In my opinion, Ferland needs to be added to the 'core group'.
He will probably never be a PPG player (though you never know, and I used the word probably there), the Flames really need a guy like him. You almost need to when you have guys like Bennett and Poirier in the lineup being aggressive. Even if that wasn't the case, there isn't a team in the NHL that doesn't absolutely love a big man that can skate, thinks the game well, can beat up on most of the other players on the team, and has good hands. Though I wouldn't classify Ferland as a 'top 6' guy, I do think he has a good enough shot and soft enough hands that you can throw him up on the top two lines and not have him kill the offence. Now and then, you will need to throw someone up like him on those lines to ride shotgun.
Also, I read somewhere (and didn't have time to respond at the time) to a poster saying Austin Carrol is pretty much equal to Ferland. I disagree completely. I like Austin Carrol, and I do think he is a very good prospect to have in the system, and I do think he can actually be a solid NHL'er that is very difficult to play against on the bottom line. I think offensively Ferland is a better prospect, and I think his physical presence is even much more imposing than Carrol's (and once again, I say this being a big fan of Carrol's game and really do think he is a very good prospect).
Colborne I think is working his way up to being a 'core' guy on the untouchable's list. He is great on the boards now (and wait until he gets another year or two's worth of training). He has great hands. He is great on the shoot-out. It would have to be a very lopsided move for me to be happy with trading away Colborne. I don't think he is part of the core now, but I do think he is working his way there. Looking at the rest of the division (and the Western conference), having big players that are skilled seems to be so important.
Finally, Backlund. I think he is in the same area as Colborne - almost a core piece. His health and his mediocre offence keeps him in the 2nd group, but who is better on this team at shutting down the opposing players? Monahan has been fantastic, and should remain the #1 center I think (he is still growing in his role, and looking more than competent already). However, Backlund seems like he is the de facto 'shut-down' center. Flames PK last year was decent (18th), and this year so far without him they are 26th. Considering the Flames have had Giordano all season, and have a better tandem in net then last year, I would say the PK is missing Backlund.
Backlund has a great attitude, gives the team exceptional skating and stamina, and the closest thing they have to a shut-down presence since Yelle. If he can increase his faceoffs, he is a 'core' player in my mind (and it is not out of the question - having more centers who are competent at that to practice against should help that out, in theory).
One final note on Backlund - We all see those 'flashes' of offensive ability - brilliance at times. I look back at who the Flames used him with and they were never good fits. Backlund is a fast skater - I think he needs fast linemates. Now that Monahan is doing well at 1st line duties, I would love to see Backlund get a long look with Gaudreau and Hudler. I think he can do really well with them. If he doesn't (after a long look), then I will accept that Backlund is who he is offensively and stop thinking there will be improvement. I do think he does have untapped offensive potential in his game. I would like to see if he was utilized with more complimentary players, how he would fare offensively.
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