Participation

If for personal reasons you need sometime away from the game, or aren't as available as normal, let us know. We don't need to know the reasons...but we do need to know that you will not be around as much. If you simply vanish on us - we will have no choice but to assign the team to another GM.

Other participation activities may include, posting reports on the message board, voting on the various issues and events throughout the year and reading your email and posts from other GMs. Sometimes, we will ask for your opinions on specific issues in the league. We look forward to using your opinion in our decision making process. Our posts and emails are written for you and contain information which we feel will help you depending on the current time of year and what is going on at that time. We encourage you to read and save this information.

We look forward to any ideas, suggestions and comments that you may have on the league. We sometimes use these to make changes to the league and better it for everyone.

Tutoring will be available for new GM's. The league will appoint a willing person from an opposite division who will teach and monitor the newcomer until both the GM's and the league feel the need for such action has expired.

This is a game to be enjoyed. If you do not play the game the way it is intended, then you should not be a part of the game.

Above all else GMs should also treat each other with respect. Friendly banter and ribbing is part of the game but personal attacks, name-calling and fighting will not be tolerated

Salary Cap Rules

The base Salary Cap is 75 Million Dollars for the CPHL (NHL) Team and 3 Million Dollars for the CPHL Farm (AHL) Team.

Teams must stay under the salary cap at all times. In the case a team exceeds the salary cap, that team will be fined 100,000 a day after the 48hour grace period (or put another way - after a 3rd watchdog warning is issued). This will be applied to the salary cap. If the situation is not resolved the team will be fined a draft pick for each following day, starting with the 5th rounder, and moving on to 4th rounder and so on. If a team does not have a 5th rounder they will be fined their highest draft pick.

Manage your cap carefully. Don't put yourself in the situation of having to waive a player or sign a player to meet your cap needs as it may not happen quick enough to avoid fines. This is a game, and as such, everyone plays on a level field. GMs that are fined repeatedly will be relieved of their teams.

During the off-season GMs, may exceed the cap and roster limits, but it does impact what they can and can't do.

For the off-season teams will allowed to be in violation of their cap and rosters until the start of the pre-season. Teams are encouraged to keep a close eye on their situation though. Once the deadline hits there will be no grace period allowed, if you are over cap or in violation of roster sizes once the pre-season starts, stiff penalties will be assigned and/or the GM released.

If you are over the cap during the off-season:
-You may NOT re-sign any of you current UFAs
-You may NOT re-sign any regular UFAs that are currently in the league
-You MAY sign players that you request to be added to the league
-You MAY re-sign your RFAs

Any roster moves (specifically player releases, see below for buyout info) made after a team plays its final game of the season (for non playoff teams this will be their final regular season game, for playoff teams, this will be the game that eliminates them), will impact their salary cap for the next season, based on the rolled over contract amout.

The Cheese Rule

Salary cap may be traded as part of any transactions. However, there will be limitations on this. The Cheese Rule stats that each team has a maximum of $18,000,000 per team in trade limits. In other words, teams can trade up + or - $18,000,000 in cap space during one season. Each team has a feature on their page that shows how close they are to the upper or lower limit at any one time.

Contracts

There is a limit of 10 million dollars on any one player.

There is also a limit of 3 years on the length of any contract.

No Trade Clauses have been eliminated from the game and no further NTCs will be granted. Legacy NTCs will be honoured however the GM can remove it at anytime by adding 1 million dollars to each remaining year of the player�s contract.

E.g. if Marian Hossa currently has a contract with a NTC for 3 years @ 8.0/season, this can be removed by converting the contract to 3 years @ 9.0/season. GMs wishing to do this should email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . This can be done at any time.

When any free agent player is signed they are placed on a team's CPHL roster. You cannot sign a player to a AHL deal or ECHL deal and have them placed immediately on those teams. The lone exception to this are ECHL players you choose to sign, which are placed on your AHL squad. Moreover, the only players on your ECHL team are those you have drafted.

Required Players

CPHL (NHL) Team Roster

The maximum amount of players on your CPHL (NHL) Team roster is not to exceed 25. At all times teams will carry at least 12 forwards, 6 defensemen, and 2 goaltenders. There will be 5 spots allowed on the roster for shuffling guys in and out on a weekly basis (see Editing Lines), or to fill in roster spots in case of injury. All 25 guys will count against your salary cap as well.

RULE CLARIFICATION: Each player must be assigned a single position for use in the sim. You may send in a position request with proof they can play elsewhere but a player can only play one position at one time. For instance a player cannot play RW on the PK and D on the PP.

CPHL Farm Team Roster

The maximum amount of players on your CPHL (AHL) Team roster is not to exceed 24. Standard player salaries for Farm team players is 10% of the CPHL salary, (eg $1,000,000 in the CPHL is $100,000 in the AHL)., if they are on a one way deal. Some players do have different AHL percentages as part of legacy contracts negotiated when the league had agents.

The farm team is to be stocked just as the CPHL (NHL) team is. At all times your farm team is to have 12 forwards, 6 defensemen, and 2 goaltenders on the roster. These players can be called up at any time during the season but there will have to be a spot open for them at the position they play. Meaning you cannot drop to 11 forwards on the NHL level to call up a defenceman. The farm team will also be limited by a salary cap. No farm team can exceed 2 Million dollars at any time, and should this occur, the offending team gets penalized at the CPHL (NHL) LEVEL, the same way it would if the violation was at the NHL level.

The maximum number of ECHL players is 15. There is no minimum requirement for ECHL roster.

Teams must stay at or below roster limits at all times. If they are in violation of roster limits they will be fined as per the salary cap fine system outlined above.

Coaches

New rule - May 2006

Teams must select and have a Coach for all CPHL teams. These coaches must be NHL, AHL or Minor League Coaches. Fictitious coaches not allowed. League Head Office has sole discretion as to whether or not a coach is considered valid in the CPHL. The League HO also sets the initial ratings and contracts for new hires...neither of which will be known to the GM when they hire them.

Coaches will earn a Minimum of $100,000 and a Maximum of $1,000,000 in salary and will have their salaries as part of the CPHL Team Cap. Salaries will be set by CPHL HO and will be based on experience, record and perceived abilities as a coach relative to their peers.

Coaches already assigned to a team may be re-signed based the following guideline:

25% raise for a 1 year extension
20% raise for a 2 year extension
15% raise for a 3 year extension

Teams may re-sign their coaches in the off-season by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Coaches may be fired at anytime, however the team will be fined for the entire amount of the remaining contract for that coach.

For instance if the Wild have Jacque Martin as their coach and he has a contract of 3 years @ 500K. The Wild would be fined a buyout amount of 1.5 million for the rest of the contract.

Trading

All trades must be submitted to the CPHL by both GM's via form on the Team Roster page. Both GMs must agree on exactly what futures means, if included, and spell it out in the trade form. This would include, players, money or picks. Futures cannot be exchanged once the regular season is completed. We want to protect the integrity of the CPHL, and as such we have implemented a "trade watch". Should any one particular team start to show a tendency of deliberately destroying their team with one-sided deals, the CPHL will step in and stop the process. The offending GM will be questioned and without satisfactory response, he will likely be fired on the spot. If you do not wish to participate any longer, just let the CPHL know and we will have you replaced. No need to try and derail a particular team as it will make it more difficult to find someone willing to take over a team that has been decimated by bad deals. We simply will not allow it. No team will be allowed to trade for or give up more than $18,000,000 in Cap room during any one season (See the Cheese rule above)

If you are including a special clause in any deal, be VERY specific about what that clause means, and what happens if certain things happen. For instance, if the clause involves a player or players, what happens if that player is traded? Think about it and include what happens in the clause. The more specific you are the better you were protect yourself and ensure both GMs fully understand what is agreed too.

Ultimately the league can only enforce the clauses as they read, we can't make any assumptions, so make sure you are 100% happy with the wording.

The trade deadline will generally follow the NHL.

Unrestricted Free Agents

Players become a UFA when they are 29 years of age or older.

All players acquired during a UFA season must be bought out if they retire during that season. If it is a multi year deal the player can be released outright (if they retire) after the first year of that contract is complete.

Under our new system GMs will have the option to re-sign ANY of their UFAs based on a set amount as established by the players OVR set after off-season re-rates. The preliminary guideline for these amounts is as follows (Please note, this guide MAY change after the off-season re-rates are complete):

UFA GRID

***NEW RULE

Once the season begins any UFA listed on the site can be signed by teams. Teams may also request players added to the player list so they can be signed. These requests should be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

In both situations the players are signed outside of the bid system according to the following options:

1 year: 1.0/season
2 year: 875K/season
3 year: 750K/season

In all cases the AHL contract is set at 10%

In some special circumstances the league will apply the bid system for a free agent during the season. This will be used for rare situations where a high profile player worth far above the amounts above becomes unexpectedly available (e.g. the player un-retires (see Jeremy Roenick))

Restricted Free Agents

All players with an expiring contract and under the UFA age of 29, will require a new contract.

GMs have the option of re-signing any of their RFAs to one of the three grid amounts for that rating (1 year, 2 year, or 3 years).

All RFA deals will 2 way at 10% instead of the 1 way UFA deals. Any player not signed to an RFA grid amount - automatically becomes a UFA with no matching rights retained.

For players 69 or lower (including prospects after their first 3 year deal expires) the players will be re-signed on the basis of a percentage raise.

The other difference between RFAs and UFAs is teams do NOT need cap space in the off-season to re-sign their RFAs as opposed to UFAs where you do need the space.

This rule change means the old RFA offer sheet system has been eliminated. Teams now either re-sign their guys for the RFA amount or let them walk and become UFAs.

The RFA re-signing period (To be announced) will start AND complete before the start of UFA free-agency.

RFAs will be re-signed prior to UFA free-agency starting.

The grid is as follows:

Waiving Players

As we endevour to keep the CPHL as easy as possible for everyone to enjoy, the waiver rules will be a bit different than that of the NHL. Players who are age 23 and under as of June 30 are waiver ineligible. Any player that is 24 and up as of that date will have to pass waivers each and every time he is sent down to the AHL farm club, unless on a one way contract. There will be a 48 hour period where teams may claim any player and add them to their roster. Any player who is chosen off the waiver wire must remain on the NHL club he is chosen by for the remainder of that season. The only way to remove the player at that point is via trade or buy-out. Waiver order will be determined by using the worst team (by points) in the CPHL to the best team (by points). If a player is claimed via waivers, the team claiming a player will move to the bottom of the list for the next waiver claims.

If a player is waived, the team waiving said player can not reacquire the player via trade or any other means for one calendar year.

Any player waived to the AHL with an OV of 64 or greater, who is 23 or younger, must clear waivers upon re-entry to the CPHL. GMs will be givena deadline to get any player re-rated to 64 or above on their CPHL team. For goalies the cut-off is 74.

If you miss this window by even 1 minute your player will be subject to CPHL re-entry waivers

A player who is in the process of being waived, CANNOT be traded until they have cleared waivers.

During the post-season if a player is waived they can only be claimed by teams eliminated from the playoffs, but they MUST have the cap-space to claim a player.

Entry Draft

The CPHL draft occurs about 1 week before the NHL draft. GMs are expected to do their homework and be ready with their picks in order to have a speedy draft. If GMs can attend the draft they must provide a list to a fellow GM for selections. If this is not done, they will lose their picks.

1st round picks - 3 minutes MAX to select your player
2nd round picks - 2 minutes MAX each to select your player
3rd- 5th round picks - 1 minute MAX each to select your player.

When selecting your player provide the name, position and what number he was selected at in the NHL draft so we can all scratch them off our list. If you select an ineligible player and it is not noticed, you will lose that pick. GMs MUST be aware of who has been picked and who is remaining.

NHL re-entries are not available in the CPHL.

IF there is a trade...ONE of the GMs MUST get to the Commissioner VIA MSN Messenger to let them know. The Commissioner will then post that a trade has happened...let all know what it is...and restart the clock for the new GM to select.

NEW FOR 2011 DRAFT
Following the NHL draft any player taken in the NHL draft NOT taken in the CPHL draft becomes a free agent. Any team can make an offer at a set day which will be announced by the league. Best offer wins.

Releasing Players (Buyouts)

Retiring Players

If a player retires in the NHL he retires at the same time in the CPHL. No buyout is required for retired players UNLESS acquired via UFA in the same season.

A player is deemed retired when its listed via the NHL.com site or when articles in any newspaper state the player quoting the same. Any player who has played in Europe for 3 years or more as shown on hockeydB is retired and must be bought out.

If a player retire at the end of their NHL season, they will be allowed to complete their CPHL season. If they retire before their season they are done now.

For example.

If Gary Roberts announced his retirement tomorrow and stopped playing - he will be retired in the CPHL.

If Gary Roberts announced tomorrow he is retiring at the END of his season - he can complete his CPHL season.

If Gary Roberts season ends in 2 weeks, and he announces his retirement at that point - he can compelte his CPHL season.

Receiving Compensation Draft Picks

There will be no compensation picks for losing UFA players.

Game Simulating

STHS, also known as SimonT Hockey Simulator, is a realistic simulation software that gives the ability to the owner to simulate hockey games or multiple complete seasons of hockey with one or more general manager according to the preferences of the owner of the SimonT Hockey Simulator. The program is designed to meet the needs of several general managers and contains an infinite number of options to integrate a sensational realism in the simulation.

Ratings

All players of a hockey league are rated according to several attributes (checking, discipline, skating, puck handling, passing, scoring, defense, leadership, etc.) and the goalies are rated according to their different attributes (size, agility, hand speed, reaction time, etc.).

Roster Page - Skaters - Full Ratings

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


Roster Page - Goalies - Full Ratings

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

Re-rates for the league are done by the league commish team. This decision was made after extensive reviews of packaged ratings that had serious flaws. We believe we can have the best rated sim league and therefore put the time in to set these ratings.

Complaints regarding re-rates will not be tolerated and will result in the removal of the GM.

New for 2008/2009: GMs may request a re-rate at anytime for players below 60 OVR.

Line Changes

Line changes are a key step in the level of participation that is expected of a CPHL General Manager. Regular line changes are encouraged by the league and are in no way considered a hindrance to anyone's time schedule at Head Office. The league has provided software entitled GM Editor which is downloadable for free from the website. It is easy to use and kept up to date on a daily basis. No line changes will be implemented unless they are completed using the GM Editor. Every team has its own individual password for changing lines with the GM Editor. General Managers will be prompted for this password when saving line changes. This protects each team's lines from any outside sabotage.

Scheduling

The CPHL will follow its own schedule. The CPHL Season is 86 games in length and the Simulator software generates the schedule automatically. Game dates are to be announced at the beginning of each season. Please check the website for the currently scheduled game days. The season will follow the NHL season in length as closely as possible. Exhibition games will be played prior to the start of all League games.

Playoff Bonus Structure

The CPHL will reward General Managers for playoff success. For every playoff round a team wins, the CPHL will add the following:

Ist Round Winners $500,000/team
2nd Round Winners $750,000/team
3rd Round Winners $1,000,000/team
CPHL Cup Champions $2,000,000

Team Bonuses (updated)

Monetary Awards for all teams to aid finances are as follows:

First Team All-Stars $1,000,000/player
Second Team All-Stars $500,000/player
Individual Award Winners $1,000,000/player

Commissioner's Trophy (To team or GM who has succeeded beyond expectations) $2,000,000
Conference Champions $500,000/team (changing to $1,500,000/team starting for 2009/2010)
Division Champions $100,000/team (changing to $1,000,000/team starting for 2009/2010)
NEW FOR 2009/2010: Overall CPHL Regular Season Championship: $2,000,000

- $100,000 for each article that is good enough to be posted on the main page.$100,000 for GM who is most active on the message board posting about his team per month (not frivolous posting...good team reports and injected with humor)
- $150,000 to Players of the Week and $250,000 to Players of the Month
- $50,000/month to the team who has the best personal website/updated and current with applicable CPHL info.
- $50,000/week for GMs most active on MSN discussing trades. This award cannot be given to the same GM more than once per calendar month.

Prospects (ECHL Team)

The maximum number of ECHL prospects for each team is 15. Players on the prospect list will be comprised of players drafted by the GMs in any Entry Draft. Each player on the prospect list will carry a value of $10,000 and the salary total will be counted against the AHL team Salary Cap of $2,000,000. Prospects can be signed to a NHL salary and then are eligible for NHL or AHL rosters. At no time can a player who has an NHL or AHL contract be moved back to the ECHL.

ECHL signing guidelines (updated for 2008/2009 season):

1st Round - Picks 1-10: $1.35 million, Picks 11-20: 1.15 million, Picks 21-30: 1 million

2nd Round - .75 million

3rd Round and beyond: 0.5 million

All Contracts are 3 Years

NEW RULE FOR 2010/2011: - following the NHL draft any player taken in the NHL draft NOT taken in the CPHL draft becomes a free agent. Any team can make an offer at a set day which will be announced by the league. Best offer wins.

Injuries

The CPHL uses the simulator for injuries. Any player day-to-day or more severe is not useable in the sim and MUST be placed on IR. Similarly when a player is not day to day or worse, they cannot be on IR. Hiding players on IR will result in the removal of the GM. It is the GMs responsibility to send in IR movements to the league when required. This is done through a button link on your GM page.

NHL injuries have no baring on CPHL injuries.

Editing Lines

General Managers will submit a complete line-up for their games. (See GM Editor). GMs must use the Editor provided by the CPHL to adjust their rosters. If an NHL player is injured during this time, the player will be ineligible for the games he is injured.

MSN Messenger

General Managers must act properly at all times on Messenger. At NO time are GMs allowed to block the Commissioners for any reason. If it is determined that a Commissioner is blocked, the GM in question will be terminated no questions asked. Swearing, racist comments, or any other comment deemed offensive by the league will also result in termination.

Protests

All protests of rules or any other league direction are to be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Posting protests on the Message Board is unacceptable.

Fining General Managers

GMs will be fined $500,000 for any of these noted transgressions. IF any GM is fined 3 times they will be automatically removed from the game.

	Complaining about Player ratings, re-rates or how they are re-rated.
	Complaining about anything in a degrading or other manner regarding other GMs or the league, on the message board.