relevant information for last 4 years.
NOTE: You only need to find the fpts/game and number of games played in that relevant season
<Insert Player Name>
2015/2016: # fpts/game (# games)
2014/2015: # fpts/game (# games)
2013/2014: # fpts/game (# games)
2012/2013: # fpts/game (# games)
Step 2
Identify if player falls under Bridge Contract Rule or Falloff Contract Rule:
Step 2a
Bridge Contract Rule: 2 year max contract term
Players who fall into one or more of the following criteria are subject to the Bridge Contract Rule:
a) 2 or less full NHL seasons (41+ games) played in last 4 NHL seasons
b) Production in most recent season has not been replicated in players recent seasons (move to step 3)
c) Production in 2 or more previous full seasons (41GP+) are higher than production in most recent season (move to step 2b to see if it applies)
Step 2b
Falloff Contract Rule: 1 year max contract term
a) Look at the salary guidelines for skaters. If the player's most recent season dropped by 3 or more salary ranges from the previous season, the player is only eligible for a 1 year contract. Once evaluated to see if it applies or not, proceed to Step 3.
Step 3
Take the player’s production from the most recent season to determine his salary range. Before finalizing your offer based on the salary range, check for these conditions:
Does the player have less than 300GP? Yes or No
Does the player have 2+ higher range seasons in the past? Yes or No
Does the player show an upward trajectory? Yes or No
Do you wish to sign your player for 1-2 years (Short Term) or 3-4 years (Long Term)
If a player is coming off a sudden jump of 2+ salary ranges, with over 300 gp and no past production at this level. Present your argument and offer a 1 year deal and you may be able to offer in a lower salary range otherwise continue on to the next step
Short Term Contract (1-2 Years)
Section A (Yes or No to any of 1-3)
Offer a salary within his most recent season's salary range (ex. Player A had a 1.65 FP/G in 2021/22, salary range is 6.5- 7.25, Offer approx. 6.9 per year)
Long-Term Contract (3-4 Years)
Section A (Yes to any of 1-3)
If yes to any of questions, offer 1 salary range higher for 3 years and 2 ranges for 4 years
If 300GP+ and 2 seasons removed from a higher salary range? Offer 3 or 4 year contract at high end of the current salary range
Section B (No to all of 1-3)
If player has shown relatively consistent production, offer 3/4 years of the current salary range based on the weighted average FPPG of the last 2 seasons
Section B
Section B - Players with less than 41 NHL GP in most recent season
1. Using the following template and fill relevant information for last 2 years.
NOTE: for Weighted Average add the 2 seasons' total fpts together and divide by the combined total games
<Insert Player Name>
2015/2016: total fpts/ total # games
2014/2015: total fpts/ total # games
Weighted Average fpts/game: combined total fpts / combined total games
2. Depending on your players total number of games in last 2 seasons, offer a bridge contract (max 1-2 year term)
a) If your player has less than 80 total games in last 2 seasons, offer a bridge contract with a contract valuation that you feel best represents the player
b) If your player has 80 or more total games in last 2 seasons, offer a bridge contract within the range based on weighted average fpts/game from most recent 2 seasons
Salary guidelines for skaters (C,W,D) and goalies
Skaters
*Amendment since scoring is now higher:
2-2.09 - 9.5 - 10.25M
2.1-2.19 - 10.25 - 11M
2.2-2.29 - 11 - 11.75M
2.3 - 2.39 - 11.75 - 12.5M
2.4 - 2.49 - 12.5 - 13.25M
2.5 - 2.59 - 13.25 - 14M
2.6-2.69 - 14 - 14.75M
2.7-2.79 - 14.75 - 15.5M
2.8-2.89 - 15.5 - 16.25M
2.9+ - 16.25 - 17M (Max)
Section C - Goalies
Step 1
Using the following template and fill relevant information for last 4 years.
NOTE: You only need to find the fpts and number of games played in that relevant season
<Insert Player Name>
2015/2016: # fpts (# games)
2014/2015: # fpts (# games)
2013/2014: # fpts (# games)
2012/2013: # fpts (# games)
Step 2
Identify if player falls under Bridge Contract Rule or Falloff Contract Rule:
Step 2a
Bridge Contract Rule: 2 year max contract term
Players who fall into one or more of the following criteria are subject to the Bridge Contract Rule:
a) 2 or less full NHL seasons (30+ games) played in last 4 NHL seasons
b) Production in most recent season has not been replicated in players recent seasons (move to step 4)
c) Production in 2 or more previous full seasons (30GP+) are higher than production in most recent season (move to step 3b to see if it applies)
e) Player is either traded/drafted to a new team to jump from backup (+30 GP) to become the #1 goalie(ex. Scott Darling gets traded to Carolina to be their new #1 goalie) or player's team #1 goalie leaves team, giving player new role on team. (ex. M.A. Fleury drafted by Vegas, Matt Murray now becomes #1 in Pittsburgh)
Step 2b
Falloff Contract Rule: 1 year max contract term
a) Look at the salary guidelines for goalies. If the player's most recent season dropped by 3 or more salary ranges from the previous season, the player is only eligible for a 1 year contract. Once evaluated to see if it applies or not, proceed to Step 4.
b) If a goalie has had 2+ previous years of being in a production range and the most recent year is due to an injury/personal reason and still maintains a similar FP/G avg, then the most recent year shall not be considered and the previous season will then be the deciding factor. Proceed to Step 4 and do not count the most recent year.
Step 3
Take the goalies production from the most recent season to determine his salary range. Before finalizing your offer based on the salary range, check for these conditions:
Does the goalie have less than 100GP? Yes or No
Does the goalie have 2+ higher range seasons in the past? Yes or No
Does the goalie show an upward trajectory? Yes or No
Do you wish to sign your goalie for 1-2 years (Short Term) or 3-4 years (Long Term)?
Short Term Contract (1-2 Years)
Section A (Yes to any of 1-3)
Offer a salary at the high end of his most recent season's salary range
Section B (No to all of 1-3)
Offer a salary within the most recent season range
Long-Term Contract (3-4 Years)
Section A (Yes to any of 1-3)
If yes to any of questions, offer 1 salary range higher for 3 years and 2 ranges for 4 years
If 100GP+ and 2 seasons removed from a higher salary range? Offer 3 or 4 year contract at high end of the current salary range
Section B (No to all of 1-3)
If player has shown relatively consistent production, offer 3/4 years of the current salary range based on the weighted average fantasy points of the last 2 seasons
Section C-1 - Goalies with less than 30 NHL GP in most recent season
1. Using the following template and fill relevant information for last 2 years.
NOTE: for Weighted Average add the 2 seasons' total fpts together and divide by the combined total games
<Insert Player Name>
2015/2016: total fpts/ total # games
2014/2015: total fpts/ total # games
Weighted Average fpts/game: combined total fpts / combined total games
2. Depending on your players total number of games in last 2 seasons, offer a bridge contract (max 1-2 year term)
a) If your player has less than 60 total games in last 2 seasons, offer a bridge contract with a contract valuation that you feel best represents the player
b) If your player has 60 or more total games in last 2 seasons, offer a bridge contract within the range based on weighted average fpts from most recent 2 seasons:
Step 1
Using the following template and fill relevant information for last 4 years.
NOTE: You only need to find the fpts and number of games played in that relevant season
<Insert Player Name>
2015/2016: # fpts (# games)
2014/2015: # fpts (# games)
2013/2014: # fpts (# games)
2012/2013: # fpts (# games)
Step 2
Identify if player falls under Bridge Contract Rule or Falloff Contract Rule:
Step 2a
Bridge Contract Rule: 2 year max contract term
Players who fall into one or more of the following criteria are subject to the Bridge Contract Rule:
a) 2 or less full NHL seasons (30+ games) played in last 4 NHL seasons
b) Production in most recent season has not been replicated in players recent seasons (move to step 4)
c) Production in 2 or more previous full seasons (30GP+) are higher than production in most recent season (move to step 3b to see if it applies)
e) Player is either traded/drafted to a new team to jump from backup (+30 GP) to become the #1 goalie(ex. Scott Darling gets traded to Carolina to be their new #1 goalie) or player's team #1 goalie leaves team, giving player new role on team. (ex. M.A. Fleury drafted by Vegas, Matt Murray now becomes #1 in Pittsburgh)
Step 2b
Falloff Contract Rule: 1 year max contract term
a) Look at the salary guidelines for goalies. If the player's most recent season dropped by 3 or more salary ranges from the previous season, the player is only eligible for a 1 year contract. Once evaluated to see if it applies or not, proceed to Step 4.
b) If a goalie has had 2+ previous years of being in a production range and the most recent year is due to an injury/personal reason and still maintains a similar FP/G avg, then the most recent year shall not be considered and the previous season will then be the deciding factor. Proceed to Step 4 and do not count the most recent year.
Step 3
Take the goalies production from the most recent season to determine his salary range. Before finalizing your offer based on the salary range, check for these conditions:
Does the goalie have less than 100GP? Yes or No
Does the goalie have 2+ higher range seasons in the past? Yes or No
Does the goalie show an upward trajectory? Yes or No
Do you wish to sign your goalie for 1-2 years (Short Term) or 3-4 years (Long Term)?
Short Term Contract (1-2 Years)
Section A (Yes to any of 1-3)
Offer a salary at the high end of his most recent season's salary range
Section B (No to all of 1-3)
Offer a salary within the most recent season range
Long-Term Contract (3-4 Years)
Section A (Yes to any of 1-3)
If yes to any of questions, offer 1 salary range higher for 3 years and 2 ranges for 4 years
If 100GP+ and 2 seasons removed from a higher salary range? Offer 3 or 4 year contract at high end of the current salary range
Section B (No to all of 1-3)
If player has shown relatively consistent production, offer 3/4 years of the current salary range based on the weighted average fantasy points of the last 2 seasons
Section C-1 - Goalies with less than 30 NHL GP in most recent season
1. Using the following template and fill relevant information for last 2 years.
NOTE: for Weighted Average add the 2 seasons' total fpts together and divide by the combined total games
<Insert Player Name>
2015/2016: total fpts/ total # games
2014/2015: total fpts/ total # games
Weighted Average fpts/game: combined total fpts / combined total games
2. Depending on your players total number of games in last 2 seasons, offer a bridge contract (max 1-2 year term)
a) If your player has less than 60 total games in last 2 seasons, offer a bridge contract with a contract valuation that you feel best represents the player
b) If your player has 60 or more total games in last 2 seasons, offer a bridge contract within the range based on weighted average fpts from most recent 2 seasons:
Goalies
3.3 Free Agency
Free agency will open in mid-August and have 2 periods, restricted free agency and unrestricted free agency. All players whose contracts have expired and are 25 and under on July 31 are considered restricted free agents. All other players are considered unrestricted free agents.
Individual threads will be created for each player, and any team will be able to bid on the player, including the current owner.
League minimum is $750,000
Bids cannot exceed 3 years, and each successive bid must be at least 0.25 points higher than the previous highest bid.
Bid scoring is based on the per year annual contract value, but the annual contract is multiplied by the 2nd and 3rd year factor.
2nd year factor multiply annual contract by 0.75
3rd year factor multiply annual contract by 0.5
Example:
Player A
Team A bids 1 year @ 8 million (8 million total) = 8 points
Team B bids 2 years @ 5.5 million (11 million total) = 5.5 + 5.5(0.75) = 9.625 points
Team C bids 3 years @ 4.5 million (13.5 million total) = 4.5 + 4.5 (0.75) + 4.5 (0.5) = 10.125 points
A bid is considered closed once no further bids have been placed after 24 hours.
Bid posting format
Example:
Thread name: Erik Karlsson
In thread
3 years @ 8,500,000
8.5 + 8.5(0.75) + 8.5(0.5) = 19.125 points
Cap remaining: $18,500,000
AMENDMENT 01/19/2017:
Teams will now be required to have the available cap space to account for all active bids, you will no longer be able to account for waiving/demoting/buying out a player to open cap space for a bid. If you do not have the available cap space, it must be made available BEFORE the bid is placed. It does not matter if the player can be sent down immediately, a team must wait until that player is signed and the thread is created demoting the player before the cap space is available again.
Example: Toronto has $10 million in available cap space and $8 million in active bids. The maximum bid he can place is $2 million. If he wishes to place a bid of more than $2 million, then he must FIRST make a move to open up the roster space (demote, waive, buyout a player), THEN the bid can be placed
NOTE: To easily enforce this, teams will be required to maintain an active bids/cap remaining table on their XLS as can be seen here (Toronto’s tab in the Google XLS). If you need help setting this up, please let me know and I can set it up for you.
3.3.1 Restricted Free Agency
Restricted free agency will be the first free agency event of any summer, starting right after re-signs. All restricted free agents will be available to be bid on and teams can place unlimited bids as long as they have the proper compensation and roster/salary cap space. Once a bid is completed, the owner of the restricted free agent will have 72 hours to choose to keep or let his player go and receive compensation
If the case arises where a team who wins the bid does not have the proper compensation, then the owner will have the choice to match the 2nd highest winning bid.
*RFA compensation
750K - 2.09M 3rd round pick (in one of next 2 drafts)
2.1M+ - 3.19M 2nd, 5th (2nd in next draft)
3.2M+ - 4.29M 2nd, 3rd (2nd in next draft)
4.3M+ - 5.39M 2 x 2nds, 3rd (1 2nd and 3rd in next draft)
5.4M+ - 6.49M 1st, 2nd (1st in next draft)
6.5M+ - 7.59M 1st, 2 x 2nds (1st and 1 2nd in next draft)
7.6M+ - 8.69M 2 x 1st (1 1st in next draft)
8.7M+ - 9.79M 2 x 1sts, 2 x 2nds (1 first and 1 2nd in next draft)
9.8M - 10.99M 3 x 1sts, 2 x 2nds (1 1st and 1 2nd in next draft)
11M+ 4 x 1sts (1 1st in next draft, must have extra 1st, not beyond 3 drafts)
When placing a bid on a restricted free agency that will require compensation, the bidding team must state the picks they are giving up:
"Calgary Flames own 1st 2020 (CGY), 2nd 2021 (OTT), 2nd 2020 (CGY) picks and places bid on Alexander Barkov"
3 years @ 6,700,000 = 6.7 + 6.7(0.75) + 6.7(0.5) = 15.075 points
As compensation, the Flames offer 1st 2020 (CGY), 2nd 2021 (OTT), 2nd 2020 (CGY) "
If a bid is given and won without compensation specified, then if the RFA owner decides not to match the offer, it is at their discretion which picks they receive. If it is found out that the bid was invalid due to improper picks owned, the 2nd best bid will be won and the false winning bid team will receive a 10% penalty on the annual value of the winning bid.
Once restricted free agency period is over, there will be a one-week period where teams can offer to re-sign their restricted free agents to 1 or 2 year contracts based on their rubric value.
AMENDMENTS 06/22/2018:
RFA Offersheeting
If a player was offersheeted, previously there was no rule in place to keep a player from matching and flipping the player to another team, who would offer more during the match/compensation decision timeline. This is now eliminated. From now on, any player who signs an offersheet and is MATCHED or COMPENSATED cannot be traded for 6 months from his signing date. This applies only to RFA offersheets, not RFAs who are re-signed post-RFA period
Non-Offersheeted RFA
If you opt not to re-sign an RFA with 1 of your 3 submissions, and the player was not given an offersheet during RFA period, then they could be re-signed for 1 year. New for this offseason, if not offersheeted, a player may now be awarded up to a 2 year contract during post-RFA period re-signs. This is to bring the rule in line with the arbitration process in real life.
If you opt not to re-sign an RFA with 1 of your 3 submissions, and the player was not given an offersheet during RFA period, then they could be re-signed for 1 year. New for this offseason, if not offersheeted, a player may now be awarded up to a 2 year contract during post-RFA period re-signs. This is to bring the rule in line with the arbitration process in real life.
AMENDMENT 07/07/2019:
New RFA compensation chart
unrestricted free agency will follow the same format as restricted free agency, however there will be no compensation for lost players and GMs can bid on their unrestricted free agents at any time (don’t have to wait for the 1-week window). The UFA period will open up right after one-week re-sign period for RFAs ends.
AMENDMENT 01/19/2017:
Free Agency Priority List
The second free agency rule to be implemented this offseason (2017) is the free agency priority list. This list will only come into effect for any bids that are at the max of not counting towards the cap (i.e., bids of $1.9 million) and if the player has less than 41GP. Once a bid of this amount is posted, other teams will be allowed to match the bid (as long as they have the cap space available). If no team raises the bid and the 24-hour window passes, the winning team will be the highest team on the free agency priority list. The winning team will then be moved to the bottom of the free agency priority list.
The list will be based on the reverse standings of this season (excluding playoff results), and will be reset each year at the completion of the regular season.
3.4 Call-Ups
A drafted or inherited player without a contract once the league starts will receive a 3 year 750,000 per year contract once they are called up or have played 10 NHL games. The contract will not count towards the cap until they are called up to the NHL roster. All call-ups must be posted in the call-up thread so that one of the Moderators/Commissioner can verify that the team has the roster and cap space to make the move. You only get *4 call ups per week and please note how many you have made per week as well as contract. eg.
Title : Jaromir Jagr - #3
Post: 7,000,000 (2025)
Amendment 07/07/19:
Changed from 7 to 4 call ups per week
3.5 Demotions/Waivers
Any player with less than 41GP can be sent to the minors without requiring waivers. Simply post in the Demotions thread with the thread title as the players’ name and contract in the pot.
Any player who does not fit this requirement must be sent through waivers where teams will have a 24 hour window to claim the player. For the first year of the league, waiver priority will be determined based on random order.
If a team successfully claims a player, they will be moved to the bottom of the order.
Any claimed player must be placed on the NHL roster. If the player is waived to the minors again without being on a team’s roster for less than 30 days, and no other team places a claim, the original owner may choose to re-claim the player (without affecting his/her waiver priority) and declare that the player be placed in the minors or on their NHL roster.
Waivers also apply to any player that is intended to be bought out as well as prospects dropped during the buyout period.
Demtions EX : Waivers EX:
TITLE : Alex Nylander Troy Brouwer
POST : 863,333 (2020) 4,500,000 (2021)
3 GP Send to minors if not claimed
AMENDMENT 01/31/2017:
Special Exemption Demotions
Any player who is subject to one of the following situations:
a) Is demoted by his real life team to the minors
b) Is in a contract holdout with his team so is inactive
Can be sent to the minors without requiring waivers. The post shall be made in the Demotions thread and the reason will be given (Ex: Jake Virtanen sent to the AHL by Vancouver Canucks, special exemption demotion).
However, once the player is recalled by his NHL club or the contract holdout is ended, the player must be called back up and be placed on the team's 23-man roster.
AMENDMENT 01/04/2021
"Trade Request Waivers"
To deter teams hoarding depth, twice a year (2 weeks prior to start of season & 1 month prior to TDL), players with 120GP+ & 0.75 fantasy points-per-game average or higher will be subjected to waivers.
3.6 Buyouts
There will be 2 buyout periods during the year, one during the months of June/August (during re-signs and free agency), and the other in January/February (before trade deadline).
For the inaugural season, buyout period will run through August/September to allow teams full competitiveness in drafting dispersal players and signing free agents.
A player being bought out must be first placed on waivers. Owners must declare that they are waiving a player with the intention of buying them out.
The penalty for buying a player is 50% of the total of the contract (ex: player has 3,000,000 (2019) contract, total value is 9,000,000), and the team may incur the penalty in lump sum over the next season, or spread it out over the life of the contract (if more than 1 season left before expiry).
Drafted players can be dropped penalty free within their "slide years" and if they have less than 10 NHL GP
Example:
Marian Hossa 6,000,000 (2019) is bought out
$6,000,000 * 3 = 18,000,000
$18,000,000 * 0.5 = 9,000,000
Option A) 1-year penalty of $9,000,000
B) 3-year penalty of $3,000,000
Good example to keep in mind when re-signing risky players to huge contracts.
As previously mentioned, if a player is traded with retention and then bought out, the team with retention will get a cap relief equal to 50% of the buyout. They will not have the option of having the whole contract be applied in a lump sum 1-year penalty.
AMENDMENT 01/19/2017: Any team buying out a player is ineligible to sign that player in free agency for the life of the buyout penalty.
AMENDMENT 01/19/2017 : If any team desires to re-acquire a player that currently has trade retention applied, that team must wait until the following season of the original trade to re-acquire him. At that time the retention slot opens up and the original salary reforms.
AMENDMENT 01/19/2017: As of the 2017 offseason, only drafted prospects contracts will slide based on the following:
a. Drafted players’ contracts will slide for 3 years or until they play 10 GP to account for development time. This will also apply to inherited prospects from the start of the league (players drafted from 2016 will have 2 slide years left, 2015, 1 slide year left)
b. Within the 3 years, if a team wishes to drop a drafted prospect, they may during one of the buyout periods by posting in the waivers thread and stating that the move is an unconditional buyout. Once confirmed, regular waiver procedure will proceed and if no one claims the prospect, then they will become a UFA.
c. After 3 years have passed, the player is moved into the minors and the regular buyout procedure applies
a. Drafted players’ contracts will slide for 3 years or until they play 10 GP to account for development time. This will also apply to inherited prospects from the start of the league (players drafted from 2016 will have 2 slide years left, 2015, 1 slide year left)
b. Within the 3 years, if a team wishes to drop a drafted prospect, they may during one of the buyout periods by posting in the waivers thread and stating that the move is an unconditional buyout. Once confirmed, regular waiver procedure will proceed and if no one claims the prospect, then they will become a UFA.
c. After 3 years have passed, the player is moved into the minors and the regular buyout procedure applies
3.7 Amnesty Cuts
When the league begins, teams will be allowed 3 amnesty cuts as a one-time offer to clear salary. There will also be a list of exceptional players who do not need to be amnestied, such as players on LTIR who are effectively retired (ex: Chris Pronger, Pavel Datsyuk).
3.7.1 Special Amnesty Clause
There will also be a special out clause for any INHERITED contracts where a player defects to the KHL or leaves the NHL due to various circumstances. Any player that is signed as a free agent or re-signed will not be eligible under this clause and will be subject to regular buyout penalties.
3.8 Re-Structures (2016 1 time only)
Once the league is established, teams have made their amnesty cuts and the dispersal draft has been held. Teams will be able to declare 2 players whose contracts they wish to re-structure. This will nullify the contract and allow the GM the opportunity to sign the player at a better price. Re-structuring players will be operated in the same format as re-signs and will be a one-time only event in the league.
3.9 Injured Reserve
**Amended 01/04/2021**
Any player who is injured may be placed on injured reserve. Being placed on injured reserve will open up a roster spot plus free up cap space. Once a player returns to health, the team will have the 48-hour injured reserve time allocation to activate the player and become roster compliant.
**Previous Rule**
This league will have 2 forms of injured reserve, short-term and long-term injury reserve
3.9.1 Short-Term Injured Reserve
This will be available to any player that is injured during the season. A GM may opt to move their player onto fantrax' injured reserve for the duration of the injury (until the player returns from injury). This move will open up a roster spot on the NHL roster, but does not free up any cap space.
3.9.1 Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR)*
Any player that is determined to be injured for over 1 month (with proper proof) may be requested to be on LTIR. A player moved to LTIR will be moved to his team's Minors in fantrax and will be unavailable for the duration of that month (regardless if he miraculously returns). Teams who lose a player to LTIR will open up a roster spot as well as free up the cap space to replace the player in a call up/free agency/trade should they choose. It is not required to sign/trade for a replacement player.
*Changed Oct 2017
Section 4 – Tanking/Unethical Conduct
While the goal of this league is to ultimately have fun and entertaining environment where we can all show our passion for hockey, each team does have a few responsibilities
4.1 Anti-Tanking
If a team is not fielding full/best lineup at all times on purpose to obtain a higher pick (ie. leaving injured players in over healthy players, benching star players for plugs, purposely having invalid roster, benching to avoid games so that no one collects points, having less than the minimum required number of players, etc) they are subject to penalties including cap hits and/or loss of draft picks.
4.2 Miscellaneous
Abusing the system through loopholes/cheating on the forum or on fantrax to get an advantage is subject to disciplinary action up to and including cap hit, loss of draft pick(s) OR removal from league.
4.3 Respect Among Peers
This is meant to be a fun environment where everyone feels welcome. As such, everyone is expected to be respectful to your fellow GM. Disagreements should not be dealt with with insults and other petty means publicly or via PMs. Zero tolerance will be given for those continuously disturbing the peace. If there is such a situation, PM the TAB and it will be dealt with.