DHL Rulebook
1.0 THE DHL RULEBOOK
Revised 07/28/2017
About the DHL
1.1.0 The DHL stands for Dynasty Hockey League. The league is a simulation based league which uses the FHLSim software. We use version 1.5 produced by Batesoft (http://www.fhlsim.com/).
Code of Conduct
1.2.0 All DHL 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 DHL 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.
DHL Management
1.3.0 The DHL is currently headed by a commissioner (John – San Jose).
1.3.1 The DHL also has an executive committee, which are currently as follows:
Forum Administrator: Adrian – LA
Website Administrator: John – San Jose
Salary Cap Enforcement: Chris – Dallas
1.3.2 The DHL also employs the following committees:
Trade Committee
Ratings Committee
Compliance Committee
Commissioner’s Discretion
1.4.0 The Commissioner has the power to re-define or otherwise alter a league rule where he considers it just and practicable to do so, and to add new rules at any time when necessary.
1.4.1 The Commissioner has the power to ignore or refuse to enforce a league rule where he deems the application would have extreme, unfair or prejudicial effect.
1.4.2 The use of this discretion must be exercised reasonably and sparingly. Deference should normally be given to the rule book, league procedures, and manager expectations.
2.0 General Managers
Duties
2.1.0 As a General Manager in the DHL 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 above the salary floor and below the salary cap
· Keeping within the roster limitations
· Participating in the Entry draft and Free Agent process
· Actively participating in message board discussions
· Responding to emails and PM’s in a prompt fashion
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 DHL but the DHL community is a must. 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, and as necessary.
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
f) Participate on the forums
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 DHL dollars.
2.3.1 All dollar figures in this rulebook refer to in DHL funds. The DHL is a non-cash league.
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 GMs that regularly write articles about the league or their team are eligible for Participation Rewards.
2.3.5 A GM who participates in league duties may be rewarded pursuant to the rules and guidelines established in this section.
2.3.6 GM Participation rewards will be awarded at the conclusion of a 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 Commissioner reserves 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 behaviour is ultimately left to the discretion of the Commissioner or his delegates.
2.5.0(c) Sanctions include, but are not limited to, fines, the forfeiture of draft picks, suspension, or dismissal.
Mentorship
2.6.0 A new GM will need a volunteer mentor for at least one whole DHL season and both parties will be notified by the commissioner upon completion.
2.6.1 The GM and his mentor will not be allowed to trade with each other under any circumstances until the mentorship period is over.
2.6.2 All trades made during the mentorship period require mentor approval prior to posting. UFA bids may also require mentor approval if deemed necessary by the league.
3.0 FHL Sim
FHL Version
3.1 The version currently being used is version 1.5.
GM Editor
3.2 We recommend using version 1.5 beta 1. Instructions will be provided on the use of
the GM Editor.
Attributes Definitions
3.3.0 Player performance is based on their ratings in a variety of skills.
3.3.1 For All Players:
PO – Position – Indicates the position the player plays.
HD – Stick Hand – Indicates skater’s stick hand or goalie’s glove hand
CD – Condition – How healthy the player is. “OK” indicates 100%.
IJ – Injury – How long the player is injured for.
EX – Experience – The amount of experience the player has.
LD – Leadership – The player’s leadership skills.
OV – Overall – The player’s overall effectiveness.
3.3.2 Skaters:
IT – Intensity – Hitting, fore checking and fighting.
SP – Speed – This indicates the player’s skating speed.
ST – Strength – Indicates the player’s strength and power.
EN – Endurance – Ability to play long, more productive shifts.
DU – Durability – The player’s tendency to get injured.
DI – Discipline – The player’s tendency to get penalized.
SK – Skating – Player’s ability to stop, turn, accelerate and skate.
PA – Passing – The player’s ability to pass the puck.
PC – Puck Control – The player’s ability to control the puck.
DF – Defence – Ability to back check and play defence.
SC – Scoring – Player’s shooting and goal scoring ability.
3.3.3 Goaltenders:
IT – Player’s likeliness to play the puck and cut down the angles.
SP – Player’s overall speed. Glove quickness and reaction ability.
ST – Size in goal. A bigger goalie can take up more of the net.
EN – Same as above.
DU – Save as above.
DI – Save as above.
SK – Ability to move around in his crease, side to side movement.
PA – Ability to play the puck out to the forwards.
PC – How well the player controls rebounds and gathers the puck
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.
3.4 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 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 8PM ET/5PM PT. Lines must be received by the commissioner by 7PM ET/4PM 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.
4.1.5 Where warranted due to schedule delay or any other reason, the league may sim multiple games per day.
Trade Processing
4.2.0 All trades are processed after games are simulated.
4.2.1 Trades must be posted on the message board by both GMs by 8PM ET/5PM PT to be processed that day.
Rest Days
4.3.0 There will be 1 rest day per sim day during the season and in the playoffs. A rest day is a day for your players to rest and recuperate.
4.3.1 Before the playoffs and between each round, 2 extra rest day will be simulated.
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 All-Star activities are on hold pending re-structuring.
Trade Deadline
4.6.0 The trade deadline will be at approximately 75% 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.
4.7.3 All playoff teams will receive a playoff bonus of $5 million dollars for making the playoffs.
4.7.4(a) The 9th place team in the conference’s official final standings will receive a competition bonus of $3 million dollars.
4.7.4(b) The 10th place team in the conference’s official final standings will receive a competition bonus of $2 million dollars.
Position Changes
4.8.0 Position Changes are to be posted in the appropriate thread in the forum.
4.8.1 A reputable NHL source is required to change forward positions
4.8.2 Given proof, if a player has played a position in the DHL in the past, they will be allowed to play that position in the present
4.8.3 For the case of a player that is both F and D eligible: In a full season re-rate, the player’s re-rate will be based on his NHL.com position at the end of the season. In a 50/50 re-rate season, if a player’s NHL.com position changes, he’ll be rated solely based on the 2nd half of the ratings. Therefore, the player’s DHL position will be based solely on his NHL.com position and there won’t be any option to switch for the GM.
4.8.4 A Position Change request posted before 8 PM EST will be made prior to that evening’s sims. Make sure lines reflect the player’s new position.
5.0 Off-season
5.1 The DHL has 2 seasons each calendar year.
5.1(a) The term “season” and “year” are often used interchangeably. They refer to 1 DHL season, which usually run about 6 months. For elements that refer to calendar years, the term “calendar year” will be used.
5.1(b) The DHL seasons are numbered consecutively. August 2007 saw the commencement of DHL season 4. DHL season 5 is expected to commence in late February or Early March 2008. For clarification purposes, DHL seasons are sometimes referred to as “Fall” and “Spring” season.
5.2 Each new season is considered to begin with the Entry Draft (based on last-season’s
regular season standings). See 5.3 Entry Draft for more information.
5.3 Players will re-rate fully during even-numbered (fall) seasons, and partially during
odd-numbered (spring) seasons. See 6.9 for more information.
5.4 As of Fall 2007, the previous seasons have been re-named. Season 1 (formerly Y2) is the season where the Stanley Cup was won by the NY Islanders. Season 2 (formerly Y3) saw the Cup won by the Carolina Hurricanes. Season 3 (formerly Y4) saw the Cup won by the Los Angeles Kings. This entry is being written at the start of Season 4 (which saw Patrick Kane selected as the 1st overall in the entry draft).
Awards
5.1.1 The league will honour 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 DHL 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 Conn Smythe (Playoff MVP), the Hart (player judged to be most valuable to his team), the Epic Fail and finally the DHL 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) The Awards Executive will have final say on the 3 finalists for each trophy. This discretion is subject to approval by the Commissioner only in the event of a patently unreasonable submission.
5.1.3(c) GMs are encouraged to send in submissions for nomination, along with a brief write up, to the Awards Executive to aid him in his decision-making.
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 Retired players will be removed from the league when they no longer have ratings.
5.2.2 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 into a team’s prospect list. Should any such player return to the NHL, they will be recreated according to league guidelines.
5.2.3(a) Once a player is re-created, they will be able to play out the remainder of their contract with the DHL team that owns their rights.
5.2.3(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.
5.2.3(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.
5.2.3(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.
5.2.3(e) No team shall be required to submit a qualifying offer in order to retain the rights of a retired Restricted Free Agent.
Entry Draft
5.3.0 The season will be considered to start with the commencement of the DHL Entry Draft.
Draft Structure
5.3.1 Each Entry draft will consist of 3 rounds.
5.3.2(a) Each DHL Entry Draft will correspond to an NHL Entry Draft. DHL Seasons 4 and 5 correspond to NHL 2007 Entry draft. DHL Seasons 6 and 7 will correspond to the NHL 2008 Entry Draft and so on.
5.3.2(b) The players eligible for selection in each DHL entry draft will be players selected in that draft, and any other eligible player (see below).
5.3.3 The DHL Entry drafts will see the NHL Entry drafts divided into odd picks and even picks. DHL Season 4’s draft saw the following players selected: Patrick Kane (1st overall in NHL in 2007), Kyle Turris (3rd overall in NHL in 2007), and so forth. DHL Season 5’s draft will see the following players eligible: James Van Riemsdyk (2nd overall in 2007), Thomas Hickey (4th overall in 2007), and so forth.
Draft Eligibility
5.3.4 A player is eligible for selection in the DHL entry draft if no DHL 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 was undrafted and has forgone his future draft rights by signing a player contract with an NHL team prior to the start of the DHL draft.
5.3.5 Undrafted players with a DHL age of 29 or older qualify for DHL Unrestricted Free Agency status provided they can be created according to our creation guidelines. Any player with a DHL age of 29 or older is not eligible to be drafted in the DHL.
Entry Draft
Draft Procedure
5.3.6 The DHL entry draft will be held following the completion of a DHL season and before the Free Agency signing period.
5.3.7 The DHL entry draft will be conducted on the forum.
Draft Participation
5.3.8 GM who does not participate the draft or send a list by which the league will pick for him is subject to disciplinary action by the DHL, including dismissal.
Draft Lottery
5.3.9(a) The first 4 picks in the first round of the DHL 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 DHL standings.
5.3.9(d) The remaining rounds of the DHL entry draft will be ordered from 1 to 28 in regards to final DHL standings.
5.3.10 The draft lottery will be conducted using random numbers and a random number generator.
5.3.11 A team’s chance of winning the Entry Draft lottery will be commensurate with their final standing during the DHL regular season. These chances are as follows:
28th-24%
27th-20%
26th-16%
25th-12%
24th- 9%
23rd- 6%
22nd- 4%
21st- 3%
20th- 2%
19th- 2%
18th- 1%
17th- 1%
Free Agency
Definitions
5.4.1(a) A player who is under the age of 29 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 29 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 Players must be signed based on the tables and formulas below. The cost to sign a
player to each contract (1-4 seasons) will be provided for the GM in a spreadsheet before
the beginning of RFA. The GMs will simply have to state whether they are going to sign
the player and to how many years they wish to sign him.
Table A (Salary Table)
OV Salary
86 6900000
85 6900000
84 6900000
83 6900000
82 6200000
81 5600000
80 5100000
79 4600000
78 4100000
77 3650000
76 3200000
75 2750000
74 2350000
73 2000000
72 1650000
71 1300000
70 1050000
69 800000
68 600000
67 500000
66 400000
65- 300000
Table B1 (RFA Contract Duration Table)
Players Under 29: Add 5% for each contract year
1 year contract : 105%
2 year contract : 110%
3 year contract : 115%
4 year contract : 120%
Table B2 (UFA Contract Duration Table)
Players 29 and over: Subtract 5% for each contract year
1 year contract : 100%
2 year contract : 95%
3 year contract : 90%
4 year contract : 85%
5.4.3 To determine a player’s new salary under the contract, their current salary will be added to the corresponding figure on Table A, and divided by two, to get Figure A. Figure A is then subject to a percentage increase provided by either Table B1 or B2, as determined by the desired number of contract years. Salary is then rounded to make it easier for everyone.
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 but prior to the UFA period.
5.4.6 Teams will only be allowed to bid on their own RFAs.
5.4.7 Upon signing an RFA, in addition to the salary, a team must pay a signing bonus to the player. This bonus is determined by the player’s OV rating as illustrated by Table C.
Table C (figures are per each contract year)
80+ 500k
77-79 250k
74-76 125k
70-73 50k
69- 25k
5.4.8 Signing bonuses are paid in full up front, and do not count against the Salary Cap.
5.4.9 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. 5.4.7, is the minimum offer required by a team to retain that player’s rights, hereafter referred to as a Qualifying Offer.
5.4.10 If a team makes a qualifying offer but cannot pay the signing bonus, they retain the rights to that player but that player will holdout and be ineligible to play until his signing bonus is paid.
5.4.11 A player that does not receive a qualifying offer from his team during the RFA period immediately becomes a group 2 UFA.
5.4.12 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.
Unrestricted Free Agency
5.4.15 The UFA bidding period will commence following the RFA period.
5.4.16 UFA salary will be determined by Table A based on the player’s OV when the contract is signed.
5.4.17 UFA bidding on each player will consist of two closed bidding sessions. Notwithstanding s.5.4.14, GMs will bid on what signing bonus they are willing to offer the player.
a) During the initial round, GMs will submit their offers to the league via email.
b) At the conclusion of the initial round, the highest bid will be made known and the second round will commence.
c) Only the team that made the highest bid, any teams that made bids that were within 25% or 500k (after multiplier explained in 5.4.17 d) of the highest bid, and the team that previously held the UFA’s contract are eligible to bid in the second round.
d) The strength of a bid is determined by the signing bonus with different weights depending on the number of contract years offered. The total signing bonuses will be divided following this table:
1 yr – 1.0
2 yrs – 1.8
3 yrs – 2.4
4 yrs – 2.8
Ex: A 1 yr-10M deal is equal to a 2 yrs-18M or 3 yrs-24M or 4 yrs-28M deal.
e) At the conclusion of the second round, the highest signing bonus per year wins the player. In the event of a tie, the length of the contract offered will be the first tiebreak and the original owner of the player determines the second tiebreak. If further needed, the tied teams 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.
f) The entirety of a signing bonus is to be paid up front.
g) A team tendering a bid on a UFA in the first round may not reduce the signing bonus per year amount during the second round of bidding.
h) Each year, a team may designate one of its UFA’s as a ‘franchise player’. Once designated, the team will see their second round bid on the franchised player increased by 33% for the purposes of determining the highest bid.
i) The minimum signing bonus a team must offer a UFA is $100,000 /Contract year.
j) If no team makes a bid on a UFA, the holder of the original rights may resign that player by offering a signing bonus as determined by Table C.
5.4.18 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 signed to $300,000/season contracts with the signing team choosing the length of the contract up to 4 seasons. The fee to sign these players is $100,000/season.
These players are given out on a first come, first serve basis immediately after the UFA period and up until the end of the regular season.
5.4.19 UFA bidding will be done in waves. Players will be split up on different days by position and overall rating.
5.4.20 All unassigned players and players not previously signed will be included in the last wave of UFA in a 1 round process.
5.4.21 No team can bid at any one time more money than they have in their DHL funds.
6.0 Players
Player Contracts & Prospects
6.1.0 Player contracts are to be a maximum of 4 seasons in duration.
6.1.1 Prospects are players without contracts who have been drafted by a DHL 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 for an entire NHL season.
6.1.3(a) A previously unsigned prospect is signed to a 4-year deal once he is signed by his team. The team will be given the option of signing a prospect for fewer than 4 years.
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)
OV Salary
70+ 1000000
69 800000
68 600000
67 500000
66 400000
65- 300000
6.1.4(a) Prospects will be rated on (SP, SK, DF) by the DHL 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 (1 for goalies) may be signed based on his NHL stats until that point, but will be created as though he has played 25 NHL games.
6.1.4(c) Prospects will be automatically created in full season re-rate seasons as long as they have played 25 games (15 for goalies). GM’s will still be given the option to create additional prospects that have played the minimum 5 games (1 for goalies) and they will be rated based on rule 6.1.4(b). Auto creation of prospects does not occur during partial re-rate seasons.
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 Any player who goes an entire NHL season without playing in the NHL, will be delisted and moved to a team’s prospect list. Upon returning to the league and receiving ratings, their contract will continue where it left off. Should that player return at UFA age and have no term left on his previous contract, he will be a UFA.
6.1.7 Prospects may only be created during the off-season.
6.1.8 No team may have more than 100 prospects at any given time due to limitations with the FHL software.
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 A GM will be required to resubmit lines following an injury.
Suspensions
6.3.0 FHL 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 DHL charity of the player’s choice).
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 $300,000 per season.
6.4.6 The cumulative salaries of the players on the active-pro roster may never exceed the maximum cap value (currently $40,000,000), or go lower than the salary floor (currently $20,000,000).
Position Changes
6.5.0(a) Subject to 6.5.0(d), a player’s 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. They will be done prior to the night’s sims. Please specify if you have another preference.
6.5.0(c) The position change should be a player’s 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. If the sources are less reputable, two must be given. Discretion will be given to the commissioner.
6.5.0(d) Players that have played both D and F will play and be rated according to what their position is on NHL.com and changes can only occur before full re-rate seasons.
6.5.0(e) A player designated as a forward pursuant to 6.5.0(d) may still change Forward positions (LW, RW, C) where applicable.
6.5.0(f) Given proof, if a player has played a position in the DHL in the past, they will be allowed to play that position in the present.
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 1 hour prior to the sim (or 7 PM EST) and be accompanied by line changes in order to take effect for that day’s sims.
Aging
6.6.0 All players age 1 calendar year every 2 DHL seasons, at the start of the even-numbered seasons.
Waivers
6.7.0(a) Any player 25 yrs of age or older on the farm is eligible to be claimed on waivers by any other team.
6.7.0(b) Any skater 70 OV or higher and any goaltender 75 OV or higher on the farm is eligible to be claimed on waivers by any other team regardless of his age.
6.7.1 When a player is claimed on waivers, the team claiming the player will pay a waiver fee of $500,000 to the team who previously owned the player.
6.7.2(a) When a waiver-eligible player is first sent to the minors, there will be a period of time (48 hours) in which teams can place a claim on him. Claims should be emailed to dynastycommish@hotmail.com within this time period.
6.7.2(b) Waiver-eligibility order will be determined by the standings in the current DHL season. Of all teams that make a claim, the team currently with the lowest number of points has priority. If there is a tie, the team with the fewest wins will take priority. If teams with the same number of points and wins make a claim, the team that first made the claim will take priority. The first waiver period of the season will be based on the previous season’s standings.
6.7.2(c) Waiver claims should be submitted in order of preference. After a successful claim, the team will go to the back of the line during the same waiver period.
6.7.2(d) Following the initial 48 hour period, any waiver-eligible player can be claimed on a first-come, first served basis.
6.7.3 The period of waiver eligibility runs from the first day of the regular season regardless of whether that player’s team has played or not until 2 sim days following the trade deadline.
6.7.4 Waiver claims should be emailed to the commissioner when within the 48 hour period. After time, it’s first come, first come and GM’s should post their claims on the forum.
6.7.5 Once a player has been newly waived, he cannot be traded until the 48 hour waiver period has elapsed.
Coaches
6.8.0 The DHL does not use coaches.
Ratings/Re-rates
6.9.0(a) Player ratings will be based on a player’s NHL performance in the last and/or current NHL season, depending on which DHL season we are in.
6.9.0(b) For purposes of this section, we distinguish between goalies and “skaters” (non-goalie players). “Player” refers to both categories.
Full Re-rates
6.9.1(a) Prior to each even-numbered season, players will re-rate based on their statistics from the most-recent (and fully completed) NHL season.
6.9.1(b) Each skater that has played 25 or more games will receive ratings based on his prorated stats for 82 games.
6.9.2 Any skater 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 skater with 3 goals and 5 assists in 15 games will be rated the same as a skater with 3 goals and 5 assists in 25 games).
6.9.3 Skaters who do not play at least 5 NHL games during the previous season will be moved to that team’s prospects list. If a skater doesn’t currently belong to a team, he will not be created if he has under 5 NHL games played.
6.9.4 Skater ratings will be based solely on stats except for SP, SK and DF which will be Determined either by the ratings committee, or by a formula and then modified by the ratings committee. SP, SK, and DF may be adjusted for players as necessary by the ratings committee prior to each season.
6.9.5 A GM will have the opportunity to challenge two skaters on their SP, SK and DF ratings. Those challenges will be reviews by the ratings committee.
6.9.6 All goalies belonging to a DHL team that have played 5 NHL games will receive new ratings. If a goalie doesn’t currently belong to a DHL team, he will be rated if he has played 1 NHL game.
6.9.7 Player ratings will be based on a player’s NHL performance in the last NHL season.
6.9.8 Skaters (forwards and 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.
6.9.9 The following table explains how each category will be rated for skaters:
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: Mostly Age
Partial Rerates
6.10.0 Prior to odd-numbered seasons, players will re-rate based both on the previous, completed NHL season and the current, in-progress one.
6.10.1(a) All players will re-rate based 50% on the current, in-progress season, and 50% on the previous, completed NHL season. For example, prior to DHL Season 5, which will commence around February 2008, players will re-rate based on both their statistics in the completed 06-07 season, and their statistics in the in-progress 07-08 season, with each being given equal weight.
6.10.1(b) Skaters who do not play in at least 20 games or goalies who do not appear in at least 10 games in the current season by the time partial re-rates are performed will have their stats determined 100% by the previous season.
6.10.1(c) Rookies and other newly created players will have their stats determined 100% by the current season up until the partial re-rate cut-off point, according to player creation guidelines.
6.10.1(d) The partial re-rate cutoff point for NHL statistics will be the half-way mark of the NHL season when every NHL team has played at least 41 games.
6.10.2 Players will not age during Partial Re-rates.
7.0 Team Operations
Trading
7.1.0 Teams in the DHL may trade players, draft picks, money, coaches, and Future Considerations. GMs may trade pledges to act or not act in a certain manner.
7.1.1(a) Future considerations constitute any element of a trade that is not 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 Trades Forum.
Trade Announcements Forum
7.1.1(c) The validity of a future considerations agreement is subject to approval by the league.
7.1.1(d) Teams may not use future considerations to defer payment of money in a trade. Any trade including a future consideration where money is transferred must be at the very minimum subject to a “true condition precedent,” where the condition is based on a truly uncertain event that would modify the value of a trade.
7.1.1(e) For all trades involving money as a future consideration, the money must be paid immediately into a “trust” account, and be paid out to a team following the occurrence of the future consideration.
7.1.2 Teams may only trade picks from the next two upcoming entry drafts. Future Considerations must also contain draft picks from the next two entry drafts.
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.
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(a) Most GMs will be given latitude to run their team as they see fit, however all trades are subject to review and rejection by the Trade Committee.
7.1.5(b) A trade can be reviewed upon request by any member of the league.
7.1.6 There is no limit as to how much money teams can trade within a season, however all trades involving more than $1,000,000 will be scrutinized by the commissioner or the Trade Committee.
Trading Period
7.1.7 The trading periods are outlined in section 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 DHL 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 40 million dollars and a salary floor of 20 million dollars is in place.
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 team’s 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 suspended player’s salary does not count against the cap.
7.2.2(d) A team caught violating the cap will be fined $500,000 per day. Continued violation will result in continued fines and possibly forfeiture of draft picks.
7.2.3 The salary cap will increase to $42 million and the floor decreases to $18 million a week before the trade deadline. This will be announced every season by the commissioner.
Seats and Ticket Prices
7.3.0 Every arena has a base number of seats set at 20,000.
7.3.1 Ticket prices can be changed at any time during the season. Selling tickets is a team’s main source of revenue.
7.3.1(b) Ticket price changes should be posted in the Team Activities forum for processing.
7.3.1(c) Changes to ticket prices must be made at least 1 hour prior to the scheduled sim time in order to be processed for that day’s sim.
7.3.1(d) Ticket prices may be set from $20-60.
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 team’s finances, such as projected balance and committed salaries.
Rosters
7.5.0 Teams must have a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 25 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 A team’s combined farm and pro-roster should never exceed 45. A team exceeding this number will have to trade their players.
Lines
7.6.0(a) All lines should be submitted using the GM Editor.
7.6.0(b) A link will be provided on the main page for online submission.
7.6.0(c) Teams that cannot use the Online Editor to submit lines or the GM editor to create lines, may submit their lines via an email to the commissioner.
7.6.1 Teams must set 4 lines, 3 defence pairings, and power play and penalty kill lines as well as a starting goaltender.
Best Line Rule
7.6.3(a) A GM must submit what he believes are his team’s best lines.
7.6.3(b) Any GM caught using lines that considerably hurt their team’s 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 not be available any longer