Half the team can't be the core by definition. I'd argue prospects can't be core pieces either, they aren't yet proven. The core is five or so players that are the foundational pieces of the team. They are the players that will stay for 8-10 years optimally, and the other 15 or so players are interchangeable to a degree that they get too expensive to keep around.
Calgary's core
Giordano
Brodie
Monahan
Gaudreau
Players like Bennett and Ortio may become core pieces in time as well. Though who could've ever imagined Giordano would become so good? Who knows, in 3 or 4 years there might be a totally different core.
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