How do you build your team identity?

American_Ernesider · 12-07-2014, 08:21 PM

While I really enjoy hockey and I have a fair knowledge of the game, building a team is really foreign to me. In sports like American Football or baseball, I sort of know the questions I need to answer -- run-oriented or pass oriented? Top notch pitching, or focus on offense, etc.

What do you look for in hockey? Let's say I want to be a strong defensively minded team..do I focus on the defensive stats as I'm looking at my roster/draft/free agent market...are any stats more useful better than others?

What is your team's identity, and what do you look for?

landru22 · 12-07-2014, 09:43 PM

I always felt it was smart to build a team from the goal out, so I'd look for a top-notch goalie and then work on defensemen and then forwards.

dave1927p · 12-07-2014, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landru22

I always felt it was smart to build a team from the goal out, so I'd look for a top-notch goalie and then work on defensemen and then forwards.

I agree, can't go wrong with that. But you should never turn down a great center on forward and build through the draft.

American_Ernesider · 12-07-2014, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landru22

I always felt it was smart to build a team from the goal out, so I'd look for a top-notch goalie and then work on defensemen and then forwards.

What is your primary criteria for looking at defensemen?

NolaSola7 · 12-08-2014, 08:08 AM

May I use your question to expand on an idea?

What about FHM, how good is it with the lines? Pretty realistic line changes?

Does anyone really have a answer?

Hockey as I know it, is a lot about the lines...

Your top 5 should be good... And I agree with building from goal out ... but building a solid rotation is important

Also remember Power Play and Power Kill, usually separates two otherwise evenly matched teams

5 v. 5 even, with a better power play, it could be the difference...

Other than that.... think schemes.. zone or match-ups, possession or breakout

greenOak · 12-15-2014, 09:03 PM

I've always felt the best way to build a hockey team in real life is down the middle (center), which is why I choose to go the same route in FHM (or EHM).

I like building my teams around a strong core of 2-way centers (I like having 3 to be able to roll 3 solid lines). I target centers with high passing, stick handling, hockey IQ, checking, and positioning.

For top4 DMan, I'm looking for guys who can hold their own defensively, and move the puck well. Checking, positioning, hockey IQ, and passing are the most important skills for me.

Don't really care about wingers so long as they're good. I typically try to pair offensive minded wingers with defensive minded ones as I have a preference for balanced lines.

For 5-6 Dman, I'm not that picky about them. I typically target 3rd pairing Dman based on need. I like having at least two Dman with a bomb for a shot (for the PP), and a couple of big physical defenders in my starting six.

I don't target anything specific in goalies. I just make sure my starting goaltender is at least average for when I'm not tanking.

12-17-2014, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by American_Ernesider

While I really enjoy hockey and I have a fair knowledge of the game, building a team is really foreign to me. In sports like American Football or baseball, I sort of know the questions I need to answer -- run-oriented or pass oriented? Top notch pitching, or focus on offense, etc.

What do you look for in hockey? Let's say I want to be a strong defensively minded team..do I focus on the defensive stats as I'm looking at my roster/draft/free agent market...are any stats more useful better than others?

What is your team's identity, and what do you look for?

Nice question and something I really enjoy doing on hockey games!

I usually build defence first and I have a strong preference for old vets rather then young stars so have an average age of like 29 is good for me

NolaSola7 · 12-17-2014, 07:30 AM

Really?

So how do you build your team long term? trade off hot prospects for the "now"

12-17-2014, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NolaSola7

Really?

So how do you build your team long term? trade off hot prospects for the "now"

Yeah, I ended up with near empty teams each end of season then start building again.

I remember keeping faith with Nate Thompson a few years ago but that never ended up well for me!

12-07-2014, 08:21 PM	#1
American_Ernesider Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 354	How do you build your team identity? While I really enjoy hockey and I have a fair knowledge of the game, building a team is really foreign to me. In sports like American Football or baseball, I sort of know the questions I need to answer -- run-oriented or pass oriented? Top notch pitching, or focus on offense, etc. What do you look for in hockey? Let's say I want to be a strong defensively minded team..do I focus on the defensive stats as I'm looking at my roster/draft/free agent market...are any stats more useful better than others? What is your team's identity, and what do you look for?

12-15-2014, 09:03 PM	#6
greenOak Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 203	I've always felt the best way to build a hockey team in real life is down the middle (center), which is why I choose to go the same route in FHM (or EHM). I like building my teams around a strong core of 2-way centers (I like having 3 to be able to roll 3 solid lines). I target centers with high passing, stick handling, hockey IQ, checking, and positioning. For top4 DMan, I'm looking for guys who can hold their own defensively, and move the puck well. Checking, positioning, hockey IQ, and passing are the most important skills for me. Don't really care about wingers so long as they're good. I typically try to pair offensive minded wingers with defensive minded ones as I have a preference for balanced lines. For 5-6 Dman, I'm not that picky about them. I typically target 3rd pairing Dman based on need. I like having at least two Dman with a bomb for a shot (for the PP), and a couple of big physical defenders in my starting six. I don't target anything specific in goalies. I just make sure my starting goaltender is at least average for when I'm not tanking. Last edited by greenOak; 12-15-2014 at 09:11 PM.

12-07-2014, 09:43 PM	#2
landru22 Major Leagues Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 440	I always felt it was smart to build a team from the goal out, so I'd look for a top-notch goalie and then work on defensemen and then forwards.

12-08-2014, 08:08 AM	#5
NolaSola7 All Star Starter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Aarhus, Denmark Posts: 1,932	May I use your question to expand on an idea? What about FHM, how good is it with the lines? Pretty realistic line changes? Does anyone really have a answer? Hockey as I know it, is a lot about the lines... Your top 5 should be good... And I agree with building from goal out ... but building a solid rotation is important Also remember Power Play and Power Kill, usually separates two otherwise evenly matched teams 5 v. 5 even, with a better power play, it could be the difference... Other than that.... think schemes.. zone or match-ups, possession or breakout

12-17-2014, 07:30 AM	#8
NolaSola7 All Star Starter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Aarhus, Denmark Posts: 1,932	Really? So how do you build your team long term? trade off hot prospects for the "now"