Well I started a franchise last week, with Toronto. I am using these rules:
http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums...pic.php?t=4462
Basically I can do any trades or free agent pick-ups in the first season. And I can only do two trades a year after the first season. As well as different tiers of free agents.
I am using the original 2006/07 roster
My team did terrible, we got last in the league with only 67 (last season we won the cup. Ironic?) points. And lost the draft lottery to New York Islanders. But I had an amazing draft picking up London Knight teammates Sam Gagne at #2 and Patrick Kane at #32.
I picked up Jason Blake and Byran Berard in the free agency. And traded Byran McCabe to Boston for Marco Sturm who is a must needed left winger and Mark Stuart a must need defensemen.