"Boston is on Line 1. They're offering a 1st Round Pick for our Captain. He's 34, pending UFA, and we're only 2 points out of a playoff spot. The deadline is in 5 minutes."
Built for depth. Simulation, not just calculation.
The league doesn't just simulate stats. It generates chaos. Beat writers question your decisions, locker rooms fracture, and rivalries ignite organically.
Progression isn't linear. Injuries and morale derail careers.
Forecheck angles, gap control, and system matching.
The pre-season matters. Invite PTOs, manage split-squad games, and watch position battles unfold in real-time. That 18-year-old rookie might just steal a job from your veteran captain.
Forget static sliders. In Rinkside GM, you submit structured offers and receive contextual responses from AI agents. Each agent has unique personalities, memories of past deals, and hidden agendas that shape their counter-offers.
"I don't care about your advanced stats. I care about winning battles in the corners. Keep your hair short."
"We're all in. I'm willing to move our 1st rounder for the next three years if it gets us a Cup now."
They aren't just scripts waiting to accept a fair trade. They are competitors. If you fleece them in 2025, they won't pick up your phone calls in 2026.
The AI simulates pressure from ownership, fan sentiment, and job security. A GM on the hot seat will make desperate moves. A GM with a long leash will build slowly.
Confidential // Team Eyes Only
"Elite hands. Can stickhandle in a phone booth. The highlight reel is insane."
Warning Note:
"Watched him in warmups. Lazy. Hates backchecking. Argued with coach twice. This kid is a locker room cancer waiting to happen. Do not touch in Top 10."
Numbers lie. A prospect might score 50 goals in Juniors, but if he has a "Low Work Ethic" personality trait, he'll bust in the big leagues.
Configure your league structure—conferences, divisions, teams per division—and watch as AI generates complete teams with rosters, staff, and history. Every team is unique, with its own market size, strategic direction, and personality.
One tier. Full access. No pay-to-win mechanics.
This agreement is made between Rinkside GM (The League) and The User (You).
By signing below, you agree to take full control of a franchise, accepting all pressure, scrutiny, and glory that comes with the position.
No. Rinkside GM is a premium simulation experience. We do not believe in "energy mechanics," loot boxes, or pay-to-win. Your subscription covers the server costs for the Generative AI engine that powers every negotiation and rival GM interaction.
The base game ships with a fictional universe to respect trademarks. All teams, players, and prospects are AI-generated to create a unique hockey world for each league.
Yes. Rinkside GM is a responsive web application. You can manage your team from your phone browser, tablet, or desktop. The UI adapts to your device.
Absolutely. Ownership expectations are real. If you lose the locker room, miss the playoffs consistently, or mismanage the cap, you will be relieved of your duties. You'll then have to interview for open jobs with other (likely rebuilding) teams to salvage your career.
We simulate a full 7-round entry draft every offseason. Prospects are generated with deep profiles including hidden injury history, personality traits (e.g., "Coach's Son" or "Party Animal"), and ceiling/floor potential. Your scouts' accuracy depends on their budget and region coverage.
Yes, multiplayer is fully supported! When creating a league, you can invite other General Managers via email. All human GMs and AI GMs participate in a randomized team draft to select their franchises. You can choose between Manual simulation (you control when days advance) or Auto simulation (the league runs automatically in the background with configurable pacing). Solo mode is also available if you prefer to play alone.
Solo Mode: You play alone with AI GMs filling the remaining teams. This setting cannot be changed after league creation. Multiplayer Mode: Invite friends via email to join your league. All human GMs draft teams in a randomized order, then AI GMs fill any remaining slots. Multiplayer leagues can run on auto-simulation schedules, making them perfect for "always on" worlds that advance even when you're offline.