I have been working on a roster for all to use and share, as well as contribute to if you are able. I started with bad philanthropy's excellent update as a base. The next step required a lot of painstaking research (ie, reading on the toilet). I went through the Hockey News Future Watch magazine from last spring and the Hockey News 06-07 yearbook to determine the Top 25 or so prospects in the game. I focused primarily on guys who are NHL-ready or will be soon. Also, I have used an excellent source,
www.hockeysfuture.com to further refine my work.
Another big part of this project is player edits. Now I know some people don't care for editing. If that's your stance, fine, I think it can add the gaming experience. If you don't want edited rosters, don't use these and no, I don't have an "un-edited" version. Anyways, these edits are focused on misrated players (Ryan Smyth and his 95 speed comes to mind), mislabled player types (Brian Rafalski as a defensive d-man, C'mon!) and other clean-up spots (potential, etc).
This is where I could use some help from the community. I have spent hours scanning the rosters for problems. Just last night I went through every team to correct player types. EA's judgment on who is an offensive defenseman is downright ludicrous. I switched over at least 50 players (just a guess) and in the process hit some forwards as well to more appropriate roles. This was all done in the player edit screen so the changes should be permanent, regardless of what style they are set to in the team management menu. But, I'm only one man, so I'm sure I missed some rather obvious mistakes by EA. If you know of anyone is rated incorrectly, post the player in this thread along with a brief summary of the problem. I'll handle it from there.
At this point I'm not taking CAP requests, as I want to get Version One of this roster completed ASAP, then do an update with correct lines and minor league assignments once NHL rosters are finalized. In version 3, I would like to add each teams top goaltending prospect if they are not already included in the game. However, after those three goals are accomplished, I would be happy to add players to the roster of your favorite team. Remember the game has a 40 player limit per team.
To summarize, as of right now I have rosters with transactions up to today (waiting on Sean Burke, he was placed on waivers and will likely be released by Tampa Bay). I have already added about 20 players (bad philanthropy's original creations, about 8 prospects of mine and some Penguins players that might make the team. I just did scouting reports for 12 more players which I hope to create before I go to bed tonight. That leaves me with about 8 more guys to research and create for version one to be finished (maybe Wednesday, although if I can get my hands on NBA 2k7, I might get sidetracked).
Here are the players already created:
1. Jack Johnson, D CAR (will stay in college for one more year)
2. Evgeni Malkin, C PIT (will make team, get well soon!)
3. Phil Kessel, C BOS (should make team, may play in AHL)
4. Erik Johnson, D STL (attending University of Minnesota)
5. Marc Staal, D NYR (could make team)
6. Jordan Staal, C PIT (could make team with Malkin's injury)
7. Libor Pivko, LW PIT (bubble player)
8. Ryan Stone, C PIT (see above)
9. Kristopher Letang, D PIT (see above, only 19)
10. Micki Dupont, D PIT (see above, played in Europe past 3 years)
11. Darcy Carcillo, LW PIT (see above)
12. Ryan Lannon, D PIT (just sent to minor-league camp)
13. Brent Krahn, G CAL (should be backup this year)
14. Alexander Semin, LW WSH (second liner back from Russia/"military duty")
15. Stanislav Chistov, LW ANA (regular in 03-04 then went to Russia)
16. Bjorn Melin, RW ANA (Swedish import, could be checking winger)
17. Bobby Ryan, RW ANA (outside chance to make deep Ducks team)
18. Ladislav Smid, D EDM (should make team's depleted blueline)
19. Rob Schremp, C EDM (could crack line-up after dominating junior)
20. Anze Kopitar, C LA (should center LA's second line)
21. Patrick O'Sullivan, LW LA (tore up AHL, no point in going back)
22. Lauri Tukonen, RW LA (third young gun, probably back to AHL)
23. Luc Bourdon, D VAN (should make Canucks thin blueline)
24. Jesse Schultz, RW VAN (Top AHL scorer for Manitoba, could see scoring line action for 'Nucks)
Here are the players I am going to create to complete version one:
1. Drew Stafford, RW BUF (left college for the Sabres, probably AHL bound)
2. Alexander Radulov, RW NSH (dominant in junior, probably AHL bound)
3. Guillame Latendresse, RW MTL (impressing in camp, only 19)
4. Devin Setoguchi, RW SJ (impressed last year in camp as 18 year old)
5. Al Montoya, G NYR (Rangers goalie of the future, another year in AHL)
6. Marek Schwarz, G STL (just sent to AHL camp, goalie of future)
7. Tuukka Rask, G BOS (WJC 06 outstanding goalie traded for Raycroft)
8. Carey Price, G MON (MTL's goalie of the future)
9. Justin Pogge, G TOR (TOR's goalie of future, led Canada to WJC gold in 06)
10. Josh Hennessy, C OTT (part of Havlat trade, on the bubble to AHL)
11. Alexei Kaigodorov, C OTT (finally over from Russia, should make team)
12. Mike Green, D WSH (played last year, but couldn't find him in game)
13. Chris Bourque, C WSH (might make team, Ray's son I believe)
14. Nicklas Backstrom, C WSH (2006 top pick-4th overall, will play in Europe)
15. Jack Skille, LW CHI (college winger, a year or two away)
16. Benoit Pouliot, C MIN (big-time scorer needs some professional seasoning)
17. Loui Eriksson, RW DAL (might crack deep Dallas lineup this year)
18. Roman Voloshenko, RW MIN (played in AHL, outside shot at Wild)
19. Steve Downie, RW PHI (impressed Bobby Clarke with toughness, AHL bound)
20. Stefan Ruzicka, LW PHI (good talent, but deep Philly team keeps him in AHL)
21. Jonathan Toews, C CHI (Hawks centerpiece will continue for Fighting Sioux)
Once those 21 are added, I will work on goalies for each team and any suprise players out of training camp that make the opening day roster. Feel free to comment on these players, offer scouting input if any of them are from your team or remember, mention players that could use some editing. Just hold off for now on guys you would like to see added unless I have committed an obvious oversight. Thanks,
Q
09-26-2006, 02:05 AM
