Managing Lines in NHL 16

[RaychelSnr]

Managing your lines effectively is something that's often overlooked by some of the more casual NHL gamers out there, but it can be the difference between a win and a loss against skilled opposition. It also helps to go through your team strategy options before you dive into some of the more advanced tactics in this game, but that’s a topic for another day. For now, here are some entry-level ways you can improve your line management in NHL 16.

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[Sparkles]

Kinda new with NHL GM mode, one thing i don't understand are waiver contracts. Why can i barely send players down to minors, and bring players up. I like shuffling through players and I really hate being limited to 2-3 players in the NHL to send down to the minors

[actionhank]

Re: Managing Lines in NHL 16

Kinda new with NHL GM mode, one thing i don't understand are waiver contracts. Why can i barely send players down to minors, and bring players up. I like shuffling through players and I really hate being limited to 2-3 players in the NHL to send down to the minors

It just depends on the type of contract the player has. I'm not sure of the real life specifics, but generally, in game, a player on a 2-way contract will be able to go up and down. If you sign a free agent, that's one of the things you can try to sign them to, though I think players usually don't want to. Rookies also generally don't have to clear waivers, so they can be sent down more easily, without fear of losing them.

[GlennN]

Am I missing something or can you not match lines in NHL 16? I don't recall seeing who my opponent is putting out there, even when I am the home team, so I have no opportunity to match lines. Is there a setting for this or am I somehow missing it?

[Gangrel]

Re: Managing Lines in NHL 16

It just depends on the type of contract the player has. I'm not sure of the real life specifics, but generally, in game, a player on a 2-way contract will be able to go up and down. If you sign a free agent, that's one of the things you can try to sign them to, though I think players usually don't want to. Rookies also generally don't have to clear waivers, so they can be sent down more easily, without fear of losing them.

Two way deals are for lower salaries in the ahl, they have nothing to do with waiver eligibility, though they usually go hand in hand. But in some cases, you can have two way guys with waivers, and vice versa.

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[snc237]

Am I missing something or can you not match lines in NHL 16? I don't recall seeing who my opponent is putting out there, even when I am the home team, so I have no opportunity to match lines. Is there a setting for this or am I somehow missing it?

No you can't see line match ups.

[jyoung]

Am I missing something or can you not match lines in NHL 16? I don't recall seeing who my opponent is putting out there, even when I am the home team, so I have no opportunity to match lines. Is there a setting for this or am I somehow missing it?

The developers have stated in several interviews that line matching isn't included in the game because they believe everyone online will just exit and reenter the matchup screen until they get to be the home team and they can have the last change advantage.

[Pythons80]

But you can't even match lines in offline play. The NHL series has been a dud since 2011 IMO.

[GlennN]

The developers have stated in several interviews that line matching isn't included in the game because they believe everyone online will just exit and reenter the matchup screen until they get to be the home team and they can have the last change advantage.

I don't understand the thought process as it applies to offline play. I guess this is an indication of where the priorities lie.

[Gangrel]

Re: Managing Lines in NHL 16

I think it's because they have no way to split gameplay between offline and online.

I would love to have different camera directions for off and online, but that's gone now too.

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[bukktown]

Am I wrong to say that "behind the net" strategy leaves you at a distinct disadvantage on the back check in this game?

It seems that way to me.

[half-fast]

Am I missing something or can you not match lines in NHL 16? I don't recall seeing who my opponent is putting out there, even when I am the home team, so I have no opportunity to match lines. Is there a setting for this or am I somehow missing it?

If I recall from previous NHL games(bc I havent played 16 much), the away team has to choose their line first, so it may not be a huge interface thing, but if you look at which line the ai is bringing on after a play, you can choose your line then, if youre home. At least thats how it was done.

[actionhank]

Re: Managing Lines in NHL 16

If I recall from previous NHL games(bc I havent played 16 much), the away team has to choose their line first, so it may not be a huge interface thing, but if you look at which line the ai is bringing on after a play, you can choose your line then, if youre home. At least thats how it was done.

That definitely was a feature, but I don't believe it's in the game currently, and I don't know that it was in NHL15 either.

Edit: That said, I don't think it was ever particularly well done (like line changes in general in the game). It flashed up briefly, but gave you all of about 3 seconds to choose your line before the animation for the faceoff started, and whatever line was going was sent out.

At the same time, with the way the AI plays, line matching sadly doesn't matter much. Even in Be a GM, I'm more focused on which line is rested, then I might go for an offensive line if I'm getting an offensive zone start.