Question and Answers

Why are rookie players such as Taveres and Hedman salary so high when they are on rookie contracts?

The NFHL (like the NHL) uses cap hit amounts not actual players salary. In the case of Taveres for example he has $2.85M in bonuses. Therefore the Islanders are charged $3.75M against their cap.

What happens if I have a player from the Phoenix Coyotes and they fold during the season - will I be able to replace the player?

No, but my good friend Gary assures me that hockey will be successful in the desert so there should be need to be concerned.

Are the players listed in green the only players eligible to be placed on the farm team?

Yes. Only players listed in green (FTE - Farm Team Eligible) can be placed on the farm team. Essentially players that are FTE from the Active Roster can be sent down to the Farm Team by utilizing a "Recall Transaction". Players from the farm team are also utilized to replace ANY injured player from the active roster.

Do replacement players from the farm team have to be of equal or less salary than that of the player to be replaced?

No. As long as after the transaction is completed the team's Active Roster is under the NFHL Salary Cap.

Why did the NFHL impliment the 8 game waiting period for injured players?

Since injuries are no longer utilizing a teams transaction the eight games prevents teams from placing a player in injury reserve for one or two games. This would become an adminstrative burden on the league commissioner. Therefore teams will now have to determine if placing a player on IR for 8 games is feasible based on the players injury. The Injury Recall does allow teams to have the player return before 8 games if they are willing to utilize a transaction to do so.

If I request a trade during the middle of the week will the trade be activated on the players next game?

No. Trade and Farm Team Recalls are only activated on a weekly basis on Monday's. However Injury Reserve placements will be retroactive from the first game after the request was made and also the first game the player is eligible to return from IR. This prevents NFHL teams from losing out on players returning mid week but the activiation not occuring until Monday.

NFHL Analysis

The NFHL was designed to hopefully provide a realistic concept of a hockey team. The league utilizes actually NHL salary, cap amounts, and roster sizes. The overall roster should consist of balance in all positions. A true winning franchise should have a balance of good forwards, defence and goaltending. Also, with the addition of the farm team a support system to provide for movement within the active roster.

Since points are only awarded to the top players in each positions is it worthwhile to have 14 high scoring forwards but a very poor defensive core? Probably not since only the top 10 forward points will count. So the "balance" of performance players is key. Should your roster have two goalies or three? Seven defenceman or Eight? Well that is your job as the GM to determined that based on your players scoring ability and of course the dreaded cap room.

Another key element is the farm team. It is important to realize that if you do not have any Farm Team Eligible players on your active roster it then becomes impossible to move player down to the farm if needed. At that point your farm team simply because a player pool for those players on Injury Reserve only. Again this is the GM's job to determine how the farm team will be utilized all at the same time making sure that certain player movements don't place you over the cap. Do you start the season at the cap limit? Do you leave cap room for a future move? Well again that's the GM's job. I know there have been more questions than answers on Coach's Corner but these are all questions you should be asking yourself as you lay the foundation to what hopefully will be a Championship team.