[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

So why are people listing half of Calgary's regular roster?

I get that bottom-6 grinders are always fan favorites, but Lance Bouma is no more a core piece in Calgary than Brian Bickell is in Chicago.

So much of our roster is so young that they haven't shown any signs they're not a keeper. Just because he's not a top 6 forward, I find it pretty damn tough to not consider a guy like Jooris a keeper, considering guys like that don't exactly grow on trees. We just spent the last decade without these right players, so you should know that. When Hartley can insert a guy like Byron into the top scoring line with expectedly positive results, that's a rare player that you don't just write off for not being a star.

Just the other night, Hartley mentioned Lance Bouma is probably the best forward on the team. That doesn't mean he's the most skilled forward or the most dominant forward or the most money scorer. It just meant that he is effective and effectiveness is what makes a core. Every team has bottom 6 players but we're lucky to have really effective ones that can slot into top lines without dragging down play.

As for Brian Bickell? He's played in Chicago since the beginning of his career and barring a surprise trade is under contract until he's 31. How many recent Flames can you name stayed with this team for remotely that long? Giordano comes to mind, and even before he was a potential Norris Candidate, just two years ago most of us would have considered him a part of the core going forward at the onset of the rebuild. I sure did.

Originally Posted by MattyC

This is my list as well, with Bouma added.

I don't necessarily think the second tier (Bouma, Backlund, Russell) are untouchable, just that they are core role players that I believe are necessary to contending/championship teams. Steady two-way players with work ethic are not as easy to find as people tend to think.

I wouldn't call Backlund a role player, he's become a very good all-around player that could be a #2 center on many championship teams. That some are projecting him to be a #3 is only a testament to how strong our depth down the middle is.

Originally Posted by Jacks

Hudler needs more love here. He's not young and shiny but he's a major part of this team. He's probably got at least 5 more years in him and I hope they are all spent wearing a Flames jersey.

I love Hudler, but it's not just that he's getting up there in age. He's also rather small. Look at Chicago's top line wingers... Hossa.. Sharp.. Saad... yes they have one small guy in Kane but the rest are each listed at 6'1. If you had to pick one small guy in the Top 6, do you pick Hudler or do you pick Gaudreau?

...That becomes extra complicated because I honestly think Sven Baertschi is going to be an NHLer that can provide big numbers, and while he's gotten stocky, he's still not the biggest guy either. You can maybe get away with two small wingers on separate lines, as long as the opposite wing is the right level of player... a Poirier perhaps.

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

For example, I think it would be fair to say that for the past several seasons, Sharp was part of Chicago's core.

Even though he was a UFA pickup for them, I'd put Hossa in that category too. We are talking about a 30 goal, consistent Selke candidate here. And Seabrook. Who knows who their management considers "core" though? Do we really watch the Blackhawks often enough to judge?

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Because even though he is the captain and the frontrunner to win the norris, I don't see him as a core player for Calgary in the future.

How many Norris guys didn't play well into their 30s? MacInnis til he was 39, Bourque til he was 39, Coffey til he was 38, Niedermeyer til he was 36, and of course Lidstrom could probably still play today. Chara's still a core piece for Boston, although his career is pretty much over due to knee problems. If Pronger didn't have concussion problems, I bet he's a Flyer right now.

...I really don't see Gio leaving the team any time soon, considering that this is essentially "his" team. Not unless serious injuries hit, and you can't predict those. I imagine he plays for us (and well) for the next 7-8 years, which is a pretty long time. He might switch over to #2 Dman with Brodie taking the #1 mantle, but he'll still be a core player for Calgary in the future. This team will allow him to be replaced organically rather than just rebuilding again after trading him.. a la Detroit.