Roto Exclusive : Guest Contributions and Featured Articles

To that end an important principle of negotiating is to know your fallback position, also known
as the principle of the Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA). This principle translates to
the idea of transitioning to contending in the sense that it is important to understand that if the price of
becoming a contender is too high another year of rebuilding and developing must be considered an
option. It may also be possible to take small steps and bring the team closer without actually making the
major jump. Remember the transition does not have to happen all in one season/off-season. The
smaller steps will only make it easier to make the jump the following year. The price needed to become
a contender will come from the answers to the questions asked about the state of the team and the
league. Knowing the team and the league will help to accurately assess what the team/organization
needs and what everyone else needs. It will dictate the supply and demand for players that will help in
the transition and the players that can be moved to acquire more immediate assets. Furthermore,
knowing the transitioning team will help make sure the pieces acquired will help now and make sense
long-term.
In closing, the transition from rebuilding to contending does not have to happen in one offseason
or one season. Constantly re-assessing the state of any rebuilding team/organization will inform
the decision of when to transition. A rebuilding team that is a ways from the transition stage may be
catapulted forward because of a trade, an NHL development or league developments. Keeping an open
mind will allow the smart fantasy hockey manager to take advantage of any number of these factors to
transition at the right time.
4. My Personal Example
For me, last year was supposed to be another year in the
bottom 10 of a 30 team salary cap dynasty league. During the year
I focused on consolidating some of my prospect depth and some
veteran talent for more elite NHL-ready prospects. In doing so I
acquired Mikael Granlund and Brayden Schenn. During the year
the emergence of Mike Smith vaulted me into the middle of the
league, he was a gamble that paid off much more than I had dared
to hope. When I realized the price I desired for Smith was not
forthcoming I realized I had a decision on my hands. Two teams deciding to go into rebuilding mode
helped make my decision for me. I was able to acquire Dustin Byfuglien late last season and then this
off-season I upgraded my forwards to Martin Erat, Milan Lucic, Patrice Bergeron and Erik Cole from
David Jones, Devin Setoguchi, Matt Cullen and Paul Gaustad as I needed to build on my core of Tavares,
Seguin, Jack Johnson, Hedman, Gardiner and Mike Smith. These acquisitions also mean that I do not
need Tarasenko, B Schenn, Mikeal Granlund, Leblanc, Tyson Barrie and Brendan Smith to make major
contributions. While this cost some of my prospect depth, along with some added depth, I now believe
myself to be on the verge of the top 10 in my league. I have also made sure that I still have a number of
top prospects on the way, such as Markstrom, Dumba and Joe Colborne.
~ Doran Libin
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