FHM Ottawa Senators Historical Challenge April-Draft Day 1998: A Team on the Rise

Franchise Hockey Manager 6 is a text-based hockey management simulation game by Out of the Park Developments. It’s a lot of fun, and I find it super realistic. I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a good way to kill time while social distancing.

In the game, you take over as GM and/or head coach of pretty much any hockey team on the planet, and make roster moves to bring your team a championship. The CPU plays the games for you, but you craft the team.

One of the coolest game modes is the Historical Challenges, wherein you take over as GM of a team at a particular point in their NHL existence, and attempt to relive or rewrite history. For the purposes of this play-through, we’ll be taking over the Ottawa Senators in the Fall of 1996, and attempting to win a Stanley Cup no later than the spring of 2007.

For the purposes of this little exercise, I’m going to play through this mode, trying to win a Cup for the Sens, with help from you - yes you - the readers! At the end of every edition, I’ll ask you questions about key roster moves, and make it based on how you respond!

We’re going to take this on a month-by-month basis, with a new installment coming out every week, so make sure you let me know in the comments what you want to see, and any suggestions you have to achieve this goal! I want to make this as interactive an experience as possible, so I really want to hear from you!

Let’s run through the 1998 playoffs, and begin the offseason!

You guys seemed to buy into us being the underdog.

Game 1 tended to agree with you. The shots on goal totals remained close, but we took a 5-2 defeat in our first ever playoff game. Bryan McCabe and Chris Drury had the goals.

On a brighter note, we rewarded John Madden for a great season with a three-year extension.

Rangers lead series 1-0

We responded well in Game 2, chasing Mike Richter in a 7-5 win. Daniel Alfredsson scored his first playoff hat trick, with Madden, Glen Wesley, Robert Lang, and Pavel Bure also chipping in.

Series tied 1-1

The veteran Rangers came back strong in Game 4. We got goals from Jozef Stumpel and Michael Nylander, but they doubled us up on home ice.

Rangers lead series 2-1

And they put us on the brink, with a 3-1 defeat in Game 4. Wesley scored the only goal, and we actually lost Pavel Bure to injury. Martin St. Louis draws back in.

Rangers lead series 3-1

And that’s that. Our season ends in a 6-1 drubbing, with Rob Zamuner putting in the only goal.

Rangers win series 4-1

Season MVP: Ron Tugnutt: (66GP, 31-22-10, 2.30GAA 928SV%, 7SO)

Most Improved: John Madden (82GP, 10G, 20A, 30P)

Rookie of the Year: Chris Drury (34GP, 1G, 5A, 6P)

Skipping ahead through the offseason, the Colorado Avalanche defeated the New Jersey Devils, to become the 1998 Stanley Cup Champions.

Magnus Arvedson was also signed to a contract extension.

Okay, question time.

The Nashville Predators are entering their first season, which means we have to go through an expansion draft. We were able to protect most of our key players, but unfortunately, we lost Ron Tugnutt to the league’s new squad.

That puts us in a position where we could use another goaltender. Lalime is developing nicely, but at only 1.5 stars, it could be worthwhile to not thrust him into a starting role just yet.

I’ve identified a trade.

It’s a bit steep, but we’re about sign Dan Boyle, who would fill Salei’s spot, and we have Joe Thornton to take over for Drury. The third rounder is whatever, as we know.

Dafoe is actually a little better than Tugnutt, and has the numbers to prove it. With only two years left on his deal, we could let him walk when Lalime is ready if we so wish.

So, what say you?

Byron Dafoe...

Make sure you vote on the poll, and check back next week for the next instalment!