Franchise Mode simulating sucks

I don't know if it's built into the game or not, but having that much talent should actually hurt the team overall. Your second line could be a first line on most teams meaning they aren't getting the minutes needed. You have an 87 overall third pair defenseman who should be playing top 4 minutes easily. I've built teams like this and they never really win. When I scale back though and leave my third pair both around 80 and 2nd pair around 85-87 I always start winning games.

Building a balanced roster I usually sim to where I have 42 wins easily by the trade deadline. Too players need too minutes and when your third pair forwards are equivalent to some first lines they will never get going the way they need too. I'd trade some of those assets for picks and more utility players. It also helps manage the cap that way too.

/r/EA_NHL Thread Parent