Subject: Questions & Answers

You are not literally forced to let him leave.
Big and rich clubs will not try to grab your oldie, because he will train slow and will not be better than their young players by OR for sure.
We have this situation now in hockey. I just can't imagine some club from top 10 (not even me from top 100) to even take a look at those kind of players.
Only small clubs will eventually chase your old player, and in most cases - they won't succeed.

...they won't succeed buying him, because you have the upper hand.

Since you know the system better than me, because of the time you've been playing Hockey, I'll calm... ;-P

But still, some average team, as you say, can make my day!

You will decide whether to pay some extra bonus or to let him go for half the top bidding value as a compensation to you. In fact, if you let him go, it´s almost like you sold him with 50% tax. If you decide to keep him, he will have his contract for more 336 days.

Actually, the system is more wealth distributive than concentrative, thus, it´s (if wisely used) better for the less developed teams.

Well, maybe you'll be the one chasing those old players from rich clubs...who knows
It's an interesting option once when you get to know it better.

I see... So how to fight against that situation, as the owner club? To have always a good bunch of money ready and "immobilized"?

Uh damn, just had a crash and my long answer is gone now.
So I keep it short:

- I think it's important to keep in mind the managers 'happiness' when you change a working system. Free agents in football would just not 'feel' right. I know I'm not the only one thinking like that (at least in germany).
- Before player contracts expire clubs try to renew them. Could also be done here, maybe at the cost of a (very) high salary increase (so you will also draw money out). If that fails, a player goes directly to the TM. Seems much more like football to me.

Sure, from the point of view of economics, it's a an excellent distributive method... But from the p.o.w. of sport team plannings, just a headache! ;-P

No, no. At that time money won't be a problem to you. At least not that kind of money old player would ask for keeping him in club.

That´s kind of a headache, or looking at the bright side (as said Popeye) a very interesting option and another alternative, (or constraint lol) to look at when planning your team´s evolution.

...and Popeye agrees with Jorgenius

Trust me, free agents are good thing..

Well, maybe, maybe not. I think we have not seen the FA market in full blossom.

Well, I'dont see any good thing for a club like mine, without buying a single player and built only with home players but, heck, if it's great for the majority seems fair to me! ;-P

What harmony here. Alkeis, Popeye, jorgenius, all joining hands and singing free agent kumbaya. Brrr...