The nature of the relationship between an NHL club and its farm team is such that the parent team’s needs will always come before those of the minor-league affiliate. Whether because of injury or simply with a need for new blood at the NHL level, the parent team will raid the AHL franchise regardless of the circumstances the farm team is facing.
Usually it’s the best players who are called up, which in essence is the entire point of the farm team; get players ready for the big show. But in the wake of a call-up, the farm team must still remain viable and competitive, meaning that everyone shuffling up the depth chart must continue to perform.