I made some mistakes this year. But my only experience as GM prior to this season strictly involved around tanking a rebuilding team. Never have I had a concern about line combinations or managing the salary cap (unless reaching the floor is to be counted).

Yes, I inherited a talented young squad that was basically plug and play. But line combinations had to be done, trades made and keeping an eye on future seasons as well. While my team fell just short of finishing as the top seed, there is plenty I have learned this year and plenty to be happy with.

I learned that skipping UFA is not a smart plan even if bonehead GMs in the league immediately make you regret taking on the 2nd team you said you’d never do. Thankfully, most of the CDNHL GMs have been pretty awesome and I have gained a ton of experience from this last season.

Happy with what, you ask?

3 guys with over 100 points? Check.

Record for most individual points by a forward (127)? Check.

Record for highest +/- (+74)?. Check.

Record for most goals scored during the regular season (346)?. Check.

Tied for most points in the league? Check.

12-3 run after the trade deadline? Check.

Other notable achievements I am probably overlooking? Check.

There are several other teams with comparable talent on their rosters who are not claiming any of these achievements this season. While trading and drafting are probably the two biggest criteria we generally judge a GM’s success by, you also need a GM who stays on top of their lines, injuries and salary and roster management.

It is those latter criteria I believe I did well with being a “rookie” GM all over again. None of those things happen if I am not testing line combinations to see what works best. None of those things work if I put my team on autopilot and check in a few times a month.

I am disappointed to not have finished first. With all the work the Commish did building this team over the years, it would have been nice to get done for him. A slow start before I had figured out my optimal lines and could acquire a few missing pieces (that I should have done in the Summer) likely did me in.

My next goal is to get passed the first round. And who knows, maybe make a bit of a run. And there is always next year!

 

Edit: for those keeping track, this is article 5 of 6 required for max UFA point bonus. I have salary cap space and will be active.