Depth Chart

[Iceman90]

Hi Everyone,

How much stock do you put in a player's position on your depth chart (as assembled by your AGM)? I am looking to make a trade for a younger, better, and bigger player (who is only 200k more expensive at the NHL level). The player I'll be giving up is 6th on my depth chart, and the guy I'll be getting back will be 9th (I made the trade, checked my chart, and didn't save because I was shocked). How is the Depth Chart order determined?

[Joe]

I'm not really sure how the depth chart order is determined. When it comes to forwards, usually the depth chart is accurate to how I set my lines. On defence though, sometimes I'll have young dmen (20-24 yrs) in the AHL still even though they are in the top 6 on my defence depth. I don't always agree with the depth chart. If I'm unsure of a player between 2 or 3 players I"ll let them fight out for the roster spot based on their stats and average rating.

Mikko Jokela is a good example. In one of my games he was #5 or #6 on my defence depth chart. However I had him playing on the first pair because he had an average rating over 8 and was putting up pretty good points.

[Valkoon]

I think I put too much stock in it. It's nice to have though.

[maxrsp]

I don't know the definitive answer to how it works, but this much we do know:

1. Different skilled AGMs produce a different order of the same players.
2. What League the player is in makes a difference - for example the same player will often move up the depth chart almost immediately (after 2 or 3 games) when promoted from the AHL to the NHL.
3. Contract status makes a difference - for example the same player will move up the depth charts when he goes from only having his rights to being signed.

I rarely follow the depth chart when looking at setting lines unless I have a top-notch AGM (17+ in Man Management and Rating Potential and Rating Performance)

[timmy_t]

Generally speaking, the depth chart organizes your team by their current ability. You could verify it with an editor, but that's all it does.

[Iceman90]

Here is a view of 2 players on my roster. Which would you rank higher?

[timmy_t]

I would place Artem Dubinin ahead of Gord Baldwin, but they are pretty close in most of the categories.

[Iceman90]

Timmy, that's what is weird. I thought Artem Dubinin would be higher too, but he is 5 spots lower on the depth chart.