A new update for Franchise Hockey Manager 4, version 4.1.40, has just been released.

This is the first major update for FHM4, and addresses the biggest outstanding problems reported after release. There are many other fixes and changes we still want to make, but the most critical things we could address in the space of a week are dealt with here. We're likely going to be looking at one or two more updates that are primarily bug-fixing before we can move on to making new additions (or other major changes that require extensive testing) to the game.

As always, we'll still be monitoring our forums and Facebook (FranchiseHockeyManager), Twitter (@FranchiseHockey), Reddit (/r/FranchiseHockey), etc. on a daily basis, answering questions and offering help as needed, so if you have any problems or suggestions, please let us know. Thanks for your continued support.

Changes in 4.1.40:

-roster data updated, NHL rosters are the opening-night versions (aside a few small additions/changes to represent last-minute moves properly)
-some tactics and tactical role requirements adjusted significantly; should significantly reduce or eliminate the problem with goons/checking forwards getting placed on top lines and good players on lower lines
IMPORTANT NOTE: these changes will not automatically apply to existing saves. However, you can add their effects to a save by copying the files "tactics.dat" and "player_roles.dat" from the \Documents\Out of the Park Developments\Franchise Hockey Manager 4\quickstart_games\OpeningDay.quick folder to your save folder (i.e., the folder in saved_games with the .lg extension and the name of your saved game), overwriting the versions of the files that are currently there. Note that while the while this will immediately affect the way the AI chooses its lineup, it may take up to one season for it to use the new data to choose better tactics for AI-run teams.)
-tactical role fit scores adjusted to increase the penalties for players playing at their non-20-rated position, making it less likely for the AI to use players out of position
-first NHL expansion will now add only one team instead of two (also fixes AHL/ECHL scheduling problem for expansion team affiliates and the missing farm teams for one of the new expansion teams)
-the waiver warning PM a human NHL player receives right before the start of the season now displays those players properly instead of being blank
-AI in top-level league in custom games should now send younger players to the minors instead of keeping them in the main roster, and top-level leagues are no longer forced to return junior-aged players to the junior league
-possible refusal of two-way contract by entry level contract-eligible player fixed
-possible crash when player requests number change fixed
-playoff stats no longer disappear from the roster and league stats views after the first season
-the red borders that indicate primary and secondary roles when selecting a tactical role are now dashed to improve visibility for colourblind users
-some highlight modes on the in-game display will no longer cause the game to skip past goals
-goalie start settings should now work properly instead of possibly causing the user's goalie to start every game
-in the pregame and postgame screens, the last games/previous meetings section is now sorted chronologically
-historical financial adjustments file corrected to include budget amounts in the 1917-1930 years (so budgets will now be on the same scale as everything else)
-"Iron Curtain" rule for historical games (preventing signing of Soviet-block players) should now be applied properly
-NHL contracted-player limits increased during the Original 6 years (i.e. 40s through 60s)
-NHL contract lengths restricted in the last few seasons before the WHA arrives to simulate teams responding complacently to the impending end of the reserve clause
-roster and lineup sizes reduced in the first 30 or so years of historical play, particularly in the earliest seasons; AI seems to handle it well so far, and should help with roster-filling difficulties in some start years
-best defensive forward award now more likely to go to a checking forward
-adjusted rookie of the year criteria to make wins by players with low GP less likely
-adjusted coach tactical preferences and goalie quality in the NHL slightly to get goal totals back closer to real levels
-achievements will no longer show the wrong popup and in-game version of the achievement
-achievement for winning lower-level international tournaments should now be awarded correctly
-Oilers historical challenge victory now triggeres correctly after the 5th Stanley Cup win
-player contract cap hits no longer editable without commissioner mode turned on
-clicking a retired player in the alumni list (possible if the player retires in mid-season) no longer causes a crash
-international game previews and recaps no longer show data for NHL teams in the recent meetings/head-to-head, injuries, and rankings sections
-custom leagues now have sound
-CHL rights for un-owned 15-19-year-old Canadians and Americans now set correctly: WHL/OHL/QMJHL teams will now be able to sign undrafted players directly from midget, Junior B, etc. at the start of the game
-score no longer reversed in "player participated in international game" news
-updated preset injury list
-players added to a shortlist via a right-click on the "Active Scouting" tab of the scouting screen no longer fail to move to the shortlist
-if a shopped player gets no offers, user will get a message to acknowledge that
-clicking edit in the workshop interface with the workshop already open in the Steam client no longer causes a crash
-crowd sounds now automatically restart after a goal when watchin in Full Game mode
-fixed league finals name failing to appear in some news stories
-various small text, formatting, and graphical changes