How to build a contender (Part 2)

Last week we looked at all the abilities that made up a solid FNHL hockey player and how to combine them so that you get a well balanced team. We held back the last 6 stats to create this article, puck control, defence, passing, scoring, experience and leadership.

It is will known that in order to have a good offence you need a good defence. That is true in the FNHL world. Players that have a high defence rating should play more defensive than those who do not. But sometimes it has alot to do with who their linemates are and their other abilities such as intensity and strength. Those three stats make up a solid defensive player especially in defenceman. I personally like players to be either defensive or offensive and not both.

Puck control is one of those stats that are good for all types of players. In defencemen having good puck control enables the player to carry out his defensive duties as well as helps him deliver good first passes out of the zone. Puck control in forwards and offensive players helps them create plays and gives them better ability to shoot and thus score. In goaltenders puck control is even more important as it allows them to control the puck in their crease and reduce rebounds.

Passing and scoring are obvious in their definition as to what they bring to a FNHL player. Of course you want alot of these kind of players but having too many will dilute your lines and not focusing on other types of players will not give you a good diverse roster that is ready to take on different types of teams. I like my centers to pass my left wingers to score and my right wingers to pass. It has been a successful formula for me over the years. As for my defenceman, I usually like to have one defenceman that has the passing skills and the others focus on their defensive skills. Scoring in defencemen isn't a big deal to me as I would rather they focus on moving the puck to my forwards and keeping the puck away from my goaltender.

I am sure alot of you experienced GMs may thing that my blabbering about FNHL player abilities as old school and common knowledge but if anyone out there can take anything from it then I have done my job.

Next week we will focus on the lackluster gate receipts of FNHL teams. Is the sport dying? Are ticket prices too high? or are the players not exciting enough to sell out FNHL arenas across the league.