About the NHL GM Game
What if you were given $60.8 million and six roster spots to build a hockey team capable of beating one of the greatest teams in NHL history? That's the challenge behind 84-0's 60–8 Game.
The target is the 1976–77 Montreal Canadiens, who finished their 80-game season with a remarkable 60-8-12 record. Your job is to build a team that can survive the same schedule and ultimately beat them.
How does the NHL GM Game work?
You start with a $60.8 million salary cap and six roster positions to fill: center, left wing, right wing, two defensemen and a goalie.
Each spin lands on a random franchise-era combination and gives you a player you can sign at a specific price. The better the player, the more of your cap you may have to spend.
That creates the main strategic decision: do you spend heavily on a superstar or spread the money across the entire roster?
How does the NHL salary cap work?
Every signing comes out of your $60.8 million budget. Once you've spent the money, there's no magic extra pile of cash waiting for you.
A couple of expensive contracts can leave you with very little room for the remaining positions. That's where the game gets interesting. A slightly lower-rated player at the right price could give you a stronger roster than another superstar who consumes a huge part of your budget.
You also need to leave enough flexibility to complete all six positions.
What positions do you need to fill?
Your roster consists of six players: one center, one left wing, one right wing, two defensemen and one goalie.
You also get to hire a coach after building your roster. The coach doesn't count against the salary cap, but their rating can still influence the outcome of your team.
Playing someone out of position is also possible, but their rating takes a hit, so filling the correct positions can be just as important as finding high-rated players.
What happens after I build my team?
Once your roster and coach are ready, the simulation begins.
Your team plays through the same 80-game season used by the 1976–77 Canadiens, including the ties that were part of the NHL standings at the time. After that, your team gets its ultimate test: a matchup against the legendary 60–8 Canadiens.
The goal isn't simply to assemble the highest-rated roster. You need a team that works within the cap and performs well across a long season.
Can I build a better team than the 1976–77 Canadiens?
That's the entire challenge.
The Canadiens went 60-8-12 and finished with 132 points, giving you an extremely difficult benchmark to beat. You won't have access to an unlimited budget, either, so every signing has a cost.
A roster filled with superstars might look unbeatable on paper, but spending too much early can leave major holes elsewhere. The best strategy may be finding players who give you the most value for every dollar.
Spin carefully, manage your money and see whether your front office can build a team capable of taking down one of hockey's greatest squads.
More NHL Games
Keep testing your hockey knowledge with more NHL games on 84-0:
Full rules, records and strategy live in the GM Mode game guide.
THE VILLAINS · 1976-77 CANADIENS