First time playing Historical (1960s)

BennyTheMarlin · 07-10-2025, 12:24 PM

I've recently starting playing my first historical game, and picked the expansion Seals from 1967. I've reached my first off-season and thought I'd get some advice from those with more experience. I'm mainly concerned with how to handle those players needing new contracts, since there is no free agency.

-Are rights to an unsigned player retained indefinitely, for one year, what?
-How do players react to your offers once the off-season begins? Will their mood inevitably drop with each of my offers below their ask, and at what point will they cut things off and hold out? When do they start moving toward a middle ground, if at all? (I've got a guy that I need but won't give an inch yet, is there a time for me to cave or can I wait him out for some savings).
-Any thing else to do with how others play in this specific era.

Also, I can't find a good website describing the changes in NHL free agency over time. If you someone could recommend one, it would be great for background.

Adam B · 07-10-2025, 08:09 PM

So, the Seals was actually the first stream series we did this year for FHM11. You can check it out on our YouTube page if you'd like.

However, to answer you questions;

Free Agency of this era (and really, up until the 90s) in all sports didn't really exist. Teams held rights of players until they retired. So you don't have to sign anyone you don't want to. Eventually they will sign with a minor league team or be assigned to the "Free Agent" team. They will keep improving (or getting worse).

Their attitude will change. Just watch the face icons. It will reset after a time if you upset them enough.

The two major things that start affecting the Seals (and other teams of the era) was expansion (as you'll lose some depth), and when the WHA comes into being. Then players now have an alternative place to go play. Some will refuse to sign, or if you forget to sign someone, they'll likely jump ship - and you'll have to wait for their contract to expire or the WHA team to fold (however you will hold their rights unless you release them).

BennyTheMarlin · 07-11-2025, 02:11 PM

Thanks. This is all good info. It sounds like having a guy unsigned will affect his attitude, but not his performance/development. I have one guy left that I need to sign, so I guess I'll keep checking his demands as the summer goes on. It just makes me nervous to let it drag out.

Second question, though. I'd like to continue with NHL history without "Historical Editing" on for as much as possible, but would like to not have the team change names every other year (or move to Cleveland down the road). And, of course, not fold. How could I best do this?

BennyTheMarlin · 07-25-2025, 12:49 PM

Coming back to this. I'm unclear after looking into it if you can toggle into "Enable Historical Editing" and then back out and keep normal league evolution intact. I'd like to change the team name but have it continue normally with future expansions, etc. Can I do this?

Adam B · 07-25-2025, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BennyTheMarlin

Coming back to this. I'm unclear after looking into it if you can toggle into "Enable Historical Editing" and then back out and keep normal league evolution intact. I'd like to change the team name but have it continue normally with future expansions, etc. Can I do this?

Is all you want to do is change a team name? If so, you just need to edit the team and then hit save.

07-10-2025, 12:24 PM	#1
BennyTheMarlin Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Hamden, CT Posts: 139	First time playing Historical (1960s) I've recently starting playing my first historical game, and picked the expansion Seals from 1967. I've reached my first off-season and thought I'd get some advice from those with more experience. I'm mainly concerned with how to handle those players needing new contracts, since there is no free agency. -Are rights to an unsigned player retained indefinitely, for one year, what? -How do players react to your offers once the off-season begins? Will their mood inevitably drop with each of my offers below their ask, and at what point will they cut things off and hold out? When do they start moving toward a middle ground, if at all? (I've got a guy that I need but won't give an inch yet, is there a time for me to cave or can I wait him out for some savings). -Any thing else to do with how others play in this specific era. Also, I can't find a good website describing the changes in NHL free agency over time. If you someone could recommend one, it would be great for background.

07-10-2025, 08:09 PM	#2
Adam B Hockey Community Manager Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: A Hockey Rink Posts: 2,503	So, the Seals was actually the first stream series we did this year for FHM11. You can check it out on our YouTube page if you'd like. However, to answer you questions; Free Agency of this era (and really, up until the 90s) in all sports didn't really exist. Teams held rights of players until they retired. So you don't have to sign anyone you don't want to. Eventually they will sign with a minor league team or be assigned to the "Free Agent" team. They will keep improving (or getting worse). Their attitude will change. Just watch the face icons. It will reset after a time if you upset them enough. The two major things that start affecting the Seals (and other teams of the era) was expansion (as you'll lose some depth), and when the WHA comes into being. Then players now have an alternative place to go play. Some will refuse to sign, or if you forget to sign someone, they'll likely jump ship - and you'll have to wait for their contract to expire or the WHA team to fold (however you will hold their rights unless you release them). __________________ *Come Watch Adam and Jeff's Live Twitch Streams Every Wednesday Night at 11pm Eastern on the FHM Twitch Channel and the OOTP Twitch Channel*

07-11-2025, 02:11 PM	#3
BennyTheMarlin Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Hamden, CT Posts: 139	Thanks. This is all good info. It sounds like having a guy unsigned will affect his attitude, but not his performance/development. I have one guy left that I need to sign, so I guess I'll keep checking his demands as the summer goes on. It just makes me nervous to let it drag out. Second question, though. I'd like to continue with NHL history without "Historical Editing" on for as much as possible, but would like to not have the team change names every other year (or move to Cleveland down the road). And, of course, not fold. How could I best do this?

07-25-2025, 12:49 PM	#4
BennyTheMarlin Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Hamden, CT Posts: 139	Coming back to this. I'm unclear after looking into it if you can toggle into "Enable Historical Editing" and then back out and keep normal league evolution intact. I'd like to change the team name but have it continue normally with future expansions, etc. Can I do this?