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Could AI do a better job of running the Flames?
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Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Adrian Kiss
Nov 20, 2025, 12:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 20, 2025, 02:53 EST
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Times are frustrating in Calgary on all levels right now. The play on the ice is hard to watch, coaching decisions leave one scratching their head, and management and ownership seem to have conflicting ideas on how this team should move forward. It feels like everyone has a different opinion on how to improve — from the top brass to the individual fan watching from home.
It’s hard to put exact numbers on it, but the Flames fan base seems heavily in favour of breaking it all down, selling off veterans, and developing a new core.
Coaching, meanwhile, appears to favour the veterans. Young players have struggled to find consistent ice time and opportunities to succeed at the NHL level. Zayne Parekh hardly played when he was in the lineup, and we’ve just seen Rory Kerins demoted again after a brief but promising stint.
Management has stocked the prospect system with exciting young talent. It feels like they have the team’s long-term future in mind, but perhaps their hands are tied.
Ownership, on the other hand, seems stuck in the present. Insiders are suggesting that Flames owner Murray Edwards doesn’t want to move on from core pieces such as Nazem Kadri. You could argue they are playing a longer game, creating leverage in potential trade talks so other teams might offer more to acquire a player the Flames say they want to keep. But it’s also possible the comments are sincere, reflecting a hope to field a competitive team for when the new arena opens — even though the current roster is far from that.
So, what is the best way forward? Everyone has their own opinion. Inspired by the recent use of ChatGPT by head coach Ryan Huska to analyze game footage and develop a game plan, I wondered: could AI provide an unbiased perspective on some of the Calgary Flames’ biggest questions? Could ChatGPT do a better job of running this team right now? Let’s see.
Q: Should the Calgary Flames tank in order to get better draft lottery odds:
A: If I’m giving a straight-up opinion: I think the Flames shouldn’t fully commit to tanking right now.
Here’s why:
  • They still have a core of players who can be competitive, and the NHL is volatile—sometimes a team just a few pieces away can make a playoff push unexpectedly.
  • Calgary has a passionate fanbase; a full tank could erode goodwill and make it harder to attract players down the line.
  • Drafts are never guaranteed. Even if they get a top pick, there’s a risk it won’t pan out, and the Flames could end up weaker in the short term and not gain much long-term.
Q: Do you think the Flames should trade, or re-sign Rasmus Andersson
A: My opinion? The Flames should re-sign Rasmus Andersson.
Here’s why:
  • He’s a top-four right-shot defenceman, and those are hard to replace in the NHL.
  • Calgary isn’t in a position to fully rebuild, and losing a player like him would leave a big gap on the blue line.
  • Keeping him maintains stability while the team develops younger pieces and figures out its next competitive window.
Q: Should the Calgary Flames trade Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman?
A: My opinion? The Flames should keep Nazem Kadri and consider trading Blake Coleman if they want to maximize assets.
  • Kadri is still a top-six centre who drives offence and provides leadership; losing him would hurt the team’s competitive window.
  • Coleman, while valuable, is more replaceable in the bottom six. Trading him could bring picks or prospects without significantly weakening the roster.
Q: Did the Flames extend Ryan Huska too soon?
A: No, they did not extend him too early. I think Conroy made a smart, moderate commitment: enough to give Huska a runway to build, but not so long that they’re stuck if things don’t go their way. It’s a measured risk with upside, not a reckless gamble.
I’ll be honest: I fully expected this interview to go another way. If AI were truly taking over the world, it seems the Calgary Flames still wouldn’t be any different. The organization’s recent history has had too much influence for even AI — supposedly superior to humans — to grasp that the Flames need a new approach, or risk many more years of scraping by without truly succeeding.
Hopefully, the time Huska used ChatGPT for coaching was a one-off experiment like this. But considering the team’s current play, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s been used more often. Perhaps there’s more on those iPads on the bench than just game footage.
AI or not, the Flames are a hard watch right now. Decisions over the next few months will shape this organization for years to come. All we can do is leave it to those in charge — and hope they can see the bigger picture.

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