Lack of players in Drafts
 

I just completed the 2018 draft and there were only 43 players for all the teams to choose from, in total. This happened in my 2017 as well, and I thought it was just a one time glitch. It sucks when one has 11 picks themselves lol.

For the most part, the historical database only includes players who actually played in the NHL, which limits the number of players in the late 2010's drafts since many of them haven't played in the NHL yet. I've been gradually expanding that to include guys who haven't played in the league yet, so there are now usually at least a couple of rounds' worth for each draft, but the drafts in those years will always be a little smaller than in earlier seasons until I finish adding every drafted player.

I started in 2004 and hadn't noticed a problem, except to round 6 or 7. I did start a previous game in 2019 (FHM6), and it had a regular draft I believe. Will it work in FHM7?
It sure messes with the numbers in the minors, when you can't replenish.

I started a historical in 1996 and I think back then it was 10 rounds - I usually only had enough players for 6 to 8 rounds. At some point, it changed to 7 rounds (or maybe I changed it manually before it was set to happen) and I usually had enough for at least 6 rounds, sometimes 7.

I never really thought it was a huge deal as I really had not seen any players picked in the 7th round (or the 6th) that had any impact in historical. There's probably not that many after round 4 either.

Ok, my 2017-2018 draft (historical) only had 64 players in it so it barely made it into the third round - that is a bit more problematic as opposed to running out in the 7th or even 6th round

edit: seems to be getting worse. My 2018-2019 draft had just 44 players.

Yea. that was what I was talking about. I have been loading up on second round picks, and ditching the rest, and still can only get a couple. Its missing alot of players. 2019 was the same, and am hoping that the generator will at least create more.

I don't know how hard it would be to do, but at least list all the names who were drafted that year. Then allow random ability generation??

Just an update as I finally got back to this save... The 2019-2020 draft had 23 players total so I didn't even get my 2nd round pick.

I understand the drafts in the late 2010s will be small but I'm hoping in FHM8 there would be an option we can check to have the AI create fictional players so every draft class has a minimum of X number of players....

I'm also hoping the 2020-2021 draft will start creating fictional players (or maybe I need to get to the 2021-22 draft for that to happen?)

Just an update as I finally got back to this save... The 2019-2020 draft had 38 players total so I didn't even get my 2nd round pick.

I understand the drafts in the late 2010s will be small but I'm hoping in FHM8 there would be an option we can check to have the AI create fictional players so every draft class has a minimum of X number of players....

I'm also hoping the 2020-2021 draft will start creating fictional players (or maybe I need to get to the 2021-22 draft for that to happen?)

Has this been adjusted in the current version?



I'm curious, do newly generated player eventually appear?

Yes, 2021-2022 it finally generated to where 217 players were drafted. Same for 2022-23 (my current season in that save, but I assume from here on out it should be okay).


Prior to that:
2013-14: 187 players
2014-15: 183 players
2015-16: 135 players
2016-17: 91 players
2017-18: 64 players
2018-19: 44 players
2019-20: 38 players
2020-21: 31 players


So I would caution not to trade for 2nd round picks or later in those last few years as you likely won't be able to use them and to try and build your team up as much as possible because those later years are so lean.

I think that an introduction of fictional players should be considered in all historical NHL Entry drafts. Historical saves aren't meant to replicate real life entirely, so why not throw in some fictional players?

Yes 10 years ago an average of only 70 players per draft ever played a single NHL game (one game!) That's 2.33 rounds of players per draft. I'm sure it's more now. More like 3 rounds.

So what is the point of drafting players who have no impact on the NHL. Historical drafts need only be 2 or 3 rounds. Everyone after that is half star potential. It just clutters up a database that is already too cluttered with peripheral nonsense.

What is an issue is that AI teams will trade a mid 1st round pick for a 5th and a 6th (which usually don't exist, and shouldn't). A lot of house rules needed so you don't fleece the AI teams and win easily. Playing against other human beings is really all there is/or ever will be. Maybe someday we can do this through an OOTP website. :D