Rule One is THE rule in the NFHL. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS IS A FANTASY LEAGUE - emphasis on "fantasy".
It won't be a fantasy league for someone if you're rude, disrespectful, etc.
IT IS OKAY TO TEASE AND HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOUR - actually, that's encouraged - and the best GMs are those who are able to help "weaker" GMs by helping them.
Please take the attitude that, if we all try to help each other, we're going to get a LOT more out of this hobby of ours.

Before I get to the fun stuff, please bear with me - this needs to be said, if only for my peace of mind;
Please don't think I'm a TOTAL jerk.
This league is my baby, my vision, and...mine. I won't throw my weight around, and I ENCOURAGE opposite points of view.
However, once I rule on something, that's the final word. By way of explanation (since I don't like being a jerk, either), I have a vision for this league.
I'll listen, since I'm not the only one with good ideas, but there will be times that I'll be putting my foot down - as gently as I can.

Please note : Anything missing from these rules, I can (and will) rule on them on the spot - think of me as a referee (but a little more friendly!)

Without you guys, there IS no league, and I understand that - and I'm SO HAPPY to have you guys aboard.
This rule is just to make sure that people keep their focus; someone who's worked hard or been in this league for a while may feel just as passionately about the NFHL as I do, and I LOVE that - so long as it's expressed appropriately...and once.
I don't expect to ever have to use this rule, or even remind anyone - you're a good group of guys, or you wouldn't be here.

Nothing is more frustrating than not hearing back from you. Please return e-mails within a day, two maximum, even if it's just to say "no thanks" or "not interested".
EVEN IF THE OFFER IS IDIOTIC OR YOU DON'T HAVE THE TIME, YOU HAVE TO RESPOND, AND IT HAS TO BE POLITE.
Try to explain "why not" if you don't like it - instead of just "no thanks" - but at a minimum, you HAVE TO respond - it's the rules.

Any GM who tries too hard to "get around" a rule doesn't deserve to be here. The rules are meant to HELP us, not to be exploited and broken. If I feel you've deliberately stretched, broken or "misinterpreted" a rule, I'll impose the same sanctions as if you HAD broken one of my rules.

This one should go without saying, but...No abusive language, and, once a decision is made, that's it, whether it comes from the Commissioner or the newest GM.
NO FLAMING OUT, whether public or private - let's move on and remember it's "just" a fantasy league - even if it IS the best one in the world.
Trades are to be as EVEN AS POSSIBLE - this is not to say that they must be DEAD even. There's no problem trying to get an advantage in a trade, but do NOT try to take UNDUE advantage of a weaker GM.

Each team has a bank account, which rolls over from year to year. Teams may not go below zero balance at any time.
Each team is also given 5 rookie-draft picks (Rounds 1 through 5) and 5 UFA Draft picks (Rounds 1 through 5). Rookie picks may be traded, but free-agent picks may NOT be traded.
Draft rules follow below.
Teams are also allocated a salary cap, which is the same for all teams. Cap room may not be traded, and teams may NOT exceed the cap.
EXCEPTION: If a three-way trade, or two trades submitted to the league office at the exact same time, will briefly put a team over the cap then immediately back down, the trade MAY be allowed at my discretion.

The more games you win, the more money you get.
Your team will also get money from merchandising, a slice of the television pie and attendance at your arena, but those are all affected by your wins anyways, so, if you want more money to spend, then you've GOT TO WIN - simple as that.
There are other ways to gain money; via trade, helping out when I ask for volunteers, etc, and you can also sign a sponsorship agreement with a company to name your arena. Talk to me about that if you're interested.

There are two NFHL Drafts - the Rookie Draft, where you may only draft players who are being carded for the first time, and the UFA (Unrestricted Free Agent) Draft, where teams draft from the list of available free agents.
Both Drafts run five rounds apiece.
You MAY NOT trade Free-Agent picks, but you can trade Rookie Draft picks.

You MAY trade these picks.
Only players getting their FaceOff card for the first time (have never been on an NFHL team) may be selected in the Rookie Draft.
The Rookie Draft is ordered from "worst to first"; in other words, the worst team in the NFHL (least wins) drafts first (unless they trade that pick), all the way down to the Stanley Cup Champion.
It is important to note that playoff teams are ranked in order of elimination from the playoffs; if Team A is eliminated in 4 games in the first round, and Team B is eliminated in 5 games in the first round, then Team A drafts ahead of Team B.

In the event of any ties, the team's regular-season wins will decide the tie. If the teams are still tied, then their head-to-head (who won when they played each other) record will decide things.

All teams shall, at all times, be in posession of a first-round amateur draft pick in all years.
This is so that no team may completely mortgage their future, then quit the league, leaving a new GM with nothing to build from.

Note : A team does not have to be in posession of their own first-round pick; they may trade their pick in order to attain higher or lower draft position, provided that the franchise also acquires a first-round pick in return.

For example : Team A, likely to finish last overall, wishes to trade their first-round pick (which would be #1 overall) to Team B for Player XXX.
TEAM B'S FIRST-ROUND PICK MUST - MUST!!! - BE PART OF THE DEAL COMING BACK TO TEAM "A".
(So, the deal tag would read, "TEAM A #1/09 to MTL for Player XXX and TEAM B #1/09.")

You may NOT trade these picks.
Players whose contracts are expiring to UFA (unrestricted free agent) status may be selected in the UFA Draft.
The UFA Draft is ordered from "first to worst"; the Stanley Cup Champions get first crack at the available UFAs (since that UFA would want to sign where he has the best chance of winning), followed by the team that lost the Cup, etc, etc, all the way down to the team that finished last - in other words, the reverse order of the Rookie Draft.
It's done this way to a) give the worst teams some hope - while giving teams some really good rewards for winning!
It is important to note that playoff teams are ranked in order of elimination from the playoffs; if Team A is eliminated in 4 games in the first round, and Team B is eliminated in 5 games in the first round, then Team A drafts ahead of Team B.

In the event of any ties, the team's regular-season wins will decide the tie. If the teams are still tied, then their head-to-head (who won when they played each other) record will decide things.

For the first time in 2010, it is possible to move up in the UFA Draft. However, it's going to cost you, and there is a STRICT set of rules to follow.

First : You may NOT trade players or Rookie Draft picks for UFA Draft picks - you may only BUY your way up.
Second : You MUST pay a MINIMUM of one million dollars to move up one slot. Want to move up three slots, it'll cost you MINIMUM $3.0m.
Third : You may only move up one spot at a time: You MUST negotiate with the team that drafts one slot ahead of you.

In other words, if you want to move up five slots in the UFA Draft, then you must negotiate with THE FIVE TEAMS AHEAD OF YOU - one at a time.

EXAMPLE;
Let's say that Team A is drafting last (28th), Team B is drafting 27th, Team C is drafting 26th, and Team D is drafting 25th.
If Team A wants to draft 25th, they must first convince Team B to trade picks (for a MINIMUM of one million dollars).
Once they've traded picks with Team B, then Team A can try to convince Team C to swap picks - again, for a minimum of $1.0m.
That means that Team A can't just go right to Team D - gotta go through Team B and Team C first - at a million dollars minimum each.
Teams can ask for more for their pick - they don't have to stop at a million dollars - and they can say "no" if they want.

Confused? Ask me.

Once you've successfully negotiated a trade (congratulations!) without taking advantage of them (thank you - your honesty is appreciated), then you need to have the trade announced.
You do this by having ALL INVOLVED TEAMS send SEPARATE e-mails to commissioner@nfhlhockey.net. All the e-mails must show ALL the details of the trades, or I'll just send 'em right back.
Once I get e-mails from all involved teams (please note : I will NOT chase you or remind you) then I'll announce the trade publically.
TRADES WILL NOT GO IN UNTIL THE NEXT ROUND OF GAMES : if your trade is announced on Wednesday, then you have to wait until Monday/Tuesday's games.
This is to allow the entire league to check things out, and also so that your opponent doesn't have to rush a new strat or lines in between the games.

If a GM wishes to protest a trade, they must send me REASONS. If the reasons are good, IN MY SOLE OPINION, then I will "freeze" the trade and talk to the GMs involved.
If we can't reach a compromise that will keep everyone happy, then, if I feel it necessary, I will bring 2 other senior GMs into the protest, and the 3 of us will render final judgement.
NOTE : IF YOU WANT TO BRING A PROTEST, BE PREPARED FOR ME TO TELL THE TWO TEAMS WHO LAUNCHED THE PROTEST AND WHY. This will eliminate protests made just to slow a rival team down.

Games are played on Mondays/Tuesdays and Thursdays/Fridays.
On Monday & Tuesday, you will play one home game and one away game AGAINST THE SAME OPPONENT.
Then (after skipping Wednesday) your team will play a different opponent twice (home & away, one on Thursday & one on Friday). So, two opponents, four games per week.
That makes stratfiles easy; MAXIMUM, you can send in one set of lines BY MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY and one other set of lines BY MIDNIGHT ON WEDNESDAY - if your lines aren't in the night before, I will not guarantee that your lines make it in.
If you check the "Submit Lines" form (button to the left) you'll find an easy way to send them to me (though I prefer stratfiles, and you can send me fifty strats a week, I don't care. THAT'S easy.)

PLEASE NOTE : I don't do requests. When you send me a stratfile or lines, THEY GO IN THE MOMENT I RECEIVE THEM. Want timings? Send them to me when you want them put in, please.

Currently, the usage rules use a "round-up" methodology;
- If a player played 1 to 10 NHL games, he is eligible to play 10 NFHL games;
- If a player appeared in 11 to 20 NHL games, he can play 20 NFHL games;
- 21 to 30 NHL games, he can play 30 NFHL games;
- 31 to 40 NHL games, he can play 40 NFHL games;
- 41 to 50 NHL games, he can play 50 NFHL games;
- 51 or more NHL games, he can play in ALL NFHL games.
Note: It is still wise to rest your players now and again; fatigue is taken into account by the simulator...!
IF YOUR TEAM IS;
a) mathematically eliminated from the playoffs;
and
b) it is past the trade deadline
then you do NOT have to worry about usage - you may use any player in his proper position as much as you like.
Teams that can't make the playoffs and are past the trade deadline WILL NOT BE FINED OR PUNISHED for overuse.

The NFHL has four possible contract levels; Rookie, Restricted Free Agent, Unrestricted Free Agent and Franchise Player.

ROOKIE CONTRACT ("ROOKIE") :
When a player is first drafted into our league (the year after playing his first game in the NHL), he will be given a THREE-YEAR ROOKIE CONTRACT.
The amount of this contract will be the same as the player's NHL rookie contract.
Example ; Player "A" is drafted into the NHL in 2008-2009.
He signs a 3-year $850,000 contract in the NHL.
When he is drafted into our league (no earlier than 2009-2010) he receives the same 3-year $850,000 contract for our league.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENT CONTRACT ("RFA") :
When that rookie contract expires, the player then gets classified as a "restricted" free agent.
That means that his team has the exclusive right to re-sign him - or trade his rights BEFORE THE UFA DRAFT.
(You will be asked to sign/no-sign your RFAs before that happens.)
At that point, the player's new NHL contract will be researched by the team and double-checked by the league.
The team may, at that point, elect to sign the player to a contract up to 3 more years in length maximum at the NHL rate.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT CONTRACT ("UFA") :
When the player's RESTRICTED contract expires, the player then gets classified as an "UNrestricted" free agent.
That means that he will be placed in that year's Free-Agent Draft (see below for explanation of that).
At that point, the players current NHL contract (dollar amount) will be researched by the league.
This player can then be drafted by any team, regardless of what team he previously played for.
UFA CONTRACTS ARE "GUARANTEED"; IN ORDER TO RELEASE A UFA, YOU MUST PAY ALL THE MONEY REMAINING ON THAT PLAYER'S CONTRACT;
SO;
You do NOT want to hand out more years to a UFA than you're SURE he'll play for you, otherwise you'll have to buy him out at tremendous cost to you!
Exception : FRANCHISE PLAYER CONTRACT : ("FP")
If you have an extremely important player on your team who is about to become a UFA, you can prevent one such player from entering the free-agent draft.
HOW THIS HAPPENS:
If you want to (you don't have to), you can designate one player as your Franchise Player.
At that point, this player is signed to a contract, up to five years in length. Here's the catch;
YOUR FRANCHISE PLAYER MUST BE YOUR HIGHEST-PAID PLAYER at the time the FP contract is signed.
EXAMPLE : Player "B"s RFA contract is expiring (he's becoming a UFA) in 2010-2011. At the time his contract expires, his team needs to keep him.
They can then sign him as their franchise player.
Player "C" is, at that time, the team's highest player, making $9.6m.
In order to make Player "B" the team's Franchise Player (and therefore keep him out of the draft), the team will have to pay him $9.7m for all the years the team decides to keep him.
FP CONTRACTS ARE ALSO "GUARANTEED"; IN ORDER TO RELEASE A FP, YOU MUST PAY ALL THE MONEY REMAINING ON THAT PLAYER'S CONTRACT!

Let's just put this out there - I don't want to fire ANYONE. I like you all, that's why I invited you in, and I'd like to keep this league together for DECADES, not years.
HOWEVER, All GMs are responsible to their peers, and, ultimately, to the Commissioner, to run their teams in a competitive manner.
This means that GMs who are losing have an urgent responsibility to make your clubs competitive in as short of a time as possible.
If it is CLEAR TO THE COMMISSIONER that you are not making decisions in a sound hockey manner or in the best interests of your club, the Commissioner may take action, including (but not limited to)
probation (where you will be required to have the approval of two senior GMs in all decisions pertaining to your club)
or the Commissioner may opt, at his sole discretion, to fire you and replace you with another GM.
This is meant as an option of LAST resort only, and will not be undertaken lightly.
GMs should not be "looking over their shoulders", and you will be warned more than once before this sort of action is taken.
If you're worried about it, ask me - and/or another couple of "stronger" (for lack of a better word) GMs - and we'll be HAPPY to help you out by giving you an opinion or two or ten.