For those unfamiliar with ChatGPT, it is a chatbot made by OpenAI. It has taken massive waves in the media since it was launched at the end of November 2022. Since then, it has passed exams for MBA programs, law school exams, and medical licenses. Safe to say, it is a very smart artificial intelligence. In fact, it most definitely could write better articles than me.
So, today we are going to put ChatGPT up to the task and see what it thinks about a variety of topics involving the Calgary Flames. What does Artificial Intelligence think of this Flames team? Let’s find out with the first question we are going to ask.
Question #1: What is Darryl Sutter’s fascination with Milan Lucic?
Full text for each response is provided below each image for accessibility:
“Darryl Sutter, the former head coach of the Calgary Flames and current general manager, has had a long-standing interest in Milan Lucic, a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger. Lucic first played for Sutter when Sutter was the coach of the Boston Bruins from 2007 to 2010 and Lucic was a member of the team.
“Sutter has stated he likes Lucic’s size and physicality as well as his leadership and experience. He also values contributions to the team’s culture and his ability to play in different situations.
“Sutter has been credited with bringing Lucic to the Flames as a free agent in the summer of 2018 and re-signing him in 2020. Lucic has played and important role in the team since his arrival, providing veteran leadership and physical play.”
AI-generated ChatGPT response
There’s some messed up facts here. First, Darryl Sutter was the former head coach and current general manager of the Flames, in 2010. Now, he’s obviously just the coach. Second, Sutter never coached the Boston Bruins, but Lucic did play for Sutter in LA in 2015-16. Third, Lucic never signed with the Flames as a free agent in 2018, and Sutter wasn’t with the Flames anyways during that time. He also didn’t re-sign with the team in 2020.
However, ChatGPT does have a very accurate description of the player Lucic. From size and physicality, to leadership and experience, the values that Lucic provides to this team are clearly laid out. It’s no wonder Sutter has such a fascination with Lucic.
Question #2: What are some examples of coaching replacements for Darryl Sutter?
“It’s worth noting that the decision of who should replace a coach is a complex one, and it’s based on many factors such as the team’s current performance, the team’s long-term goals, the available candidates, and the owner’s preference.
“That being said, some examples of potential coaching replacements for Darryl Sutter could include:
- Rick Tocchet: He is currently an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins and has experience as a head coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Arizona Coyotes.
- Travis Green: He is currently the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks and has led the team to the playoffs in recent seasons.
- Sheldon Keefe: He is currently the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs and has lead the team to the playoffs in recent seasons.
- Bruce Boudreau: He is currently a coach for the Minnesota Wild and has previously been a head coach for the Anaheim Ducks, Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild.
- Dave Tippett: He is currently a coach for the Edmonton Oilers and has previously been a head coach for the Dallas Stars and Phoenix Coyotes.
“These are just a few examples of potential coaching candidates for Darryl Sutter, and it’s important to note that there are many other qualified candidates that could also be considered.”
AI-generated ChatGPT response
Next, I wanted to test ChatGPT about some coaching replacements for Darryl Sutter. He’s not going anywhere, but I just wanted to see some options it generates, and the results are quite something. The data is obviously dated, as the roles listed for all of these coaches besides Keefe are wrong. But we know the NHL loves to recycle coaches, so it doesn’t matter where they are currently listed. Nice to see Boudreau as a recommendation—Bruce, There It Is!
Question #3: What are some examples of GM replacements for Brad Treliving?
“It’s worth noting that the decision of who should replace a General Manager is a complex one, and it’s based on many factors such as the team’s current performance, the team’s long-term goals, the available candidates, and the owner’s preference.
“That being said, some examples of potential General Manager replacements for Brad Treliving could include:
- Bill Guerin: He is currently the GM of the Minnesota Wild and has previously been an Assistant GM for the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he helped the team win the Stanley Cup in 2017 and 2018.
- Kelly McCrimmon: He is currently the Assistant GM for the Vegas Golden Knights, and prior to that he was the owner, GM, and head coach of the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL)
- Mark Hunter: He is currently the Assistant GM for the Toronto Maple Leafs and has a history of success in player development and scouting
- Ron Hextall: He is currently the Assistant GM for the Philadelphia Flyers and has previously been the GM of the Flyers
- Mike Futa: He is currently the Assistant GM for the Los Angeles Kings, and prior to that he was the Vice President of Hockey Operations and Director of Player Personnel for the Kings.
“These are just a few examples of potential General Manager replacements for Brad Treliving, and it’s important to note that there are many other qualified candidates that could also be considered.”
AI-generated ChatGPT response
Following the options for a new coach, we also have to examine some options for a GM replacement for Brad Treliving. Given he doesn’t have a contract extension beyond this year, looking into other options probably has some merit. Interesting that it recommends Mika Futa, who has experience with Sutter from their time together with the LA Kings. I could see this being a very real possibility should Treliving leave. I would also take Bill Guerin if it means Judd Brackett comes with him.
The sentence structure strangely matches the one from above. Ever heard of a thesaurus before, ChatGPT? I’m sure massaging the prompts a bit would have helped, but come on, this is like copying your friend’s answers and making sure you change some words so it’s not the same.
Question #4: Who are some top-six forwards the Calgary Flames should trade for?
“The top-six forwards the Calgary Flames should trade for will depend on the team’s current performance, their long-term goals, and the available answers on the market. That being said, here are a few examples of potential top-six forwards that the team may consider trading for:
AI-generated ChatGPT response
- Mark Stone: A right winger from the Vegas Golden Knights, he is a top-line player who can contribute both offensively and defensively, he is known for his high hockey IQ and his ability to play in all situations.
- Phil Kessel: A right winger from the Arizona Coyotes, he is a skilled offensive player who can provide a scoring boost the team, he has a career of more than 800 points in the NHL and has experience in winning teams.
- Rickard Rakell: A left winger from the Anaheim Ducks, he is a skilled offensive player who can contribute to the team’s top-six forwards, he has a career of more than 300 points in the NHL, and he is known for his goal-scoring ability.
- Kyle Palmieri: A right winger from the New Jersey Devils, he is a solid two-way player who can contribute to the team’s top-six forwards, he as a career of more than 200 points in the NHL and he is known for his scoring touch.
- Mikael Granlund: A center/winger from the Nashville Predators, he is a versatile player who can play center or wing. He is known for his high hockey IQ, his ability to play in all situations, and his offensive skills.
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: A center from the Edmonton Oilers, he is a skilled offensive player who can provide a scoring boost to the team, he has a career of more than 400 points in the NHL and is known for his playmaking ability.”
Seeing Mark Stone as a deadline target hurt me, I’m not going to lie. Kind of creepy that the majority of these options are right wingers or players who play the right wing, with the exception of Nugent-Hopkins. That tells me that ChatGPT has figured out that the Flames do need a top-six winger who plays on the right side, and has presented many options that are right handed as well. Seeing Nugent-Hopkins on this list did crack me up.
If the last answer on the general manager plagiarized the coach answers, then this one is nearly self-plagiarizing! Most bullet points follow the same structure and it’s a bad look for the tool.
Question #5: Who are some depth defencemen the Calgary Flames should trade for?
“It’s difficult to say who the best depth defensemen for the Calgary Flames to trade for would be as it can depend on the team’s specific needs and what players are available at the trade deadline. However, here area. few examples of depth defensemen who could potentially be a good fit for the Flames:
AI-generated ChatGPT response
- Mike Matheson: He is a two-way defenseman who can play in all situations, he is known for his good defensive positioning, his physicality and his ability to make good decisions with the puck.
- Brett Pesce: He is a reliable, two-way defenseman who can play in all situations, he is known for his good defensive positioning, his physicality and his ability to make good decisions with the puck.
- Radko Gudas: He is a physical defenseman who can play in all situations, he is known for his physicality, his ability to play a shutdown role, and his ability to make good decisions with the puck.
- Justin Braun: He is a veteran defenseman who can play in all situations, he is known for his good defensive positioning, his physicality and his ability to make good decisions with the puck.
- Brandon Carlo: He is a big, physical defenseman who can play in all situations, he is known for his physicality, his ability to play a shutdown role, and his ability to make good decisions with the puck.”
The Flames are very likely to trade for defensive depth at the deadline, given the lack of depth. Pretty neat that ChatGPT listed Justin Braun as an option, and that makes a lot of sense, given the minimal cap hit and lower acquisition cost than other options. I don’t think any of the other options make sense, but you never know, right? Man, I would love Brett Pesce.
It seems like the team really wants to target players known for their good defensive positioning, physicality and ability to make good decisions with the puck.
Question #6: Should Harvey the Hound wear a jersey?
“Harvey the Hound is the official mascot of the Calgary Flames and is a beloved figure among fans. Whether or not Harvey should wear a jersey is ultimately a matter of personal opinion and preference.
“Some people may argue that having Harvey wear a jersey would be a great way to show support for the team and to create a more immersive and engaging experience for fans. They might say that the mascot will be more visually appealing and will be able to interact with the crowd more effectively.
“Others might argue that Harvey doesn’t need to wear a jersey, as the mascot is already easily recognizable and well-liked by fans. They might say that a jersey would be unnecessary and that Harvey’s current appearance is iconic enough as it is.
“Ultimately, whether or not Harvey should wear a jersey is up to the discretion of the team’s management and the preference of the fans. It’s worth noting that it’s not uncommon for mascots to wear team jerseys, but it’s not a requirement either.”
AI-generated ChatGPT response
I thought this would be a fun question to ask, since Harvey the Hound is the only mascot who doesn’t wear a jersey in the NHL. I wanted to see what Artificial Intelligence would say, and well, the answer was quite good, I think. ChatGPT presented an argument for both sides, and both sides actually make a ton of sense. This is probably the best answer of the bunch with no factual errors and enough variety in the answer!
Does ChatGPT know its stuff?
Aside from being dated in its facts (due to the data not being updated recently), ChatGPT generally looks to have a decent understanding of the Calgary Flames. It described Milan Lucic and what he brings to this team quite effectively. It also gave us some interesting candidates for a new coach and GM, should the Flames decide to change things up.
As for deadline additions, ChatGPT was well aware the Flames need someone who plays the right wing, and getting someone who is right handed would be a massive plus. It also identified some interesting defence depth adds, although most were key players on their current teams and are unlikely to be traded. As for the Harvey the Hound argument, ChatGPT presented both sides of the debate in an effective way, and it made a ton of sense.
This was my first time playing around with ChatGPT, and it was a ton of fun. It can definitely write player bios and details much more effectively than myself. Final ChatGPT prompt: Should The Win Column replace me with ChatGPT for future articles?
Thank you to @SlapshotShibe on Twitter for this idea. Featured image generated using DALL·E 2.
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