Is there a way to create a player and add him to the draft pool of that year?
 

As the title says, is there a way, for example, to start a Standard Game for the 2018-19 season, create a player that meets the age requirements, and have that player appear in the 2019 draft?

I'm not 100% sure if they get added to the 2019 draft or not, but to try it you just create the player and then within the edit player page (you have to be in commissioner mode) where his contract is, it will say league rights for NHL is default set to 'ALL' you just switch that to 'NONE' and boom he should be available in the 2019 draft and if not then the 2020 draft.. if the player doesnt enter the 2019 draft, the best option would be to select a late player within the 2019 draft and preferably someone who has no true potential and just change his information to match the player you are creating..

Hopefully this wasn't confusing if it is I will post a few screenshots.

Son of a biscuit, the NHL rights were set to "ALL" on my CAP. I think I might've missed the game's "deadline" to add him in time for the 2019 draft, but as the 2019-20 season starts, I see my CAP on the Watch List for draftable prospects. So I'm a-ok w/that. Thanks for the tip, my man

glad i could help! :D