We are a week away from the NHL trade deadline. This year’s deadline is expected to be quieter due to so many teams still being in the playoff hunt, especially in the Eastern Conference. However, there are always a few electric surprises and the usual pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) changing hands.
The Calgary Flames remain in the playoff chase, which wasn’t expected by many. Most thought the team would continue selling assets and follow the path they set forward last year. Instead, they went shopping for a couple middle-aged assets to add to their group, Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee. I would imagine that is the end of the heavy shopping that the Flames are going to do this year, but who knows? I don’t think anyone had Frost or Farabee penciled in before the Flames acquired them last month.
Keeping the unpredictability in mind, I asked ChatGPT a number of questions to see if it had any predictions for trade proposals. Here are some of the proposals it came up with:
ChatGPT created trade proposals
Trade #1
Flames Receive:
- Dylan Cozens (C, Buffalo Sabres)
Sabres Receive:
- 1st Round Pick
- 2nd Round Pick
- Prospect
Trade #2
Flames Receive:
- 2nd Round Pick
- Prospect
Avalanche/Stars Receive:
- Mikael Backlund (C, Calgary Flames)
Trade #3
Flames Receive:
- 2nd Round Pick
- 3rd Round Pick
- Mid-Level Prospect
Islanders or Rangers Receive:
- Blake Coleman (RW, Calgary Flames)
Trade #4
Flames Receive:
- Anton Forsberg (G, Ottawa Senators)
Senators Receive:
- 4th Round Pick
- AHL Prospect
Dylan Cozens is a name that has been thrown around numerous times this season. The trade package that ChatGPT identified doesn’t really seem like it is what the Buffalo Sabres are looking for. They are reportedly interested in a similarly aged centre if they choose to move Cozens.
Next, it did recommend moving Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman for futures packages. While these are moves the Flames should consider, I think those will be decisions next year. I think the acquisitions of Frost and Farabee certainly open the door for moving Backlund and Coleman in a year or two.
I don’t understand the Flames trading for Anton Forsberg at all. If anything, they would move out Daniel Vladar and promote Devin Cooley from the AHL.
Does ChatGPT think the Flames should trade Rasmus Andersson?
I asked ChatGPT if the Flames should move Rasmus Andersson before the deadline. It provided me with four arguments for keeping him and four arguments for moving him:
Keep him:
- Top Pairing Defenseman
- Youth and Long-Term Commitment
- Team Stability
- Pre-Established Defensive Depth
Trade him:
- High Value
- Market Demand
- Rebuild or Retool Focus
- Team Performance and Playoff Chances
What kind of return would they expect?
If Calgary were to trade Andersson, they could realistically expect a huge return, given his age, skill set, and contract. A potential trade could look something like:
- 1st Round Pick
- Top Prospect (A young forward or defenseman)
- Solid NHL Player (A proven forward or defenseman who can contribute immediately)
Teams like Toronto, New Jersey, or Colorado could offer strong packages, as they are in need of a top right-handed defenseman for their playoff runs.
Who are some young players that might be of interest to the Flames?
I asked ChatGPT for some suggestions on young players the Flames might add to their core:
- Nils Lundkvist
- Kirby Dach
- Jack Quinn
- Brock Faber
- Shane Pinto
- Lukas Reichel
Three right-shot forwards—two being centres—is quite interesting. No doubt that is something the Flames are looking to add. Kirby Dach is a very intriguing name, but it’s highly doubtful the Montreal Canadiens move him. Nils Lundkvist isn’t much of an addition, and there’s no way the Minnesota Wild move Brock Faber for anything less than a ransom.
Photo by Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP
