So Scouting for Drafts and Stuff

[JigglyGumballs 1,056]

So because I can't milk the ever loving shit of a previous article anymore (at least I think I do), why not make another one? So for this week I wanna dive back into my personal experience and insights on GMing/AGMing by taking a look at how I scout for players. It's no secret that I tend to share what I do in the VHL. Whether if it was when I was an AGM or now, I tend to just provide insights based on mostly my own experience. Why do I do it? I really don't know. I just need TPE lol. If I can think of a reason, I think it's just interesting to see how a GM goes through things. I can guarantee that there's some things behind the scenes that the GMs do. And franky, showing a tiny bit of the behind the scenes stuff is honestly quite interesting to any other member. At least that's how I see it. I also hope that by showing a bit more on what happens every now and then behind the scenes, it'll help inspire(?) some of the newer people to take up GMing one day. Not actually sure if this is what you call the right process of inspiring people to be interested in running a team in the VHL, but hey some information might come in handy the next time you're applying for a job in the VHL. So yeah, let's just get on with it.

 

So unless you're the VSN, which their draft ranking is often suited for the VHL instead of the VHLM, I don't really start scouting until closer to the trade deadline. At latest near the end of the season. Why? Well first, scouting does take a bit of time, and because I have a personal life, I may want to take time in scouting. Secondly, by starting your scouting by the trade deadline, you allow yourself to get familiar with those in the top 3 or so rounds in the draft. As they tend to be much more easier to see if they're going to be good come the draft. Allowing you to spend more time sorting out the inactives and/or hidden gems in the later rounds. In all honesty, you're going to spend the most time scouting the later rounds in the VHLM. As for the actual scouting, I first take a look at the draft board. Sometimes its in the portal, or in a google sheet (when I was an AGM because I'm brain dead on setting up on my own draft board), but what I would do is look up the draft board, and look at where some players are relative to where I think my picks would be. It's a rough way to narrow my search. As it's more likely that inactives will definitely cause the active players you're scouting for to move up in draft rankings. However, narrowing your search does help in either finding someone who you can take, or whether or not you're confident to make a reach of a pick/move up in the draft. Next is actually taking a look at the player's page. Through that page you can get a look at how they've earned TPE over time. I'm pretty sure this is the most obvious part of scouting. Sometimes if you did do your scouting early, you can track their TPE growth over time. I wanna make sure that, especially in the later rounds, you're NOT looking for max earners. As they're likely all in the first round or so. Most people tend to be clickers, or those who just claim practice facility and welfare. And that's okay. Remember that the VHL is a hobby for most, and only those who are truly invested in the league will put in the work.  Those guys are often already in the top rounds anyways. The main priorities are getting someone who will still earn and be a good fit for your team and finding someone who you think will be a good locker room presence. Anyways, regarding people who you think will be a good presence in the locker room, you next check their profile on the forum. See what they've done in the VHL. Most of the time you won't be able to find much if you're looking for gems, but getting a good look at their profile, and taking a better look at when they were last online, you will definitely get a better impression of the player.

 

At this point, you've narrowed down your search to a few players who you have the most confidence in. This is where you reach out to them, send them a couple of questions and hope for a response. Even with those who you might choose if the others are no longer available, reach out to them. A good chunk of the time, especially if the player created during playoffs/offseason, they just don't know what to do. So reaching out to them is the best way to determine if they're going to be active or not. The VSN doesn't really reach out to a bunch of 50 TPE players, but this form of scouting is more so from a GMing perspective. Once you've reached out to the player, and they've responded. Try and keep the conversation going. This again is more suited for players who created in the postseason, but it does help keep their interest in the league. To remind you, a VHLM GM's job is to retain new players and help them pave the road for a full 8 season career. Creating in the post season is honestly the worst time. Teams can't get you in the lineup, and you have to wait for draft before you have any idea in what you're doing. Because of that, it's key that you reach out to them and keep their interest in the league. Invite them to your LR, give them help in how to earn TPE, anything to keep them interested. One thing for certain that you have to make clear when reaching out for them, is that you cannot guarantee that you're going to draft them. Anything can happen, but it's good to just be there when they need help getting settled. I can say for certain that peeps like @Ledge_and_Dairy, @Crstats23, and @Rhynex Entertainment were all late round picks and are now doing pretty good in the VHL. So putting in the effort of reaching out to players, and giving them the incentive to be active in the league works out.

 

So yeah. That's how I would scout in drafts. I know I went off in a bit of a tangent in terms of "muh GM duties" and stuff, but yeah. I hope this helps for anyone looking for a job in GMing in some way. Maybe it can help you get hired. I also want to clarify that I'm not a perfect GM. If anything, my first few trades during this last draft is a testament to the fact that I still have much to learn. Heck all of my trades is basically a testament to my GM noobness. Anyways, hope you enjoy this long read or so. I'll see y'all the next time I need TPE.

 

(1219 words)

[JigglyGumballs 1,056]

Claiming week (1/2)

[Peace 1,562]

Interesting article! 

Thought maybe I'd put in my experience a little, but I don't want to seem like I'm high jacking the thread or anything. I found during my time as a VHLM GM that scouting wasn't really required, and quickly discovered that it was more or less just something fun we could do to get people engaged a little more. My VHLM GM tenure was from S63-S69, so I never really had to scout the prospects that were released for the VHLM Dispersal Draft. It didn't help that my strategy was to go all out every three seasons and try to win a championship for the roster and the individuals who were moving up to the VHL.

 

But I learned as a VHL GM that scouting was more important than I realized, especially after the leagues' activity exploded. My first couple of selections were okay -- despite them going inactive on me due to IRL reasons -- but I certainly made a few blunders before I understood what I was doing wrong. I drafted a few players that other GMs already knew would never make the VHL for one reason or another, and had I put the time into scouting I would have discovered that as well. Since those hard learnt lessons I've put a lot more effort into scouting at the VHL level. 

Edited April 9, 2021 by Peace

[NerdyCowz 55]

review: i like seeing GM thoughts and for the draft. i like the article and seeing these things posted. you have good formatting as a writer. your take on the new creates was very interesting take and i liked the willingness to keeping new members engaged to stay long term. good article! 

 

8.5/10 

 

[NerdyCowz 55]

review: i like seeing GM thoughts and for the draft. i like the article and seeing these things posted. you have good formatting as a writer. your take on the new creates was very interesting take and i liked the willingness to keeping new members engaged to stay long term. good article! 

 

8.5/10 

 

[BOOM 8,846]

20 hours ago, Peace said:

 

 

Since those hard learnt lessons I've put a lot more effort into scouting at the VHL level. 

 

Apparently not enough. How you ended up with guys like Kaberle and Welch I'll never know. 

 

Next draft, may I suggest.... 

 

[Hoopydog 195]

Quality media spot this. It's really nice to get an insight into what goes into VHLM scouting and you give quite a good look into that. The article is laid out quite well so it is quite easy to read. Maybe you could use a couple headings just to break it up that bit more. Overall, very nice job!!

 

9/10

[JigglyGumballs 1,056]

Claiming week (2/2)