I understand that you're trying to help, but a response of "don't get sent down" is very frustrating, as the game isn't giving us (those experiencing the bug), the chance not to get sent down.
I started my Life the Life at the NHL Draft, which means I play 4 Memorial Cup games, then I head into the draft. I was drafted first overall by the Colorado Avalanche. I get signed, and the game Auto-Sims to the pre-season. About 4-5 days before the first pre-season game starts I get notified that I'm getting sent down to the minors. In previous NHL games you were guaranteed at least 1 pre-season game before getting sent down, and if that's a new thing for this year, that's fine, however I'm 18 years old getting sent to the AHL, and not back to my CHL team. This could be part of the issue. The game then auto-simulates to the day of the first pre-season game and promptly freezes.