Executive Hockey News

Our first update of 2020 is here, and it's a small one with just a few updates:

Fixed a bug when the game is trying to determine if a team had clinched the playoffs - previously some teams would 'clinch' and then slip out of a playoff spot
Updated UFAs so there are always exactly 30 of each position type available (i.e. 30 forwards, 30 defense, 30 goalies)
Slight performance improvements

Minor changes and fixes this month:

Updated backgrounds
Fixed order of LW-C-RW on the right hand side of the rink
Fixed bug that caused players who were already penalized to get penalties
Removing draft pick on trade planner now correctly removes it (it no longer re-appears when adding a new pick to the planner)
You can now drag players from lists correctly on the lineup screen if a list box is scrolled down
Minor improvements/fixes to Rosters page when 'Show Contract Info' is selected from display drop down

Updated rosters
Players do slightly better with more experience
Fix to losses column in standings pages
Slightly faster AI picks during live draft

The new season is almost upon us, and Executive Hockey has updated rosters and starting now, all new games begin with the 2019-2020 season.

New seasons now start in 2019-2020!
Rosters have been updated for 2019-2020 (more updates to come in the next few days as NHL rosters get finalized)
Defensemen are now split into two positions: left and right.
Multi-position support! Players can now have multiple positions, and can only be deployed to one of their described positions
Fixed missing offense/defense power numbers on lineup display screen
Much larger gaps between value of players at each of the different skill levels (minor leaguer, journeyman, core, star, franchise, generational)
Improved RFA signing contract values
Minor adjustments to the distribution of points to players based on position type (i.e. forward vs defense)
Lineup display no longer makes 'thicker' gradients behind player names when players are moved around
On the live draft screen, the 'Draft' button is now on the right hand side of the popup

As usual, old games will not load correctly with the updated Executive Hockey. After Early Access ends, we will be much more careful to ensure we do not break backward compatibility.

There are quite a few new features, changes and fixes in the August update, available now. Below is a full list, starting with the biggest change, the ability to simulate a full month at a time (or even a full season). The AI will handle any lineup changes necessitated by injuries to your players during this automatic simulated period.

Added ability to sim til end of month or end of any upcoming month or end of season
Fixed sorting on most screens
Fixed bug where teams that were at the bottom of the standings were trying to make a championship run and teams at the top were rebuilding
Fixed variable column heights on team lists.
Fixed signings not showing on Moves screen
Numerous changes to player data
Modified how players get re-signed; signings happen over the course of the year instead of all up front
Players in trade situations are evaluated based now on their potential value, not their actual value. (for players under 'peak age', currently 28)
Signing / offer sheet page now tells you your maximum value for signing and enforces it
Added more protection against allowing rosters to go over cap
Contract extensions now shown under 'Signings' on Moves screen
Changed Lineups and Rosters button to Lineup and Roster
Added ellipsis to 'Sign' menu item on Free agents screen
Fixed 'Draft Lottery' event name on UpcomingGamesPanel
Strengthened draft pool
Shortened delay between draft picks
Fixed a rare crash during game play when a goalie changes while a game is being simulated.
Changed trade algorithm - if a UFA/RFA player gets traded during a season he will re-sign with the destination team
Improved younger players' power (under 20yo)
Slight improvement to 35-40yo power
Modified power of all six player types (journeyman, minor leaguer, core, star, franchise, generational)
Fixed bug when logging/listing re-signings so that the re-signing won't be listed twice if a player is signed and immediately extended
Increased value of first round picks
Reduced top age of available free agents from 29 to 27
Players now retire after age 30 if they are waived or released and not picked up elsewhere
Fixed bug in retirement algorithm so player leaves team after retiring.
Reduced likeliness of generational players being involved in trades
Changed algorithm for how teams decide what strategy to take