Post by NYR (Rob) on Jun 18, 2016 7:22:23 GMT -8
Here's what you need to know before the entry draft as far as conduct and expectations to help the draft run as smoothly as possible.
1. Have your selections ready BEFORE the draft, or at least before your turn.
Have a list. A BIG list. There's 140 selections in total in our draft from an actual NHL draft that's 210 spots-ish long. Having a large list guarantees you'll always have somebody left to choose from. Whether you compile your list before the draft or piecemeal is up to you, but having multiple selections ready to go before your turn in case the #1 guy you want is picked before your selection and you gotta take #2 or #3 won't leave you pooched.
If you're having problems identifying prospects? There's tons of sites dedicated to profiling draft selections. Dobber, McKeens, etc. They're huge.
2. Figure out trades BEFORE your turns comes up
When you watch the NHL draft, teams have almost all of their moves lined up prior to their pick. Doesn't mean they'll happen, but they're ready to go if they do. I'm asking each GM to try and do the same. Sure, maybe it takes a little bit of time in the present moment or some further negotiation if that guy you want is still available and you're trying to move up to acquire that selection. But try not to start the conversation at that point. You should have already made inquiries to availability, what they're looking for, etc before then.
3. Check in.
Every GM at the bare minimum should be checking at least 3 times a day(assuming you have a "average" 8 hour workshift on a normal day). Once in the morning, once after work, once before bed. Or however that looks for you. But checking in more than that and as many times as possible ensures the draft keeps moving and everyone can get back to summer as soon as possible.
4. Communicate.
I've seen GM's login and say, "Sorry guys, just heading home, will pick when I get there." "Sorry guys, just waiting to hear from somebody on an offer." Letting everyone know what's happening is courteous and appreciated. Also, answer every private message as soon as possible. Not answering PM's is bad and not tolerated at draft time. As in zero tolerance. Very, very bad.
And be clear when you answer messages. Let the other guy know exactly what you're looking for. It leads to a lot less back and forth messages.
5. Use technology.
Far as I can tell, everyone has a phone here. Or a very large majority. If you're away or have a break at work, check it. Proboards has a pretty good app you can use. Or just use your standard mobile browser to use the site. I have my draft list in an Excel document on Google Drive. So I can access my list from my phone if I need to and make a selection when I'm away from my computer. Those GM's with a data plan can use their phones to receive notifications when their selection is up.
6. This one's huge. The time granted for your pick is NOT for you to do research. Do that BEFORE your selection.
I can't stress this one enough. The 18/12 hour period for each GM's turn is for life. Business, work, family, recreation, etc. Summer's awesome and enjoying it is key. But once you login into the site, make your selection so the draft can move along. If it's your turn(and barring any PM's you have to answer), it shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes to make your selection. If you have 2 or 3 selections in a row, make them all at once. You won't even have to think about it because of your giant list.
If you're on the site, its your turn, and you start doing research on who you want to select?
You're wasting the GM's time behind you waiting to make their selection. Let's try and be courteous to the other 19 GM's who are your fellow comrades in this league.
To sum it up?
7. Have a list. Check in a lot. Answer messages ASAP. Make trade inquiries and have them figured out before your turn. Use your phone. Make your selections as soon as possible when its your turn and you're on the site.
Now I know there are GM's who totally get this and I'm sorry if this sounds obvious. Thank you. This is the culture I'd like to create here, GM's thinking of others, basic courtesy, etc. When I ask everyone to check in as much as possible, I realize it's a commitment and it's huge. Peoples' time is valuable and I don't want to waste it. Being efficient and keeping things moving means we let everyone off the hook as soon as possible, and everyone can get back to enjoying summer and the offseason.
1. Have your selections ready BEFORE the draft, or at least before your turn.
Have a list. A BIG list. There's 140 selections in total in our draft from an actual NHL draft that's 210 spots-ish long. Having a large list guarantees you'll always have somebody left to choose from. Whether you compile your list before the draft or piecemeal is up to you, but having multiple selections ready to go before your turn in case the #1 guy you want is picked before your selection and you gotta take #2 or #3 won't leave you pooched.
If you're having problems identifying prospects? There's tons of sites dedicated to profiling draft selections. Dobber, McKeens, etc. They're huge.
2. Figure out trades BEFORE your turns comes up
When you watch the NHL draft, teams have almost all of their moves lined up prior to their pick. Doesn't mean they'll happen, but they're ready to go if they do. I'm asking each GM to try and do the same. Sure, maybe it takes a little bit of time in the present moment or some further negotiation if that guy you want is still available and you're trying to move up to acquire that selection. But try not to start the conversation at that point. You should have already made inquiries to availability, what they're looking for, etc before then.
3. Check in.
Every GM at the bare minimum should be checking at least 3 times a day(assuming you have a "average" 8 hour workshift on a normal day). Once in the morning, once after work, once before bed. Or however that looks for you. But checking in more than that and as many times as possible ensures the draft keeps moving and everyone can get back to summer as soon as possible.
4. Communicate.
I've seen GM's login and say, "Sorry guys, just heading home, will pick when I get there." "Sorry guys, just waiting to hear from somebody on an offer." Letting everyone know what's happening is courteous and appreciated. Also, answer every private message as soon as possible. Not answering PM's is bad and not tolerated at draft time. As in zero tolerance. Very, very bad.
And be clear when you answer messages. Let the other guy know exactly what you're looking for. It leads to a lot less back and forth messages.
5. Use technology.
Far as I can tell, everyone has a phone here. Or a very large majority. If you're away or have a break at work, check it. Proboards has a pretty good app you can use. Or just use your standard mobile browser to use the site. I have my draft list in an Excel document on Google Drive. So I can access my list from my phone if I need to and make a selection when I'm away from my computer. Those GM's with a data plan can use their phones to receive notifications when their selection is up.
6. This one's huge. The time granted for your pick is NOT for you to do research. Do that BEFORE your selection.
I can't stress this one enough. The 18/12 hour period for each GM's turn is for life. Business, work, family, recreation, etc. Summer's awesome and enjoying it is key. But once you login into the site, make your selection so the draft can move along. If it's your turn(and barring any PM's you have to answer), it shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes to make your selection. If you have 2 or 3 selections in a row, make them all at once. You won't even have to think about it because of your giant list.
If you're on the site, its your turn, and you start doing research on who you want to select?
You're wasting the GM's time behind you waiting to make their selection. Let's try and be courteous to the other 19 GM's who are your fellow comrades in this league.
To sum it up?
7. Have a list. Check in a lot. Answer messages ASAP. Make trade inquiries and have them figured out before your turn. Use your phone. Make your selections as soon as possible when its your turn and you're on the site.
Now I know there are GM's who totally get this and I'm sorry if this sounds obvious. Thank you. This is the culture I'd like to create here, GM's thinking of others, basic courtesy, etc. When I ask everyone to check in as much as possible, I realize it's a commitment and it's huge. Peoples' time is valuable and I don't want to waste it. Being efficient and keeping things moving means we let everyone off the hook as soon as possible, and everyone can get back to enjoying summer and the offseason.