It’s going be interesting to see how artificial intelligence continues to grow within professional hockey leagues like the NHL. The different barriers like computer hardware, internet connections and data warehousing and analysis have been minimized, really paving the way for more and more AI integration into all facets of life.

ChatGPT has been a neat tool to get a sense of where AI is at and how generative AI can be used to create new artifacts and information based on the data that’s available. For my own interest, I was curious to see how AI would construct an NHL roster. This is information most people would know and it’s been published before. But I wanted to see what ChatGPT could come up with. And what the starting position would be if AI was actually in charge of developing an NHL roster, or at least assisting with the work.

Below is the response I got when I asked ChatGPT how it would construct an NHL roster:

Constructing an NHL roster involves several key considerations, including player positions, skill sets, team chemistry, salary cap constraints, and overall team strategy. While the specifics may vary depending on individual team preferences and circumstances, here are some general steps to consider when constructing an NHL roster:

1. Assess team needs and goals: Identify the areas where your team needs improvement, whether it’s goaltending, defense, or offense. Consider the team’s short-term and long-term goals, such as contending for the playoffs or rebuilding for the future.
2. Establish team strategy and style of play: Determine the style of play you want your team to adopt. Are you aiming for a fast-paced, offensive-minded team, or a defensively focused, physical squad? This strategy will influence the type of players you target.
3. Allocate salary cap space: Understand the salary cap limitations and budget available to construct the roster. Allocate funds strategically to secure core players, address critical needs, and maintain financial flexibility.
4. Build a strong core: Identify and acquire or develop core players who will anchor your roster. This typically includes a mix of top-line forwards, a solid defensive unit, and a reliable starting goaltender. These players should be talented, dependable, and capable of leading both on and off the ice.
5. Fill out supporting roles: Surround your core players with supporting cast members who complement their strengths. Seek skilled depth players who can contribute offensively or defensively, depending on team needs. Consider players who excel in special teams (power play, penalty kill) to bolster those areas.
6. Balance player skill sets: Strive for a well-rounded roster by balancing offensive firepower, defensive responsibility, physicality, and speed. Ensure you have players who can generate offense, shut down opponents, provide leadership, and contribute in various game situations.
7. Develop prospects: Invest in player development to groom young prospects and build a pipeline of talent for the future. Evaluate when to promote prospects to the NHL level and provide opportunities for their growth while considering their long-term development.
8. Consider team chemistry and culture: Assemble a roster with players who can work well together, share a common goal, and fit into the team’s culture. Building a cohesive and supportive team environment can contribute to success on and off the ice.
9. Continually assess and adapt: Roster construction is an ongoing process. Regularly evaluate the team’s performance, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary adjustments through trades, free agency, or player development to optimize the roster.

Remember, roster construction is a complex task that requires careful evaluation, analysis, and decision-making. It often involves a blend of experienced management, scouting expertise, and understanding the team’s unique circumstances and objectives.

Not bad! Pretty concise summary that would do okay in a simple business proposal document. It has all of the core concepts of building out an NHL roster, and we know some NHL clubs are better at this than others. I think from here, you’d be able to dig into each of the nine concepts and eventually have AI carry out the work to accomplish each one. A lot of work, with investment in people, processes and technology needed. But if you’re chasing championships, why wouldn’t you consider using every tool available including generative AI?

The challenge for any team of course would be first feeding the AI system the related data and information and knowledge to build solutions from. For example, to assess the team’s needs, you’d have to give it as much player and game data, along with historical information for it to know what the right metrics are, what’s an acceptable range for each metric, and how successful team’s have been built in the past. That itself is a massive lift, and would need constant refining as more and more data, such as player tracking and new player attributes, become available. The key for any team starting out with AI is identifying what your actual goals are and then prioritizing specific areas you would want to apply AI to.

The reality is that as AI technology gradually improves and works out its existing flaws, it is going to play a massive role in professional sports as teams will look for every competitive edge possible to build championship-caliber rosters. It’ll be interesting to see how owners and their executives embrace the technology available and integrate it into their overall business operations, especially in the NHL where some clubs still don’t the infrastructure to receive, store and utilize player tracking data. Those teams are likely going to struggle and we could see a noticeable performance gap develop between the top end teams and the rest of the pack.