Arena creation and financials

[Stealcompany]

I noticed that Sebastian mentioned that the arena field in the schedule was editable - a pretty cool feature by the way - which got me thinking about arena creation and the financials side of the game. I would really love to get an update about that side of things.

To illustrate - my intent is to start a league back in 47-48 (which I understand is the first historical year available) but with an 8 team NHL not six and progress the teams from there.

It would be cool to be able to move teams into newer arenas or even replicate the problems the Rangers had when their playoff dates conflicted with dates that the circus was in MSG and they had to play home games in Toronto.

How will arena creation work? Will we simply plug in a name and a seating capacity much like OOTP. Or will we be able to determine how many luxury seats versus cheap seats there will be? I love OOTP but I've always wished there was more to do on the stadium building side of things and hope that FHM has some cool features in that area.

It would also be great to get an update on how the financial side of things will work. Since I'm planning on operating a team out of Hamilton I'm looking forward to the struggle to keep a small market team going.

[Winnipeg59]

Would also love to hear a bit more about the business/financial side, whenever they are ready to release a little info of course - keep coding otherwise!!!

Unlike OOTP and baseball in general, ice surfaces are pretty universal, so capacity and, if they go this far, concessions, merchandising and parking and probably some other minor stuff in a catch-all, would be your financials in that area I'm sure. And unless it truly impacts the game, leave it out initially?!?

Flexibility on the contracting side of things, free agency UFA and RFA, salary caps, etc. Bring it on!!!!
But only when you're ready...

[shawa666]

There's the 200x85 current NHL Standard


The Boston Garden's ice was 191x83. Can't find the exact dimensions for the Chicago Stadium and the Aud, but I know their ices were also shorter than the NHL regulation ice.

An olympic/IIHF regulation rink is 60mx30m (197x99)

[Bluenoser]

Chicago Stadium was 188 x 85

The Aud was 196 x 85

[dave1927p]

i agree with everything except for scheduling conflicts. That's just not fun, at least not for me.

Size of the arenas could really change a strategy of a GM and coach too. Build a team that tough who finish all their checks and others will hate to play them in a smaller rink. But in a bigger rink that could be disadvantage against an agile quick puck moving team.

[dave1927p]

Originally Posted by Stealcompany

Hamilton I'm looking forward to the struggle to keep a small market team going.

How on earth can you imagine that Hamilton would be a small (NHL) Market? Hamilton and it's surronding areas are larger than most of the NHL american cities and the demand is booming for it. I'm going to bring back the Hamilton Tigers

[Le Grande Orange]

Originally Posted by dave1927p

How on earth can you imagine that Hamilton would be a small (NHL) Market? Hamilton and it's surronding areas are larger than most of the NHL american cities and the demand is booming for it. I'm going to bring back the Hamilton Tigers

Depends on how exactly you are defining market.

[Orioles1966]

Originally Posted by dave1927p

How on earth can you imagine that Hamilton would be a small (NHL) Market? Hamilton and it's surronding areas are larger than most of the NHL american cities and the demand is booming for it. I'm going to bring back the Hamilton Tigers

Back in 1947 I bet it was a small market. If Hamilton is so oh lucky to have a team in any of my leagues,a third of their home games will be played as a first game of a doubleheader at Maple Leaf Gardens.

[dave1927p]

Originally Posted by Orioles1966

Back in 1947 I bet it was a small market. If Hamilton is so oh lucky to have a team in any of my leagues,a third of their home games will be played as a first game of a doubleheader at Maple Leaf Gardens.

1947? You mean back in 1925 when they were in the NHL?

[Orioles1966]

Originally Posted by dave1927p

1947? You mean back in 1925 when they were in the NHL?

I think the games first year will be the 1947-48 season. Thats what I was referring too. The first season of FHM.

[rpriske]

Why is it being started so late? No 1925 Stanley Cup Champion Victoria Cougars?

[geckon]

Read this: http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...ical-play.html

[rpriske]

That's too bad. Hopefully they can fix that in later editions.

[shawa666]

Originally Posted by rpriske

Why is it being started so late? No 1925 Stanley Cup Champion Victoria Cougars?

Those were not NHL teams.

[dave1927p]

Originally Posted by Orioles1966

I think the games first year will be the 1947-48 season. Thats what I was referring too. The first season of FHM.

Oh, i see.

Yes, they say for a later version maybe they can start earlier but the game changed alot before that year and they say the engine just can't support it at this time. That's for historical play, if someone is creating a fictional league i don't see why it couldn't be earlier then that, the rules will just be a later period...

[Orioles1966]

Originally Posted by dave1927p

Oh, i see.

Yes, they say for a later version maybe they can start earlier but the game changed alot before that year and they say the engine just can't support it at this time. That's for historical play, if someone is creating a fictional league i don't see why it couldn't be earlier then that, the rules will just be a later period...

Here's hoping that WHA players will be available for importing back into time or forwarded too modern times.

I would prefer to start mid-60s with expansion and if there is a shortage of players,I would use the WHA players,if available. Trying too stay away from fictional players.

[Stealcompany]

Like a previous poster said, Hamilton would be a small market through much of the 40s to 70s and a challenge to keep a team afloat on a limited budget.

Hopefully future versions of the game will let us go all the way back to the founding of the NHL and then we can offer beleaguered Ontarians an alternative to the Leafs - if only in an alternative world.

[Orioles1966]

Originally Posted by Stealcompany

Like a previous poster said, Hamilton would be a small market through much of the 40s to 70s and a challenge to keep a team afloat on a limited budget.

Hopefully future versions of the game will let us go all the way back to the founding of the NHL and then we can offer beleaguered Ontarians an alternative to the Leafs - if only in an alternative world.

You could always disband the Leafs and give Toronto an expansion team(s). I am planning on going with the expanion Ontario Otters with 20 home games in Toronto,15 in Hamilton and 5 in Windsor.

How will the 1960s NHL rosters look like since there won't be minor leagues? Will teams carry 20 players on their roster with 10/15 players on the reserve list? That might leave enough extra players for 3 expansion teams but then the original teams would then have very little left in reserve.

[dave1927p]

Originally Posted by Orioles1966

You could always disband the Leafs and give Toronto an expansion team(s). I am planning on going with the expanion Ontario Otters with 20 home games in Toronto,15 in Hamilton and 5 in Windsor.

How will the 1960s NHL rosters look like since there won't be minor leagues? Will teams carry 20 players on their roster with 10/15 players on the reserve list? That might leave enough extra players for 3 expansion teams but then the original teams would then have very little left in reserve.

I hope that the number of players allowed on the reserve clause is customizable.

i also hope that the players stats show that the player was on the "reserve clause" instead of that year appearing empty. A reserve clause player would still be a great player in a 6 team league.