I am constantly receiving e-mails, tweets, and messages on the DobberHockey forums asking for trade advice. It is always good to get a second (and third) opinion, as there are many biases that can cloud your ability to accurately evaluate a potential transaction.

The same player can have a very different fantasy hockey value depending on rules and scoring categories specific to each league. A very simple example is to analyze a 70-point center. Most leagues differentiate between centers and wingers, and in general the center ice position is deeper in terms of talent than either wing. If a league doesn’t differentiate between the forward positions, a 70-point center and a 70-point winger hold exactly the same value. In most leagues where forwards are categorized by left wing, center, and right wing, a 70-point center is roughly worth a 62 or 63-point winger (again, just an example).

However, there are four rules with regards to trading that are applicable in almost every single type of league. It doesn’t matter if you count hits, blocked shots, giveaways, takeaways, or shootout goals in addition to the more typical stats. I am always able to apply at least one of the following rules to every single trade I evaluate for DobberHockey readers and members.

Writing for the guide (and the site) brings me nothing but joy, but it has also seriously hampered my ability to trade in my own pools. All of my competitors know about and read the site on a daily basis, and I am very open with my thoughts on players, teams, sleepers, overrated players, and so on. When I propose a trade, my trading partner is usually quick to a) reject the trade, and b) post it on the forums and ask for opinions.

Anyway, that’s enough complaining for now. Simply put, if you want to become more successful in your hockey league(s), read these rules, apply them, reread them, and reapply them. I have won many pools and helped others win many pools by strictly following them. Enjoy!

To find out what the four rules are... pick up the 2010-11 DobberHockey Fantasy Guide! Released August 1st and updated on a regular basis right up until the puck drops in early October.

Comments (12)

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Bo said:

	... “The Dove ad was also my idea, in case you were wondering!” Damn you!!
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July 15, 2010
Votes: +1

KJ said:

KJ's Four Golden Rules for Fantasy Trading Rule #1: Hype your own player in a forum under a fake ID and then unload said player to the first unsuspecting manager. Rule #2: Falsely write about a rumored player's injury/personal problems/knee problems/possible move to the KHL/spousal abuse/problem with another player in a forum under a fake ID and then hit the owner with a low-ball. Rule #3: Always sell potentials for proven performances. Rule #4: Don't read forums.

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July 15, 2010
Votes: +2

angus said:

	... The Dove ad was also my idea, in case you were wondering! It's not like this stuff is groundbreaking, I have posted it dozens of times on the forums, in the ramblings, and in my articles. I just have yet to really sit down, collect my thoughts, and write out concrete definitions and explanations for each one.
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July 15, 2010
Votes: +0

Bo said:

	... Angus the article got my interest & I look forward to reading it the guide that I will be buying (as I do every year). It just is frustrating because you hype it up and then we can’t read it. Which probably is good marketing, kind of like a movie trailer for the guide, just expect some people to be a little “WTF man” about it. & honestly that Dove ad sucked and it froze my screen
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July 15, 2010
Votes: +0

Jason Bowden said:

	whoa guys stop it haters, we all love free content, but give them a break on this. I look forward to the guide
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July 15, 2010
Votes: +0

angus said:

	... Wasn't expecting this... The site has an immense amount of free content out daily, and it is currently the middle of July. Just trying to drum up some interest in the guide. I apologize for wasting the five seconds of your day it took to click and read this preview.
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July 15, 2010
Votes: +0

NatureX said:

	... What are you all complaining about he does enough helping free on the site...
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July 15, 2010
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David said:

	... it shouldn't say "a preview," it should say "an advertisement."
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July 15, 2010
Votes: +0

Bo said:

Marketing You click on the article expecting to learn something but instead get the sales pitch, which is fine Dobber is getting the word out as he should be. I do think this article may have been more affective if it was posted after the guide was released, then people wouldn’t get so frustrated by it. But oh well. Speaking of frustration I went to post what I just said and a Dove add pops up with a video I could care less about, and the ad completely freezes my site. That’s really enough marketing for one morning. I regret clicking on this article

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July 15, 2010
Votes: -1

GMGates said:

	... Can't wait to click on downloads August 1st! The best thing that I like is that you can find any player simply by pressing ctrl+f. It's amazing
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July 15, 2010
Votes: +0

YearOfTheFish said:

	Well.. At least there's the (preview) disclaimer on article. ps: like the 4 tips are going to be earth shattering to a Dobberite anways...
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July 15, 2010
Votes: -1

Mike said:

Disapointed So basically this is an article disguised as "trading tips" to get people to click on it, but don't actually talk about trading tips at all. Instead it's a "bait and switch" where you don't provide any tips or insight on trades at all but instead tell us to buy the guide to find out. Really disapointing. Instead of posting an article about trade tips, just post in the rambling that the guide has your trading tips so we should buy it. I'd be fine with that. This article? Not so much. Shame on you.

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July 15, 2010
Votes: +5