Hurricanes Head to Finals!!!

Following Saturday's 4-2 victory at home over Detroit, the Carolina Hurricanes are headed to the #NSHL20 Stanley Cup Finals.

"We ended the regular season as #NSHLBelt Champions and we fully expect to end the playoffs as Stanley Cup Champions." Hurricanes' Captain Jonathan Toews told on-ice reporter Peter McGwire following a storm surge celebration.

The Hurricanes now await the winner of the #3 seed Edmonton and #4 seed Chicago, a series which Chicago now leads 3-2. The Blackhawks are, of course, defending Champions and have won 2 of the last 3 Stanley Cups.

"We don't really care who we're up against in the Finals. We're just eager to get going. Hopefully Edmonton and Chicago can hurry up and resolve their series so we -the higher seed- can host them for Game 1 sooner than later. Sure, they're both historically elite franchises with elite GMs, but we've got the strap on, we're the next generation of elite." Hurricanes' defenseman John Klingberg said in his post-game Zoom.

Playoffs Semi-Finals

2		12
Hurricanes Win 4-1
Game 1 - Detroit 1 Carolina 2 - F Game 2 - Detroit 3 Carolina 2 - F Game 3 - Carolina 5 Detroit 2 - F Game 4 - Carolina 2 Detroit 1 - F Game 5 - Detroit 2 Carolina 4 - F

3		4
Blackhawks Lead 3-2
Game 1 - Chicago 3 Edmonton 2 - F Game 2 - Chicago 1 Edmonton 4 - F Game 3 - Edmonton 2 Chicago 1 - OT Game 4 - Edmonton 3 Chicago 4 - F Game 5 - Chicago 4 Edmonton 2 - F Game 6 - Edmonton @ Chicago Game 7 - Chicago @ Edmonton

MSHL Playoffs Semi-Finals

2		13
Monsters Lead 3-2
Game 1 - Cleveland 3 Wheeling 2 - OT Game 2 - Cleveland 3 Wheeling 7 - F Game 3 - Wheeling 2 Cleveland 5 - F Game 4 - Wheeling 2 Cleveland 5 - F Game 5 - Cleveland 2 Wheeling 5 - F Game 6 - Wheeling @ Cleveland Game 7 - Cleveland @ Wheeling

3		10
Mayhem Lead 3-2
Game 1 - Henderson 3 Macon 4 - OT Game 2 - Henderson 4 Macon 2 - F Game 3 - Macon 3 Henderson 5 - F Game 4 - Macon 4 Henderson 2 - F Game 5 - Henderson 4 Macon 1 - F Game 6 - Macon @ Henderson Game 7 - Henderson @ Macon

NSHL21 Enters Rivalry Mode

For NSHL21 the league will revert to geographic based divisions for the NSHL, which will then be mirrored in the MSHL. With that news confirmed, the Commissioner moved quickly to add some sizzle to the pan and on Thursday the concept of #NSHLRivals was introduced.

Within STHS there is a "rivalry" setting scale of 0-5 between all teams which has been set to 0 (0 no rivalry, 5 intense rivalry). The higher this number is set, the more intense games get between two teams (more hitting, penalties, fights, injuries etc.).

Starting in NSHL21 teams within the same division will be set to a rivalry of 2 out of 5. Each consecutive year two teams remain division rivals they will see +1 added to their rivalry.

Additionally, two teams who go to Game 7 in the Playoffs will see their rivalry increase +1, with an additional +2 if they go to Game 7s in back-to-back seasons. You bet this year's Game 7s count towards #NSHL21 rivalries.

Rivalry settings will reset each off-season unless the back-to-back criteria above is met.

There's Benefits to Beating a Rival

You'll want to beat a rival under any cicrumstance, but it's even sweeter when you can beat them in their own building.

Teams that submit lines for road games against a rival are eligible to declare victory at the end of the season if they have a winning road record against that rival (regular season + playoffs).

Victory declared? Your rival will send you all revenue from every game you two played in their building and you will also receive a 10% comparative discount from free agents in the immediate off-season in negotiations where you and your rival have submitted bids.

Why would a player want to go to a LOSER when they can play for a WINNER?

NSHL21 Alignment

To kick-off the #NSHLRivals talk, here is a look at the potential #NSHL21 alignment assuming there are no more relocations.

ATLANTIC Division

Carolina Hurricanes

Florida Panthers expansion

New York Islanders

New York Rangers

Philadelphia Flyers

Tampa Bay Lightning

NORTHEAST Division

Boston Bruins

Hamilton Mustangs

Montreal Canadiens

Pittsburgh Penguins

Quebec Nordiques

Toronto Maple Leafs

CENTRAL Division

Chicago Blackhawks

Colorado Avalanche

Detroit Red Wings

Minnesota Wild

St. Louis Blues

Winnipeg Jets

PACIFIC Division

Dallas Stars

Edmonton Oilers

Los Angeles Kings expansion

San Jose Sharks

Seattle Kraken

Vegas Golden Knights

Rivalries are here boys, get out the band-aids, call the ambluance, do what you have to do as business is about to pick up.

Playoffs Round 2

1		12
Red Wings Win 4-3
Game 1 - Detroit 1 Florida 4 - F Game 2 - Detroit 3 Florida 1 - F Game 3 - Florida 1 Detroit 3 - F Game 4 - Florida 2 Detroit 3 - 2OT Game 5 - Detroit 3 Florida 7 - F Game 6 - Florida 6 Detroit 2 - F Game 7 - Detroit 4 Florida 2 - F

2		11
Hurricanes Win 4-1
Game 1 - NY Rangers 0 Carolina 2 - F Game 2 - NY Rangers 4 Carolina 3 - F Game 3 - Carolina 2 NY Rangers 1 - F Game 4 - Carolina 3 NY Rangers 1 - F Game 5 - NY Rangers 1 Carolina 5 - F

3		9
Oilers Win 4-3
Game 1 - Boston 3 Edmonton 4 - OT Game 2 - Boston 2 Edmonton 3 - F Game 3 - Edmonton 4 Boston 1 - F Game 4 - Edmonton 1 Boston 2 - OT Game 5 - Boston 3 Edmonton 2 - OT Game 6 - Edmonton 1 Boston 2 - OT Game 7 - Boston 1 Edmonton 3 - F

4		7
Blackhawks Win 4-3
Game 1 - Toronto 4 Chicago 3 - OT Game 2 - Toronto 1 Chicago 4 - F Game 3 - Chicago 4 Toronto 2 - F Game 4 - Chicago 1 Toronto 2 - OT Game 5 - Toronto 5 Chicago 6 - OT Game 6 - Chicago 1 Toronto 4 - F Game 7 - Toronto 2 Chicago 4 - F

MSHL Playoffs - Round 2

1		13
Monsters Win 4-1
Game 1 - Cleveland 3 Providence 0 - F Game 2 - Cleveland 4 Providence 3 - OT Game 3 - Providence 4 Cleveland 1 - F Game 4 - Providence 2 Cleveland 4 - F Game 5 - Cleveland 5 Providence 3 - F

2		12
Nailers Win 4-3
Game 1 - Orlando 1 Wheeling 5 - F Game 2 - Orlando 2 Wheeling 6 - F Game 3 - Wheeling 2 Orlando 1 - OT Game 4 - Wheeling 3 Orlando 4 - F Game 5 - Orlando 4 Wheeling 2 - F Game 6 - Wheeling 2 Orlando 3 - OT Game 7 - Orlando 2 Wheeling 3 - OT

3		11
Mayhamm Win 4-3
Game 1 - Bridgeport 4 Macon 3 - F Game 2 - Bridgeport 0 Macon 2 - F Game 3 - Macon 5 Bridgeport 6 - F Game 4 - Macon 4 Bridgeport 2 - F Game 5 - Bridgeport 2 Macon 1 - F Game 6 - Macon 4 Bridgeport 3 - F Game 7 - Bridgeport 1 Macon 2 - OT

7		10
Silver Knights Win 4-3
Game 1 - Henderson 5 Newfoundland 3 - F Game 2 - Henderson 3 Newfoundland 2 - F Game 3 - Newfoundland 6 Henderson 1 - F Game 4 - Newfoundland 3 Henderson 2 - OT Game 5 - Henderson 2 Newfoundland 5 - F Game 6 - Newfoundland 2 Henderson 3 - F Game 7 - Henderson 3 Newfoundland 2 - F

Playoffs Round 1

1		16
Panthers Win 4-3
Game 1 - NY Islanders 1 Florida 3 - F Game 2 - NY Islanders 4 Florida 2 - F Game 3 - Florida 6 NY Islanders 1 - F Game 4 - Florida 2 NY Islanders 3 - F Game 5 - NY Islanders 3 Florida 1 - F Game 6 - Florida 3 NY Islanders 1 - F Game 7 - NY Islanders 1 Florida 3 - F

2		15
Hurricanes Win 4-2
Game 1 - Minnesota 2 Carolina 1 - F Game 2 - Minnesota 1 Carolina 4 - F Game 3 - Carolina 2 Minnesota 4 - F Game 4 - Carolina 3 Minnesota 2 - F Game 5 - Minnesota 1 Carolina 3 - F Game 6 - Carolina 4 Minnesota 2 - F

3		14
Oilers Win 4-3
Game 1 - Quebec 3 Edmonton 2 - 3OT Game 2 - Quebec 3 Edmonton 2 - F Game 3 - Edmonton 4 Quebec 3 - F Game 4 - Edmonton 2 Quebec 3 - F Game 5 - Quebec 2 Edmonton 3 - OT Game 6 - Edmonton 3 Quebec 1 - F Game 7 - Quebec 1 Edmonton 4 - F

4		13
Blackhawks Win 4-3
Game 1 - Pittsburgh 1 Chicago 2 - F Game 2 - Pittsburgh 5 Chicago 4 - OT Game 3 - Chicago 4 Pittsburgh 3 - F Game 4 - Chicago 3 Pittsburgh 2 - F Game 5 - Pittsburgh 4 Chicago 3 - OT Game 6 - Chicago 1 Pittsburgh 3 - F Game 7 - Pittsburgh 3 Chicago 4 - OT

5		12
Red Wings Win 4-3
Game 1 - Detroit 2 San Jose 5 - F Game 2 - Detroit 4 San Jose 0 - F Game 3 - San Jose 3 Detroit 1 - F Game 4 - San Jose 1 Detroit 2 - F Game 5 - Detroit 4 San Jose 2 - F Game 6 - San Jose 4 Detroit 2 - F Game 7 - Detroit 2 San Jose 1 - F

6		11
Rangers Win 4-1
Game 1 - NY Rangers 3 Philadelphia 2 - OT Game 2 - NY Rangers 3 Philadelphia 5 - F Game 3 - Philadelphia 0 NY Rangers 3 - F Game 4 - Philadelphia 1 NY Rangers 4 - F Game 5 - NY Rangers 2 Philadelphia 1 - F

7		10
Maple Leafs Win 4-0
Game 1 - Tampa Bay 0 Toronto 2 - F Game 2 - Tampa Bay 1 Toronto 4 - F Game 3 - Toronto 2 Tampa Bay 1 - F Game 4 - Toronto 4 Tampa Bay 2 - F

8		9
Bruins Win 4-2
Game 1 - Boston 5 Montreal 1 - F Game 2 - Boston 3 Montreal 1 - F Game 3 - Montreal 4 Boston 3 - OT Game 4 - Montreal 1 Boston 4 - F Game 5 - Boston 2 Montreal 5 - F Game 6 - Montreal 2 Boston 3 - OT

MSHL20 Playoffs - Round 1

1		16
Bruins Win 4-1
Game 1 - Greenville 0 Providence 3 - F Game 2 - Greenville 4 Providence 5 - OT Game 3 - Providence 2 Greenville 4 - F Game 4 - Providence 2 Greenville 1 - F Game 5 - Greenville 1 Providence 3 - F

2		15
Nailers Win 4-0
Game 1 - Grand Rapids 2 Wheeling 4 - F Game 2 - Grand Rapids 2 Wheeling 4 - F Game 3 - Wheeling 3 Grand Rapids 1 - F Game 4 - Wheeling 5 Grand Rapids 4 - OT

3		14
Mayhem Win 4-3
Game 1 - Lehigh Valley 4 Macon 5 - OT Game 2 - Lehigh Valley 3 Macon 2 - F Game 3 - Macon 5 Lehigh Valley 2 - F Game 4 - Macon 0 Lehigh Valley 2 - F Game 5 - Lehigh Valley 1 Macon 4 - F Game 6 - Macon 1 Lehigh Valley 4 - F Game 7 - Lehigh Valley 2 Macon 7 - F

4		13
Monsters Win 4-2
Game 1 - Cleveland 3 Colorado 4 - F Game 2 - Cleveland 6 Colorado 4 - F Game 3 - Colorado 2 Cleveland 4 - F Game 4 - Colorado 5 Cleveland 6 - F Game 5 - Cleveland 2 Colorado 3 - F Game 6 - Colorado 1 Cleveland 3 - F

5		12
Solar Bears Win 4-2
Game 1 - Orlando 2 Bakersfield 5 - F Game 2 - Orlando 2 Bakersfield 4 - F Game 3 - Bakersfield 2 Orlando 5 - F Game 4 - Bakersfield 1 Orlando 4 - F Game 5 - Orlando 3 Bakersfield 2 - OT Game 6 - Bakersfield 3 Orlando 6 - F

6		11
Islanders Win 4-3
Game 1 - Bridgeport 6 Rochester 1 - F Game 2 - Bridgeport 1 Rochester 4 - F Game 3 - Rochester 3 Bridgeport 5 - F Game 4 - Rochester 1 Bridgeport 3 - F Game 5 - Bridgeport 1 Rochester 4 - F Game 6 - Rochester 3 Bridgeport 1 - F Game 7 - Bridgeport 5 Rochester 4 - F

7		10
Growlers Win 4-2
Game 1 - Toledo 1 Newfoundland 5 - F Game 2 - Toledo 1 Newfoundland 6 - F Game 3 - Newfoundland 3 Toledo 1 - F Game 4 - Newfoundland 1 Toledo 3 - F Game 5 - Toledo 3 Newfoundland 2 - F Game 6 - Newfoundland 4 Toledo 3 - OT

8		9
Silver Knifes Win 4-1
Game 1 - Henderson 2 Brampton 1 - F Game 2 - Henderson 7 Brampton 2 - F Game 3 - Brampton 1 Henderson 4 - F Game 4 - Brampton 6 Henderson 4 - F Game 5 - Henderson 4 Brampton 3 - F

A Hollywood Story: There's A New Terry in Town..

If you haven't already heard, the Los Angeles Kings are about to make a grand entrance onto the NSHL scene. Forget everything you know about the "Kings" of the past, the #NSHL21 expansion version are planning on big things.

"First we take their players. Then we take their points and their trophies. Then: we party." Kings' GM Nicholas Terry told reporters via Zoom call on Monday afternoon.

The league's newest GM can barely even call himself a GM yet, but is already boasting about his impending success thanks to his "Mamba Mentality".

"I've been watching the league for a little while now and I already know more about ratings and success than the majority of the GMs, it seems. I've put in my hours. Watched all the tapes. Crunched all the numbers. I'm ready to dominate. I just hope I don't get too bored too quickly from all the winning."

"We are working closely with the league to ensure that all appropriate protocols are in place ahead of the #NSHLExpansionDraft and the moment we are allowed to officially start, we'll be busy working out deals to become the most successful Terry the sim hockey world has ever seen. Then again, all we really need is a post-season berth and we're halfway there."

The 23rd NSHL franchise has already set up a Twitter which can be followed at @kings_gm. Alternatively, GM Nicholas can be contacted by e-mail at lak.nterry@gmail.com.

Dallas Awarded the All-Star Classic

GM Darren takes the podium with a sly smile.

"Mr. Commissioner, I want to thank you for doing what's right and bringing the 'Big D' back to the NSHL. The All-Star Classic needs the right host and the right host city and what seems more fitting than this massive D here in the 'Big D'!?

Hello everyone, my name is Darren and I am the GM responsible for bringing simulated hockey BACK to Dallas. Oh, and did we already mention the All-Star Classic comes with it?

Now, some may ask, why Dallas? I wanted to correct the final chapters of the story the previous HOF GM left for the city. That's right, hold the door, the story is NOT done. Although we all learned from Twitter follows once upon a time that he definitely enjoyed the fact that "-everything- is bigger in Texas", it left a suspicious stain on the city's reputation. He once had fame and fortune, then bankruptcy, and then was famously caught trying to trade a 5th for a 4th and bailed. Now here I am: The solution.

I wanted to get my team out of the political turmoil that is JT's Ottawa and down to the sunny south where COVID doesn't exist. We're breaking down unbuilt walls, one brick at a time and trust me when I tell you: we are here to WIN and win big. 'Everything is bigger in Texas' including our goals and expectations.

We're getting ready to welcome the world to Dallas in a couple of months time for the Classic and then again in a year from now for the parade. We're excited to welcome you."

The league has confirmed the re-location of the Ottawa Senators for NSHL21 when they will become the Dallas Stars. The new city will also play host to the NSHL20 All-Star Classic which will have a whole new format that is outlined below.

The new format for both the NSHL and MSHL events would be a two team, three game series. The twist?

Each game is split into mini games by period, for a total of nine (9) games (3 games, 3 periods each) overall. The team that wins the most combined mini games is declared victorious.

As an example:

Game 1 scoring:
Period 1: Team A 2 Team B 1
Period 2: Team A 0 Team B 1
Period 3: Team A 3 Team B 2

After Game 1 Team A leads the series 2-1 thanks to outscoring Team B in the 1st and 3rd periods.

Any overtime or shootout results would only be taken into account in the event a tie-break is needed. The next tie-break would be the total running score results of the games themselves.

But wait, there's more!

All skaters in the event will earn KOTR style points based on their results over the three game series (Goal x2, Assist x1, +/- x0.5, PIM x-0.5). These points will convert into Training Camp points which players on the winning side will get to keep and have applied by their rights holding GM.

As always, all players named to the event must see starting ice-time in at least one of the games.

The GMs for this year's event will be the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks' GM Darryl and the host GM which is currently TBD. The MSHL will feature the defending MSHL Cup Champion and Tampa Bay Lightning GM JJ and runner-up from the San Jose Sharks, GM Jesse.

NSHL All-Star Defensemen Filled

Following Round 9 of #NSHLKOTR the NSHL has fulfilled is 14 blue-liner requirement, meaning no new defensemen will be named to this year's Classic.

As #NSHLKOTR winds down, so do qualifying check-points for the All-Star Classic. The league will fill any remaining needs at the end of the year with top remaining players in points by position.

NSHL All-Stars

QUALIFIER	POS	NAME	TEAM
KOTR Round 1 Top Seed	F1	Evgeni Malkin
KOTR Round 2 Top Seed	F2	Leon Draisaitl
PSC Champion	F3	Matt Duchene
PSC Runner-Up	F4	Logan Couture
PSC Final Four	F5	Nazem Kadri
PSC Final Four	F6	Connor Brown
KOTR Round 3 Top Seed	F7	Nathan MacKinnon
KOTR Round 4 Top Seed	F8	John Tavares
KOTR Round 5 2nd Seed	F9	David Pastrnak
KOTR Round 6 2nd Seed	F10	Ryan O'Reilly
KOTR Round 7 1st Seed	F11	Brandon McMillan
KOTR Round 8 2nd Seed	F12	Tyler Ennis
KOTR Round 9 2nd Seed	F13	Max Domi
KOTR Round 10 Top F in PTS	F14	Alex Kerfoot
KOTR Round 12 Top F in PTS	F15	Elias Lindholm
KOTR Round 1 Top D in PTS	D1	Josh Morrissey
KOTR Round 3 Defenseman	D2	Ryan Ellis
KOTR Round 3 Defenseman	D3	Justin Faulk
KOTR Round 3 Defenseman	D4	Oscar Klefbom
KOTR Round 3 Defenseman	D5	Erik Karlsson
KOTR Round 3 Defenseman	D6	John Carlson
KOTR Round 3 Defenseman	D7	Kevin Shattenkirk
KOTR Round 3 Top D in PTS	D8	Cam Fowler
KOTR Round 4 Top D in PTS	D9	Eric Gelinas
KOTR Round 5 Top D in PTS	D10	Dmitry Kulikov
KOTR Round 6 Top D in PTS	D11	Brady Skjei
KOTR Round 7 Top D in PTS	D12	Matt Dumba
KOTR Round 8 Top D in PTS	D13	Shayne Gostisbehere
KOTR Round 9 Top D in PTS	D14	John Klingberg
KOTR Round 1 Top G in GAA	G1	Robin Lehner
KOTR Round 2 Top G in GAA	G2	Jake Allen
KOTR Round 3 Top G in GAA	G3	Joonas Korpisalo
KOTR Round 4 Top G in GAA	G4	Ryan Miller
KOTR Round 5 Top G in GAA	G5	James Reimer
KOTR Round 6 Top G in GAA	G6	Al Montoya

MSHL All-Stars

QUALIFIER	POS	NAME	TEAM
KOTR Round 1 Top F in PTS	F1	Mark Olver
KOTR Round 2 Top F in PTS	F2	Kevin Fiala
KOTR Round 3 Top F in PTS	F3	Linus Omark
KOTR Round 4 Top F in PTS	F4	Nico Hischier
KOTR Round 5 Top F in PTS	F5	Robby Fabbri
KOTR Round 6 Top F in PTS	F6	Sam Reinhart
KOTR Round 7 Top F in PTS	F7	Andrei Svechnikov
KOTR Round 8 Top F in PTS	F8	Auston Matthews
KOTR Round 9 Top F in PTS	F9	Tom Kuhnhackl
KOTR Round 10 Top F in PTS	F10	Elias Pettersson
KOTR Round 11 Top F in PTS	F11	Bryan Little
KOTR Round 1 Top D in PTS	D1	Tony DeAngelo
KOTR Round 2 Top D in PTS	D2	Rasmus Dahlin
KOTR Round 3 Top D in PTS	D3	Samuel Girard
KOTR Round 4 Top D in PTS	D4	Thomas Chabot
KOTR Round 5 Top D in PTS	D5	Marcus Pettersson
KOTR Round 6 Top D in PTS	D6	Gustav Forsling
KOTR Round 7 Top D in PTS	D7	Quinn Hughes
KOTR Round 8 Top D in PTS	D8	Cale Makar
KOTR Round 9 Top D in PTS	D9	Anthony Duclair
KOTR Round 10 Top D in PTS	D10	Shea Theodore
KOTR Round 11 Top D in PTS	D11	Samuel Morin
KOTR Round 1 Top G in GAA	G1	Alex Nedeljkovic
KOTR Round 2 Top G in GAA	G2	Carter Hart
KOTR Round 3 Top G in GAA	G3	Jared Coreau
KOTR Round 4 Top G in GAA	G4	Anthony Stolarz
KOTR Round 5 Top G in GAA	G5	Devan Dubnyk
KOTR Round 6 Top G in GAA	G6	Reto Berra

Your #NSHL21 Features Tracker

One announcement, perhaps the biggest announcement came several months ago when the league office confirmed its intention to expand to 24 teams for NSHL21.

"Since the news became public it really took off with several GMs acknowledging their excitement and even making referrals to friends and enemies who they thought would be interesting in participating. I've reached out to a couple of strong candidates and am very happy to announce we have at least two new GMs lined up to participate in our 21st season."

Wait, you said "at least". Does that mean the league could grow to more than 24 teams?

"No. We intend to have 24 active teams next season."

Announcements

Below is a list of confirmed announcements of changes ahead of NSHL21 as per the league. This list will grow over time.

• The number of teams will grow from 22 to 24
• Teams will be aligned in 4 divisions & 6 teams per division (actual configuration TBD)
• KOTR will feature 5 players per team to start (120 total in 10 groups of 12) and a mass elimination coming out of Round 1 (12 down to 8)
• The PSC will feature 3 players guaranteed per team (72 total) with a play-in round for players seeded 63-72 similar to a KOTR round
• Arena capacities in the NSHL will be "flatlined" to 18,000 however any previously purchased upgrades will be honoured
• The Florida Panthers are expected to relocate to Montreal to become the Canadiens
• The Montreal Canadiens are expected to relocate to Colorado to become the Avalanche
• The Ottawa Senators are expected to relocate to Dallas to become the Stars
• The Florida Panthers will join the league as an Expansion Team
• The Los Angeles Kings will join the league as an Expansion Team

NHL Re-Rates Released

"I know for some of you this is a day on the calendar that you have had circled for a long, long time."

The Commissioner had trouble setting up today's Zoom meeting at first. He could hear others but they couldn't hear him. It seems as though the Commissioner had muted himself by accident. Jokes were made that he's better muted. Some laughed. Many did not have their cameras on so judgment could not be passed on whether they too were laughing or even paying attention.

"After a lot of work, I am proud to release the NHL-based ratings the league will use for NSHL21!"

These NHL-based ratings have no impact on anything in NSHL20 and are strictly a guideline as to how new players stack up and in two potential situations, how a player may be re-rated.

The main change from years past is in the STrength category, which was corrected and upgraded as previously announced. The same formula will also apply to both NSHL and MSHL re-rates without limitation.

Player ages will be updated in the off-season across the board (NHL, NSHL, MSHL ratings) to their age as of July 1, 2021. This has no impact on their rating categories but may impact OV (again, zero impact on a player's abilities).

The NHL Ratings for NSHL21 can be found here.

ELC Update for NSHL21

The forthcoming addition of two clubs, as well as the confirmation by the league that there will be a 7th Round added to the NSHL Draft beginning with the draft following the NSHL21 season means a few changes needed to be made to the Entry Level Contract (ELC).

First and foremost the biggest upgrade of them all which the BoD made was to consolidate the two "tiered" ELC chart into a single range where age at the time of signing is irrelevant.

"The previous ELC chart was created prior to the introduction of the Bridge Contract which has been working well for a couple of seasons now. The Bridge Contract takes care of younger players whose contracts expire before 25, so the two different signing ranges based on age were redundant. This simplifies what a prospect can sign for."

"The changes to the ELC are very minor, but are forward thinking and make it a lot clearer for all GMs exactly what a player will make right from the moment they're drafted."

The updated NSHL Rulebook has been released into Dropbox.

Looking Ahead: The BoD Vision for NSHL21

It seems like we only just started on NSHL20 not too long ago, so why start bringing up NSHL21 - it's ages away!?

Answer: This is what the Board of Directors does. Their work begins well in advance of an actual change or event taking place. If change is to happen for NSHL21 (it is), work on any change needs to begin sooner than later - especially where every team is impacted. We can't (won't) have a bunch of nincompoops running the show or the progress we've made wouldn't have occurred.

So, what does this "Board" have in store?

WE'RE EXPECTING (TWINS)!

Consider this formal warning: unless something crazy happens (crazier than say a global pandemic), the league's intention for NSHL21 is to grow by two to 24 teams.

With 22 teams more-or-less fully active, the league plans to expand by two franchises in the off-season which means that as per the NSHL Rulebook, all teams will be able to protect up to 13 players with all players that qualify as rookies and/or prospects in NSHL21 being exempt. Incoming teams will be able to draft one player from every existing team in the Expansion Draft.

The BoD also will make allowances for any team(s) that may go bankrupt or become otherwise vacant ahead of NSHL21. In this scenario a team/teams would be contracted through a Dispersal Draft and then would re-enter as additional expansion clubs under new management to keep us at 24.

For many GMs, we've been here before not too long ago.

This is another benefit to getting the news early: all teams have time to thoughtfully plan out their protection lists well in advance of the league's Trade Deadline.

As for new GMs, there are a couple of GMs actively waiting on a team and who would likely be interested in coming aboard. However, given the time delay things could change. If you know someone who would be a good fit, feel free to let the Commissioner know to make arrangements on proceeding further (referral bonuses are a thing).

Also: The ST Fix

During both NHL and NSHL re-rates this upcoming off-season every single skater's STrength rating is going to be updated independently from the typical adjustments.

Since the NSHL developed their own rating system, players' ST rating has always been quite low (40s and 50s typically). Players who were brought into the league under the "original" third-party rating system have higher ST ratings, despite it being a category that really shouldn't fluctuate that much year after year (STrength is not really something you think about as stat-based).

Without over-complicating: ST is based on a base level rating which goes up or down based on a player's height and weight compared to the league average. Taller than the average height? ST goes up. Weigh less than the average weight? ST goes down. Bigger = stronger, smaller = weaker. Makes sense?

The issue the BoD found is the bottom-end and top-end are extremely far apart in ratings when the difference from a smaller player to a bigger player is typically well less than a foot and maybe an increase of 25-3 lbs but is worth 30+ points towards ST.

The new ST will tighten the window so all skaters are more evenly aligned (for most players, the ST will see a significant boost at zero cost).

Both of these announcements should be seen as massive progressive steps forward to improving our league overall, and it certainly won't stop there!