Don't know if I'd consider Colborne or even Backlund "core" guys, but longer term and important depth pieces, nonetheless.
Current future core: Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett, Giordano, Brodie
If Poirier continues to progress into a speedy scoring RW he may become a core player too.
Key future supporting players: Baertschi, Backlund, Colborne, Granlund, Klimchuk, Wotherspoon, Sieloff, Arnold. Guys who can fill in the top 9 and top 4 if they can project near their ceilings, and while they won't be top or dominant players, will also be key to the team's success as they are young and can be part of the solution for years. But of course not all of them will pan out or remain here. If half of these guys can step into those key positions for us that would be great.
The rest are the supporting cast, the stop gaps and character/tough guys. Will change from year to year. Maybe some can prove to be longer term 4th liners like Bouma and Reinhart.
Future core requirements going forward: A top line RW with size and a scoring touch, a top 2 defenceman with size and a strong all around game that can anchor the back end.
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