Without sounding like too much of a pompous ass. These are not up for debate, that has already occured at the BOD level. These changes will be implemented for next season. Please plan your teams accordingly.
1. Resigning Players - Due to us not having an OV next year in STHS, the calculator will be adjusted to be based strictly on NHL salary, with the same percentage benefits/penalties for UFA years, and age.
2. Farm Limits - The salary limit for farm players will stay the same at 1.5 million. However with no OV there will be no limit as to an OV that can be stashed in the minors. However, there will be a waiver draft at the end of preseason, in which all players 23 and under are exempt. Teams can protect 18 skaters and 2 goalies who are 24 and over. Even if you protect a guy in the waiver draft who is 24 or older, he WILL have to clear waivers before he can be assigned to the minors.
3. Ratings for the new year will be out probably around the end of our first round of playoffs. At that time we will hold a World Championships (with GMs not in playoffs), using STHS, and based on the new ratings. More information to come, but that will allow GM's a bit of time to start playing with the new sim.
4. We will have an extended preseason next year for the same reason. To allow you to get familiar with your rosters.
5. ELC's - ELC contracts will start to rise and be grandfathered in. For season 4 ELC's the cap will go up to 1.25 million. For season 5 it will go to 1.75 million, and for season 6 it will crest at 2.25 million - ELC's are not necessarily based upon NHL deal, rather will be assigned when they are created by the commishs office based on a perceived FHL value for the 3 year entry level, just like last season. - If you have an issue with the salary assigned, they will be dealt with on a case by case basis. - I did this last year, and i think it went well, no one appealed, and things look good. The raising of the cap simply alters the range in which guys get paid.
