Welcome to the SDHL Rulebook.
For easier navigation we have included a Index to allow you to search the topic you're looking for. Simply press Control-F and paste the #.# you are looking for. I.E. Pasting 5.0 will take you directly to the Off Season section of the Rules.
All GM's are required to read and obey these rules at all times. Use them wisely young Jedi.
0.0.0 The Index
1.0.0 The SDHL (Rules and Conduct)
2.0.0 General Managers (Job outline)
3.0.0 STHS: The Program
4.0.0 Regular Season
5.0.0 Off Season (UFA, RFA and more)
6.0.0 Players and Coaches (Ratings and how they work)
7.0.0 Team Operation (Trades, Salary Cap, Lines and more)
1.0.0 The SDHL
About the SDHL
1.1.0 The SDHL stands for Shawn and Devin's Hockey League or Simply Delightful Hockey League… really though, does the name matter? The league is a simulation based league which uses the STHS Sim software. We always use the most updated version.
Code of conduct
1.2.0 All SDHL GMs are expected to act in a mature and respectful manner, especially when dealing with other GMs. The first goal is having fun, rivalries are encouraged, but in order to have a successful league SDHL GMs must treat each other, league officials, and themselves with respect.
1.2.1 The league encourages input from all members. However, excessive criticism and negativity on the message boards is a violation of the code of conduct.
1.2.2 Any member who is not adhering to the code of conduct will be warned, and may be subject to sanctions from the league, including dismissal.
SDHL Management
1.3.0 The SDHL is currently headed by executive committee headed by dual commissioners, and supported by a number of other managers.
2.0.0 General Managers
Duties
2.1.0 As a General Manager in the SDHL you have some specific duties that should be done on a regular basis. The duties include but are not limited to:
· Sending in lines
· Making trades to improve your franchise
· Signing players
· Balancing your teams finances
· Staying below the salary cap
· Keeping within the roster limitations
· Participating in the Entry draft and Free Agent process
· Responding to emails and PM's in a prompt fashion
· Actively participating in message board discussion
2.1.1 A GM who does not fulfill his duties will be subject to sanctions from the league, including dismissal.
GM Participation
2.2.0 Being an active member of not just the SDHL but the SDHL community is strongly encouraged.
Posting regularly and engaging in discussions on the league's message board is a necessity. GMs are to look to improve their teams at all times. Teams may do this through a variety of avenues including making trades, signing and drafting players.
Teams should always be looking to improve their teams through trading. Teams can always get better, and no GM should look to sit on his or her team when there are many GMs to trade with. An active league is a great league.
2.2.1 All GMs are required to participate in the following manner
a) Sending in lines at least once a week
b) Reply to league emails and trade offers from other GMs
c) Regularly attend GM meetings
d) Post something in the Trade/ Talk forum at least once every month
e) Write articles about their team when time permits
f) Participate on the forums by answering personal messages at least once a week.
g) Sending in lines at least once during the pre-season
h) Participating in free agency and the draft during the off-season
i) Actively monitoring their team during the playoffs.
j) Ensuring that their team remains as competitive as possible
2.2.2 A GM who does not participate according to the above guidelines will be subject to sanctions from the league, including dismissal.
GM Rewards
2.3.0 In order to encourage activity and participation, GMs may be rewarded for certain tasks with bonuses in SDHL dollars.
2.3.1 All dollar figures in this rulebook refer to in SDHL funds. The SDHL is a non-cash league. Unless of course, you feel obliged to pay me for my hard work.
2.3.2 The amount of any GM participation reward is ultimately subject to the discretion of the commissioners or executive committee.
2.3.3 Notwithstanding s.2.3.2, GMs may receive a maximum of $4,000,000 in GM Participation Rewards per season.
2.3.4 Notwithstanding s.2.3.2, a league Agent will receive $1Million per season. A member of the ratings committee will receive $750,000 per season. A member of the trade committee will receive $500,000 per season.
2.3.5(a) GMs that regularly write articles about the league or their team are eligible for Participation Rewards to be given out at the end of each season.
2.3.5(b) The guidelines for these awards are :
-Short: 500-1000 words: $250,000
-Medium: 1000-2000 words: $500,000
-Long: 2000 words +: $1,000,000
-Huge: 2000+ words but something big: season preview, draft review, free agency review: $2,000,000
2.3.6 A GM who participates in other league duties may be rewarded pursuant to the rules and guidelines established in this section.
2.3.7 GM Participation rewards will be awarded after each season.
Leaves of Absence
2.4.0(a) There will be exceptions made to GM duties and participation as long as reasonable notice is given.
2.4.0(b) If a GM is unable to fulfill their duties in the league for a period of time, they are required to inform the league of their impending absence as well as provide a reasonable estimation as to when they will be able to return to their duties.
2.4.0(c) A GM whose leave of absence runs indefinitely or who takes repeated leaves of absence or who fails to give proper notice may be subject to sanctions from the league, including dismissal.
Sanctions
2.5.0(a) The Commissioners and the executive committee reserve the right to sanction members for violating any of the rules and guidelines outlined in this rulebook, or for engaging in other conduct detrimental to the league.
2.5.0 (b) What constitutes sanctionable behavior is ultimately left to the discretion of the commissioners or their delegates.
2.5.0(c) Sanctions include, but are not limited to, fines, the forfeiture of draft picks, suspension, or dismissal.
2.5.0(d) A GM who feels he has been unfairly sanctioned has no right of appeal, but may request the executive committee to review the decision.
2.5.0(e) Any fines levied by the Commissioners will be put into a pool and dispersed via a lottery draft at the end of the season. Lottery odds will be based on regular season results with last place teams having bigger odds of winning.
3.0.0 STHS Sim
STHS Version
3.1 The version currently being used is version 1.1.3
Lines
3.2 Line set up can be sent in to sdhlcommish@hotmail.com.
Attributes Definitions
3.3.0 Player performance is based on their ratings in a variety of skills.
3.3.1 For Players Roster Full Rating:
CK = Checking
FG = Fighting
DI = Discipline
SK = Skating
ST = Strength
DU = Durability
PH = Puck Handling
FO = Face Offs
PA = Passing
SC = Scoring
DF = Defense
EX = Experience
LD = Leadership
MO = Morale
PO = Potential
OV = Overall
3.3.2 Players Roster Reduce Rating (not used in SDHL ratings as of right now):
IT = Intensity --> Checking / Fighting / Discipline
PY = Physique --> Skating / Strength / Durability
PC = Puck Control --> Puck Handling / Face Offs / Passing
SC = Scoring --> Scoring
DF = Defense --> Defense
ME = Mental --> Experience / Leadership / Morale
PO = Potential --> Potential
OV = Overall --> Overall
3.3.3 Goaltenders:
SK = Skating
DU = Durability
ST = Strength
SZ = Size
AG = Agility
RB = Rebound Control
SC = Style Control
HS = Hand Speed
RT = Reaction Time
EX = Experience
LD = Leadership
MO = Morale
PO = Potential
OV = Overall
3.3.4 Injuries and Suspension Details:
DD - Day to day injury.
1W - 1-2 week injury.
3W - 3-4 week injury.
1M - 4-6 week injury.
3M - 2-4 month injury
IN - Injured indefinitely.
S# - Suspended for # of games.
3.3.5 Team Scoring Definitions
GP - Games played
G - Goals
A - Assists
P - Points
+/- - Plus Minus
PIM - Penalty minutes
PP - Power play goals
SH - Short handed goals
GW - Game winning goals
GT - Game tying goals
S - Shots
PCTG - Shooting percentage
GS - Goal scoring streak (in games)
PS - Point scoring streak (in games)
4.0.0 Regular Season
Simulation
4.1.0 Each team will play 82 games, 41 games at home and 41 on the road.
4.1.1 Two sim seasons will be played per calendar year.
4.1.2 Games will be simulated daily at 3PM ET/2PM PT. Lines must be received by the commissioner by 2PM ET/1PM PT to be used for that day's games. Games may occasionally be a few hours late.
4.1.3 If games cannot be simulated at the time listed above, the commissioner will post a notice on the message board notifying the league of the change.
4.1.4 If for any particular reason games cannot be simulated on a particular day, the commissioner will post a notice on the message board notifying the league of the change and will simply double up on the next simulation date.
Trade Processing
4.2.0 All trades are processed after games are simulated.
4.2.1 Trades must be posted on the message board and agreed too by both GMs.
4.2.2 Trades will remain on the boards, open for debate for 24 hours before they are processed.
4.2.3 Trades that have Future Considerations must be posted in the future consideration section of the forum immediately after the trade is announced. If not, the trade will automatically be vetoed.
4.2.4 Trades must be specific regarding the details of the trade. If a "First Round draft pick" is named in the trade, year and original team owner must be named as well. Failure to do so will result in the Commishoner making the decision for the GM's. The Commishoners choice can not be debated or changed.
Rest Days
4.3.0 There will be 2 rest days per week. A rest day is a day for your players to rest and recuperate.
4.3.1 One rest day will be simulated after the Wednesday games and the other after Sunday games.
Lines
4.4.0 Lines are loaded daily.
4.4.1 Lines will be used until new ones are submitted with the exception that if a team makes a trade its lines may be automated right after the trade is processed.
4.4.2 If a player suffers an injury or receives a suspension the team is required to submit lines for the following day.
All Star Break
4.5.0 Each season the SDHL will hold an All Star Break.
4.5.1 Each team will select three of its players to send to the All Star Game.
4.5.2 The conference leaders will select their respective conferences roster from the players provided.
4.5.3 The two GMs will make lines for the All Star Game.
4.5.4 The GM winning the all-star game will receive $1,000,000.
4.5.5 The first star of the game will earn $1,000,000 for his team, second star $500,000 and third star $250,000.
Trade Deadline
4.6.0 The trade deadline will be at 80% of the games played of the season
4.6.1 Trading will resume after the playoffs are completed.
Playoffs
4.7.0 The top eight teams in each conference will take part in the playoffs.
4.7.1 The division leaders will be seeded first and second in the conference.
4.7.2 Players are not paid during the playoffs but teams still earn revenues from home games.
5.0.0 Off-season
Awards
5.1.1 The league will honor the regular season performance of individual players with awards in much the same way as the NHL does, based on regular season performance.
5.1.2 The Awards given out by the SDHL will be the Vezina (top goaltender), the Art Ross (most total points), the Rocket Richard (most total goals), the Norris (top defenseman), the Calder (top rookie), the Selke (top defensive forward) the Jack Adams (Coach of the year), the Hart (player judged to be most valuable to his team) and finally the SDHL GM of the Year Award.
5.1.3(a) Other than the Art Ross and the Rocket Richard awards, awards will be based on GM voting on the top three candidates in a poll on the DHL message board.
5.1.3(b) Candidates will be selected by the commissioner or a designate based on the players regular season performance.
5.1.4 The team that held the rights to a player who wins a league award at the end of the regular season will receive a bonus of $1,000,000. The GM of the Year will receive a bonus of $2,000,000.
Retirements
5.2.1 Player retirements will occur at the end of each SDHL season.
5.2.2(a) Players will retire from the SDHL one full SDHL season after they announce their official retirement from the NHL or following re-rates after announcing their retirement before a SDHL season begins.
5.2.2(b) For purposes of 5.2.2(a), a SDHL season is considered to begin on the day that seasons first pre-season games are simulated.
5.2.3 Players who are currently playing in another hockey league when re-rates are performed or whom the league has a reasonable expectation that they may return to playing will be inserted onto a team's farm list with a deduction in stats. Should any such player return to the NHL, they will be reinstated according to league guidelines.
5.2.4(a) Once a player is reinstated, they will be able to play out the remainder of their contract with the SDHL team that owns their rights.
5.2.4(b) A retired player who was acquired by a team via the entry draft will be assigned a standard entry-contract based on their draft position.
5.2.4(c) A player who retires while eligible for unrestricted free agency and then returns will be added to the UFA pool upon meeting creation requirements.
5.2.4(d) A player who retires while eligible for restricted free agency and then returns will have his rights retained by his owning team until such time as the player turns 30 or his rights are otherwise relinquished by the owning team.
5.2.4(e) Teams will not be required to submit a qualifying offer in order to retain the rights of a retired Restricted Free Agent.
Entry Draft
Draft Structure.
5.3.1. The Entry draft will consist of 4 rounds for the drafts following SDHL Year 2 and SDHL Year 3. All subsequent Entry Drafts maybe reworked.
5.3.2(a) Each SDHL Entry Draft will correspond to an NHL Entry Draft. SDHL Y2 Entry Draft corresponds to the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. SDHL Y4 Entry Draft corresponds to the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
5.3.2(b) As each SDHL season lasts about half a NHL season, SDHL drafts will occur after every 2 seasons after the playoffs and before Free Agency season begins.
5.3.3 The players eligible for selection in each SDHL entry draft will be players selected in that draft, and any other eligible player. Eligibility will be discussed in further detail under section.
Draft Eligibility
5.3.4 A player is eligible for selection in the SDHL entry draft if no SDHL team currently holds his rights and;
a) He was drafted by an NHL team during the corresponding NHL entry draft or a prior one, or
b) He is an undrafted player who is 21 years of age or older following the corresponding or most recent NHL Entry Draft, but not older than 26 years of age.
5.3.5 Undrafted players over the age of 23 qualify for SDHL Unrestricted Free Agency status provided they can be created according to our creation guidelines.
Draft Procedure
5.3.6 The SDHL entry draft will be held following the completion of a SDHL season and before the Free Agency signing period.
5.3.7 The SDHL entry draft will be held live in a chat room provided by the commissioner. The date and start time of the draft will be determined by the commissioner and provided to the league no later than 48 hours prior to the draft.
Draft Attendance
5.3.8(a) Attendance at each live entry draft is mandatory for GMs.
5.3.8(b) GMs who cannot attend the draft are required to send a comprehensive list from which their selections will be made.
5.3.8(c) A GM who does not attend or send a list will have his teams draft selections will have the player with the highest overall remaining selection number from the corresponding NHL entry draft.
5.3.8(d) The Commissioner or person he appoints to run the draft may disregard;
5.4.8(c) and substitute a selection of his own judgment.
5.3.8(e) A GM who does not attend the draft or send a list is subject to disciplinary action by the SDHL, including dismissal.
Draft Lottery
5.3.9(a) The first 5 picks in the first round of the SDHL entry draft will be determined via a draft lottery in which the 12 non-playoff teams will participate. The 8 remaining picks for non-playoff teams will be in reverse order of the standings and for the 8 teams who did not get chosen in the lottery.
5.3.9(b) The first round pick that originally belonged to the Stanley Cup winner will be the last pick of the first round.
5.3.9(c) Notwithstanding 5.4.9(b), the remaining picks in the first round (playoff teams) will be determined by the final SDHL standings.
5.3.9(d) The remaining rounds of the SDHL entry draft will be ordered from 1 to 30 in regards to final SDHL standings.
5.3.10 The draft lottery will be conducted using random numbers and a random number generator.
5.3.11 A teams chance of winning the Entry Draft lottery will be commensurate with their final standing during the SDHL regular season. These chances are as follows:
30th-24%
29th-20%
28th-16%
27th-12%
26th- 9%
25th - 6%
24th - 4%
23rd- 3%
22nd- 2%
21st- 2%
20th- 1%
19th- 1%
Free Agency
Definitions
5.4.1(a) A player who is under the age of 26 at the time he is eligible for a new contract, and the team that owns his rights makes him a qualifying offer, is considered a Restricted Free Agent (hereafter, RFA).
5.4.1(b) A player who is 27 years or older at the time he is eligible for a new contract is considered a Group 1 Unrestricted Free Agent (hereafter, UFA).
5.4.1 (c) A Restricted Free Agent whose team does not tender him a qualifying offer immediately becomes a Group 2 Unrestricted Free Agent (hereafter Group 2 UFA).
Salary Tables
5.4.2(a) Players must be signed based on their current NHL contracts (found at http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php) and only between 1-5 years. NHL Entry Level Contracts are considered null and void and the below table should be used to determine the value of your player.
5.4.2(b) Signing bonuses can be used to subtract from the yearly total in order to cut down on a GM's cap space.
Table A (Salary Table) guide for Forwards and Defenseman
82+ -$6000000 and up
80+ -$5500000 and up
78+ -$5000000 and up
77 -$4500000 and up
76 -$4000000 and up
75 -$3500000 and up
74 -$3000000 and up
73 -$2500000 and up
72 -$2000000 and up
71 -$1500000 and up
70 -$1000000 and up
69 -$900000 and up
68 -$800000 and up
67 -$700000 and up
66 -$600000 and up
65 -$500000 and up
64 -$400000 and up
63 and lower- $375000
Table B (Salary table) for Goaltenders
86 -$7000000
85 -$6000000
84 -$5000000
83 -$4200000
82 -$3700000
81 -$3400000
80 -$3100000
79 -$2800000
78 -$2400000
77 -$2000000
76 -$1600000
75 -$1200000
74 -$1000000
73 -$900000
72 -$700000
71 -$600000
70 -$500000
69 -$400000
68 and under -$375000
5.4.3 A player's agent may decide that the value of his client is more then what the table suggests and will send a counter offer to the GM. The GM has the choice on whether to accept, counter or allow the player to test the UFA market.
5.4.4 All of this information will be provided for GMs.
Restricted Free Agency
5.4.5 The RFA period will take place following the entry draft along with the UFA period.
5.4.6 Restricted Free Agents can be signed on the open market through the agents, but there are restrictions. If you sign a RFA, his old team can match your offer. Also, compensation will be awarded to the old team should they decided to pass on the chance to match the offer.
5.4.7 OFFER COMPENSATION
$773,442 or below None
Over $773,442 to $1,171,882 Third-round choice
Over $1,171,882 to $2,343,765 Second-round choice
Over $2,343,765 to $3,515,647 First-round and third-round choice
Over $3,515,647 to $4,687,530 First-round, second-round and third-round choice
Over $4,687,530 to $5,859,412 Two first-round choices (One from next draft), one second and one third-round choice.
Over $5,859,412 Four first-round choices- At least ONE from the next draft
Compensation draft picks will be taken from the next upcoming draft (i.e. you can't decide to give a team a 2012 pick instead of a 2009 if your team has a 2009 pick.) unless otherwise stated in the Compensation Rules. These offers include the Signing Bonus in the final total.
5.4.8 Upon signing an RFA, in addition to the salary, a team may pay a signing bonus to the player. The signing bonus in a contract should be no larger than three times the annual salary. So if you sign someone for five years with a $5,000,000 annual salary, the signing bonus cannot be any more than $15,000,000.
5.4.9 Signing bonuses are paid in full up front, and do not count against the Salary Cap.
5.4.10 A contract offer of at least one season, with the salary determined as outlined in section 5.4.3, and a signing bonus as outlined in s. 5.4.6, is the minimum offer required by a team to retain that players rights, hereafter referred to as a Qualifying Offer.
5.4.11 If a team makes a qualifying offer but cannot pay the signing bonus, they will not retain the rights to that player and that player will holdout and be eligible for arbitration.
5.4.12 A player that does not receive a qualifying offer from his team during the RFA period immediately becomes eligible for arbitration.
5.4.13 A team can decide not to sign a RFA who goes through arbitration, but by deciding to do so, the player becomes a UFA and the original team looses the chance to claim draft picks or the right to match any offer given. Starting bids on a UFA will start at the arbitrators decision.
5.4.14 Loans will not be allowed.
5.4.15 A team is not allowed to offer signing bonuses for RFA's or UFA's if they do not have the money in their current funds or corresponding compensation picks.
Unrestricted Free Agency
5.4.16 The UFA bidding period will commence following the Draft.
5.4.17 UFA salary will be determined by the GM's during open bidding in a league wide auction.
5.4.18 UFA bidding on each player will consist of two bidding sessions.
Notwithstanding s.5.4.14, GMs will bid on what signing bonus they are willing to offer the player.
a) During the bidding, GMs will submit their offers to the league via email to sdhlcommish@hotmail.com.
b) At the conclusion of 48 hours, the highest bid will be declared the winning bid unless another offer comes in before the 4pm EST update.
c) The strength of a bid is determined by the signing bonus with different weights
depending on the number of contract years offered.
d) At the conclusion of the 48 hours, the highest contract per year wins the player. In the event of a tie, the teams that offered the same amount will enter another round of closed bidding. These rounds will continue until one team is offering the most.
If these rounds of bidding stalemate; the winning team will be determined randomly.
e) The entirety of a signing bonus is to be paid up front.
f) Teams can decide not to offer a Signing Bonus.
5.4.19(a) If a player is an UFA and no team has signed him, he will be put on the
Unassigned Players List where any team may sign him. Unassigned players will be subject to the same rules as UFA bidding as described in section 5.4.17.
5.4.20 UFA bidding will be done all at once, with approved contract offers being open for bidding for a period of 48 hours. Basically, if you miss out, you miss out.
5.4.21 No team can bid at any one time more money than they have in their SDHL funds.
5.4.22 A team can bid on a player for an amount that will put them over the cap, however, they will have until the beginning of the start of the regular season to get themselves back under the cap.
5.4.23 A GM will only have 24 hours during the season to get themselves under the cap or a player whose cap hit equals the overage will be placed on waivers.
6.0.0 Players and Coaches
Player Contracts & Prospects
6.1.0 Player contracts are to be a maximum of 5 seasons in duration.
6.1.1 Prospects are players without contracts who have been drafted by a SDHL team
6.1.2 Prospects usually consist of players who have yet to play in the NHL, but may also consist of players who have retired or who have played in the AHL, Europe or another pro-league.
6.1.3(a) A previously unsigned prospect is signed to a 4-year deal once he is signed by his team.
6.1.3(b) The salary for a prospect is usually determined by his draft position as illustrated by the Prospect Signing Table (Table E).
Prospects Signing Table (Table E)
72+ 1000000
71 800000
70 600000
69 500000
68 500000
67 400000
66 400000
65- 300000
6.1.4(a) Prospects will be rated on (SP, SK, DF and LD) by the SDHL Ratings Committee, and will be rated on (IT, EN, DU, ST, DI, PC, PA, SC, EX) based on their pro-rated statistical performance in their first 25 NHL games.
6.1.4(b) A prospect who has played 5 or more NHL games may be signed based on his NHL stats until that point, but will be created as though he has played 25 NHL games.
6.1.5(a) Once a player is created, they are part of the league ratings, and will be re-rated with all players when NHL re-rates occur.
6.1.5(b) Any challenges to a prospects ratings will only be accepted during the
designated challenge periods, after NHL re-rates have occurred for the entire league or during mid-season re-rates.
6.1.6 Prospects may be signed at any point of the season upon reaching the requirements. However, a prospect created partially through a season will play out the first year of his entry contract during that season, irrespective of how many games he plays.
6.1.7 No team may have more than 100 prospects at any given time.
Injuries
6.2.0 All players are subject to injury including goaltenders
6.2.1 The injury report will display the type of injury and the expected amount of time a player will miss.
6.2.2 Players whose CD rating is 95 or over are just fatigued and not injured. They do not need to be replaced but will need some rest. Resting goaltenders is important as they will perform poorly if not adequately rested.
6.2.3 Pre-season injuries will carry over to the regular season.
6.2.4 A GM will be required to resubmit lines following an injury.
6.2.5 A player with a CD rating below 94 will be placed on injured reserve and their salary will not count towards a GM's current cap.
Suspensions
6.3.0 STHS Sim handles suspensions.
6.3.1 A suspended player cannot dress for the amount of games he is suspended.
6.3.2 A GM will be required to resubmit lines following a suspension.
6.3.3 A suspended player must remain on the active roster during the length of his suspension, and will receive his full salary (donated to the SDHL charity of the players choice… A.K.A. you're screwed out of whatever the player earned).
Salaries
6.4.0 Salaries are displayed on the Player Vitals page as well as the Finances page.
6.4.1 Salaries are determined as outlined in s.5.4 Free Agency.
6.4.2 A player on the pro-team will receive his full contract amount.
6.4.3 A player on the farm team will receive 10% of his salary.
6.4.4 A farm player called up to the pro-team will be paid his full salary for the duration of his stay with the pros.
6.4.5 The minimum player salary is $375,000 per season.
6.4.6 The cumulative salaries of the players on the active-pro roster may never exceed that seasons maximum cap value (currently $48,000,000).
Position Changes
6.5.0(a) A players official position may be switched at anytime during the season
6.5.0(b) The position change should be made via a post on the corresponding thread in the message board in the Team Activities forum.
6.5.0(c) The position change should be a players valid position shown on TSN.ca or another reputable website or source. A link to this source should be provided in the post on the Team Activities forum.
6.5.1 There are no maximums on position changes, but GMs are encouraged to be reasonable.
6.5.2 A player playing out of position in the sim will see his performance reduced significantly.
6.5.3 Position changes must be in 2 hours prior to the sim (or 5PM EST) and be accompanied by line changes in order to take effect for that days sims.
Aging
6.6.0 All players are considered their real life age at any and all times.
Waivers
6.7.0 Any player 26 yrs of age or older sent down to the farm, and who have played more then 25 games on the main team will be placed on waivers.
6.7.1 When a player is claimed on waivers, the team claiming the player will give $500k to the team who previously owned the player.
Coaches
6.8.0 Coaches influence a teams play; Coach ratings can be found on the coach listing page.
6.8.1 Each coach signed by a team will have their salaries determined by the team. Coaches can influence their pay with their ratings.
6.8.2 Coaches can have their contracts extended at any time, but each time a coaches contract is extended or renewed his salary must go up by 10%.
6.8.3(a) A coach whose contract is not renewed prior to its expiration will be added or newly created coaches will be treated as UFAs.
6.8.3(b) A team that wishes to hire a coach who has been recently fired or created will do so by making their intentions known via email or PM to a Commissioner AND by making a post on the board.
6.8.3(c) If any other team wishes to hire that coach at that time, they must also make their intentions known in that thread within 24 hours. If no other team wishes to hire the coach in question, the first team will hire him at a predetermined salary without signing bonus. If another team wishes to claim the coach, a 1 round UFA signing bonus bidding session will be held with that coach going to the highest bidder.
6.8.4 New ratings will be given to coaches during the off-season based on their
performance during the NHL season. Those who did not coach their ratings will be as indicated in section 6.8.5(a).
6.8.5(a) A coach who is fired or promoted to GM by his NHL club, but retained by his SDHL club, will see his existing ratings drop 10% following each re-rate period in which he is not employed.
6.8.5(b) A coach who is unemployed or retired in the NHL and not currently employed by a team in the SDHL maybe retired immediately and ineligible to be hired by a SDHL team until such time as that coach returns to a head coaching position in the NHL.
6.8.6 Coaches may be fired at any time; however, he must be immediately replaced with another coach.
6.8.6(b) A team may hire another coach before firing their current one, however the original coach must be fired immediately. No team can have more than two coaches on staff at any given time (farm and big league team).
6.8.7 Coaches may be traded among teams, but no team may be without a coach and any trade that leaves a team without a coach will be invalidated.
Ratings/Re-rates (For odd years the DHL season beginning in late summer or fall)
6.9.0 Player ratings will be based on a players NHL performance in the last NHL season.
6.9.1 During the off-season each player that has played 25 or more games will receive ratings based on his prorated stats for 82 games.
6.9.2 Any player who has played more than 5 NHL games but less than 25 will receive new ratings as if he had played 25 games but his other stats will not be changed (Ex: A player with 3 goals and 5 assists in 15 games will be rated the same as a player with 3 goals and 5 assists in 25 games).
6.9.3 Player ratings will be based solely on stats except for SP, SK and DF which will be rated by the ratings committee.
6.9.4 A GM will have the opportunity to challenge three players SP, SK and DF ratings. Those challenges will be reviews by the ratings committee.
6.9.5 All goalies that have played 5 NHL games will receive new ratings. The formula used for goaltender ratings already rewards those who play the most NHL games, no further adjustment is necessary.
6.9.6 Player ratings will be based on a players NHL performance in the last NHL season.
6.9.7 Forwards, defensemen and goalies will be rated separately. Goalie ratings will be mainly based on Save Percentage however Games Played, GAA, Wins and Shutouts will also be used.
6.9.8 The following table explains how each category will be rated for players (based on the shortened STHS rating system):
Table F
IT: Hits
SP: Ratings Committee
ST: Height and Weight
EN: Ice Time
DU: Games Played
DI: Penalties in minutes
SK: Ratings Committee
PA: Assists
PC: Points and Power Play Goals
DF: Ratings Committee
SC: Goals
EX: Mostly Age
LD: Ratings Committee
Ratings/Re-rates (For even years. The SDHL season beginning in late winter or spring)
6.9.8 For Y2 teams will be allowed to select 3 players to receive new ratings based on their performance for the first part of the NHL season.
6.9.9 Those ratings will be determined the same way as in even years.
6.9.10 Starting in a couple of seasons, in even years (which will usually begin during the middle of an NHL season), all players will be rated based 50% on their previous ratings and 50% based on their stats throughout the first part of the NHL season.
7.0.0 Team Operations
Trading
7.1.0 Teams in the SDHL may trade players, draft picks, money, coaches, and Future Considerations.
7.1.1(a) Future considerations constitute any element of a trade that isn't completely established at the time the trade is made and processed.
7.1.1(b) Future considerations must be posted in the Future Considerations thread in the Trade Announcements Forum immediately after the trade is announced.
7.1.1(c) The validity of a future considerations agreement is subject to approval by the league.
7.1.2 Teams may only trade picks from the next two upcoming entry drafts for the first two seasons. After that, only picks from the next four seasons can be traded.
7.1.3 Teams are not allowed to borrow players from another team. Evidence of player borrowing will result in the trade being voided and the GMs facing possible sanctions from the league, including dismissal.
Trade Review
7.1.4(a) Any new GM will have his trades closely monitored during his first 30 days.
7.1.4(b) A GM who appears to be struggling in his deals may be placed on temporary probation, where his trades are subject to close monitoring by the league and the trade committee.
7.1.5 Whether or not a trade will be reviewed by the Trade Committee is subject to determination by the other GM's and the length a GM has been employeed by the SDHL.
7.1.6 There is no limit as to how much money teams can trade within a season, however all trades involving more than $5,000,000 will be scrutinized by the Commissioners or the Trade Committee.
Trading Period
7.1.7 The trading periods are outlined in s. 4.6 of this rulebook.
Betting
7.1.8 Betting is allowed between GMs but no team may lose more than 3 million during a SDHL Year (starts when the pre-season begins). Once a team has lost 3 million they may not bet anymore.
7.1.9 Bets must be posted by both GMs in the Bets forum on the message board.
7.1.10 A team must have the available funds to make a bet.
7.1.11 The commissioner has the right to void any bet if he feels it is inappropriate.
Salary Cap
7.2.0 A salary cap of $50 million dollars and a salary floor of $25 million dollars will be instituted beginning in Y2. Currently it is $56 million dollars and a salary floor of $20 million dollars for Y1.
7.2.1(a) The salary caps are subject to slight adjustment prior to the beginning of a season.
7.2.1(b) Any significant change to the salary cap will be accompanied with extended notice (usually around one full season).
7.2.2 (a) A teams Salary Cap figure will only include their pro payroll. However, a team is recommended to go no higher than 95% of the Cap in case of injuries.
7.2.2(b) If a team suffers an injury and is forced to go over the cap, then he must notify the commissioner and his highest paid player will be suspended until the situation is rectified. If the GM does not notify the commissioner, he is subject to a fine.
7.2.2(c) A team caught violating the cap will be fined $500,000 per game over the cap. Continued violation will result in continued fines and possibly forfeiture of draft picks.
Buy-Outs
7.2.3 Players may be bought out of their contract at 2/3's (66%) of the remaining salary on the contract. This figure is to be paid immediately by the team, but will not count against the salary cap.
7.2.3(b) A bought-out player is immediately eligible for free agency bidding.
Seats and Ticket Prices
7.3.0 Every arena has a base number of seats set to their NHL counterpart.
7.3.1 Ticket prices can be changed at any time during the season. Selling tickets is a teams main source of revenue.
7.3.1(b) Ticket price changes should be posted in the Team Activities forum for
processing or done automatically through the STHS Client (must be e-mailed to the Commish for loading).
7.3.1(c) Changes to ticket prices must be made at least 2 hours prior to the scheduled sim time in order to be processed for that days sim.
Finances
7.4.0 Teams will make money from selling tickets and from bonuses.
7.4.1(a) Attendance is affected by how well the team is playing and whether or not they have star players.
7.4.1(b) Star players are those with 80OV or higher.
7.4.2 GMs will be in charge of keeping their team in positive finances. A GM that has his team lose money constantly will be subject to sanction by the league, including dismissal.
7.4.3 The finance page has all the information pertinent to a teams finances, such as projected balance and committed salaries.
7.4.4 Teams will not earn money during the pre-season.
Rosters
7.5.0 Teams must have a minimum of 20 active, non-injured players on their pro club at all times. A team violating this rule will be subject to a fine of $500,000 or other sanctions at the Commissioners discretion.
7.5.1 Teams can have a maximum of 23 players on their pro-rosters (20 dressed and 3 scratched).
7.5.2 A teams combined farm and pro-roster should never exceed 50. A team exceeding this number will have to trade or buy-out their players.
Lines
7.6.0(a) All lines should be submitted via e-mail to sdhlcommish@hotmail.com.
7.6.0(b) A link will be provided on the main page for line submission.
7.6.1 Teams must set 4 lines, 3 defense pairings, and power play and penalty kill lines as well as a starting goaltender.
7.6.2 Goaltenders must be changed when they are fatigued or their performance will be dropped considerably.
Best Line Rule
7.6.3(a) A GM must submit what he believes are his teams best lines.
7.6.3(b) Any GM caught using lines that considerably hurt their teams chances of
winning will be fined draft picks or money on initial offences, and may be subject to dismissal following repeat offences.
7.6.4 Players may play out of position but their performance will be decreased by 10%.
See 6.5 Position changes.
Farm Team
7.7.0 Farm team statistics will be available, including standings and player statistics.
