How To Play Nice With Fellow Owners

There is really no picture or logo needed this week but we have one below us anyway just for the readers.

Sometimes honesty and a little gentlemanly play does go a long way.  Why are we doing a short piece like that this week.  Simply because trade deadlines bring out the animal in everyone.  Now that almost every fantasy hockey league’s trade deadline is over, this is a good transitional piece because next week it is almost all playoffs, playoffs, playoffs from here on out.

Imagine the whole totality of the concept.  Yes as Fantasy Hockey GM’s, to borrow Herman Edwards for a second “you play to win the game!”.  That is absolutely true.  Style points often need not to apply here and honestly it is still not the way to go.  It is time to do this really quick because there is much going on in the fantasy hockey world as always.

STEP 1:  If you go inactive, do apologize.

Hey things do happen.  There are times when life, let’s face it, is just more important than anything in fantasy hockey.  The essential thing is not to dwell on it but to just simply apologize and move on.  Fellow league members can get over short or long periods of inactivity especially under special circumstances.

Not at least acknowledging one’s shortcomings just leads to more problems down the road.  Many times it has been said that being a professional involves more than just winning leagues.  It really takes just using a little courtesy when it does not quite go as well.  Remember that adage well in all aspects of fantasy hockey play.

STEP 2:  Do not be insulted by bad trade proposals.

The worst thing to do is go all in a huff over a bad trade proposal.  It has happened to everyone at one time or another.  Team A sends a package that was just god awful to Team B.  There is a way to handle it and then there is a way not to handle it.  Making reactionary trade proposals are the worst thing that can be done as it just looks like the kids are running the asylum. Then it often spills into the rest of the league.  League brass has to get involved and then things just spiral even more out of control.

That is just not the way to handle things.  If you see an insulting trade offer, the worst thing to do is make an issue out of it.  Just politely reject the trade and move on.  Sometimes offering an alternative right away gives the appearance of a reactionary deal.  This is all a moot point if the trade is reasonable close.  Offers that are just way too unequal are what we are discussing in this context.

STEP 3:  Take your bad beats well

Seriously no one likes a bad loser and at the same time, a winner who gloats way too much.  When you get beat down, do not take it out, just simply try and find ways to get better.  Swallow your pride and that is really how the mindset should be.  Do not get flustered and always work on the team not on how other fantasy GM’s treat you and your team.  The only thing you can control is you.

Also, playoff bad beats are an even bigger test.  With said playoffs nearing the corner, tiebreakers come into play that would not usually otherwise.  It is important to keep some feelings to oneself.  The goal is to learn to get better not just as a fantasy owner but in how you conduct yourself.  Do not be dumb about it.

STEP 4:  Life goes on

Fantasy hockey ends at some point and then life goes on.  For some of us it is a 12 month excursion but mostly it is a six month season with some preparation and insight in the off-season.  Even in the summer, there are mock drafts but these are not worth it to go hog wild into.  Again, the best thing is to learn from mistakes and improve.

This really is the last step and the hardest one to master.  Whether its trades, waiver moves, how you draft, or how your team fares, just keep a level head. Sure it is not very easy but the best GM’s are the one’s that execute this plan at the highest percentage.

Next week we will get you ready for those fantasy playoffs with an eye toward potential waiver pickups that could surprise. Localizing categories to wind may be that aspect that saves a playoff loss and turns it into a playoff win.  Good luck out there and see you next week.