Saint Louis area native Matthew Waylan Smith takes over as
the Saint Louis Blues GM just before Season 33’s Trade Deadline in the FNHL.
Waylan brings experience from previous Sim Hockey Leagues
through the POFHL, ECHL, and WTFHL, but none have been this involved.
The financial pieces (ticket prices setting, salary cap
retention, etc.) will be quite a bit different from what I’ve seen in other
leagues. The team I’m taking over has quite a bit of cap space and seems to be
in solid financial shape, so I will be trying to learn how I can leverage that
to show some on-the-ice improvements moving forward.
The rerate system is quite a bit different and looks really
interesting. It looks like a very mature model of keeping attributes in check,
and keeping the league competitive. It doesn’t look like it will allow a team
to load up every line with high OV players because the players on the lower
lines will decrease in skill level every season if they don't get counting stats. I really like what I see with
this process and it will be fun to learn more about it.
The player development process has some pretty significant differences
between this league and other leagues I’ve been a part of in the past.
Attributes cost money instead of points. Money has to be earned. I need to make
sure I earn funds off the ice that I can use to help the team on the ice.
Sounds like Free Agency is structured a little bit differently
as well with the ability to sign players to modified contracts, and the process
being a bit more staggered to make sure higher level talent is available later on
in free agency.
The Blues current roster isn’t void of talent, but it will
take time and effort on my end to make sure I’m making the right kind of moves
needed to properly understand what the league is and how it works.
I’m pumped to be able to join the league! LET’S GO BLUES!
8/31/2026 - 320 words
