Computer Demotes Players to ECHL

BeefBouillon · 12-04-2022, 10:24 PM

Background: I started my playthrough as an unemployed GM/Coach and took job offers to progress.

I've run into an issue as I'm playing as the GM/Coach of the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL.

The computer-controlled Edmonton Oilers has demoted a majority of their players under contract from the AHL to the ECHL, leaving the AHL affiliate with barely enough players.

I have almost nothing in the free agency budget, and would be unable to sign any more players in the event of injury.

This is an issue that's been detrimental to gameplay, and something that feels illogical for the AI to do.

JeffR · 12-07-2022, 08:21 AM

If you have a large number of players signed to the AHL team, it's possible that the AI might do something like this, although this definitely looks like an extreme case. What does the Bakersfield depth chart screen look like now.

You would still be able to continue in the case of a player shortage, though - the game will let you sign cheap replacements if you're in a position where you havea a game to play but don't have enough players left to fill out a lineup.

BeefBouillon · 12-08-2022, 02:50 AM

Ah, I figured I signed too many players. I hovered around 15-20 AHL players when this happened.

Fortunately I got through the season, with many games playing either 8 defensemen or using defensemen in forward spots.

Is there an optimal number of players to carry at the AHL level so this doesn't happen?

JeffR · 12-08-2022, 03:19 PM

Ideally you would- keep it under 10 until the NHL preseason ends and you know what you're getting, but the AHL preseason starts before then and you're going to need players for those games. I think we need to make some adjustments to the way the minor league preseasons work to avoid that situation. Basically, though, the answer is "as few as you can get away with" until you get the NHL demotions.

BeefBouillon · 12-09-2022, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffR

I think we need to make some adjustments to the way the minor league preseasons work to avoid that situation. .

Perhaps free agent tryout invites at the AHL level can be an easy and realistic fix? I quickly searched to see if that was a thing, and it does appear that AHL teams on occasion do invite free agents to try out during camp.

I don't believe offering tryouts at the AHL level are an option at the moment.

JeffR · 12-12-2022, 01:05 AM

Going to try limiting the length and start dates of the preseasons first. Tryouts were deliberately set as NHL-only, since it'd get very messy if there were tryouts at multiple levels and they didn't all end at the same time (which they won't, because the preseasons end on different dates.)

12-04-2022, 10:24 PM	#1
BeefBouillon Bat Boy Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 5	Computer Demotes Players to ECHL Background: I started my playthrough as an unemployed GM/Coach and took job offers to progress. I've run into an issue as I'm playing as the GM/Coach of the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL. The computer-controlled Edmonton Oilers has demoted a majority of their players under contract from the AHL to the ECHL, leaving the AHL affiliate with barely enough players. I have almost nothing in the free agency budget, and would be unable to sign any more players in the event of injury. This is an issue that's been detrimental to gameplay, and something that feels illogical for the AI to do. Attached Images

12-07-2022, 08:21 AM	#2
JeffR FHM Producer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Kelowna, BC Posts: 17,243	If you have a large number of players signed to the AHL team, it's possible that the AI might do something like this, although this definitely looks like an extreme case. What does the Bakersfield depth chart screen look like now. You would still be able to continue in the case of a player shortage, though - the game will let you sign cheap replacements if you're in a position where you havea a game to play but don't have enough players left to fill out a lineup.

12-08-2022, 02:50 AM	#3
BeefBouillon Bat Boy Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 5	Ah, I figured I signed too many players. I hovered around 15-20 AHL players when this happened. Fortunately I got through the season, with many games playing either 8 defensemen or using defensemen in forward spots. Is there an optimal number of players to carry at the AHL level so this doesn't happen?

12-08-2022, 03:19 PM	#4
JeffR FHM Producer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Kelowna, BC Posts: 17,243	Ideally you would- keep it under 10 until the NHL preseason ends and you know what you're getting, but the AHL preseason starts before then and you're going to need players for those games. I think we need to make some adjustments to the way the minor league preseasons work to avoid that situation. Basically, though, the answer is "as few as you can get away with" until you get the NHL demotions.

12-12-2022, 01:05 AM	#6
JeffR FHM Producer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Kelowna, BC Posts: 17,243	Going to try limiting the length and start dates of the preseasons first. Tryouts were deliberately set as NHL-only, since it'd get very messy if there were tryouts at multiple levels and they didn't all end at the same time (which they won't, because the preseasons end on different dates.)