I think the reason the other shows aren't referenced are because being in New York state area. They may not know what happened to Daryl. We can't call this a plot hole. They are so far down the road that maybe they don't talk about Daryl because he never made it back and as far as Rick and the other communities go. They either don't know what is going on or they have their own issues and can't send help. Also, it could be that Maggie went to New York to get away from the other communities. It wouldn't be the first time she cut them out and broke communication.

I agree with the director and some of the critics this version of captain America is weaker than m9st and would have been overshadowed by the hulk. That said I believe they went this route because they can't do a solo hulk movie, which this would have been a perfect one. They need this story for the next steps of the MCU and this is the only way they could move forward.