[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I'm splitting "all-world core" into two separate pieces but for team construction:

1) Drafting, Prospect Trades, and Development (Hjalmarsson, Keith, Saad, Crawford, Shaw, Kruger, Leddy, Byfuglien, Gustafsson, TVR, Brouwer, the list goes on and on)

2) High-freakin' value in Keith and Hossa contracts. Closest modern day comparable for cap-shrewdness would be John Klingberg. Lightning in a bottle.

3) Management identifying core and non-core and replacing good pieces with more good pieces.

4) Two Legitimate Top 5 Draft Picks (Kane/Toews)

Yes, I believe the team around Kane/Toews has been more important than Kane/Toews. However I also don't believe the Flames have a Kane and Toews until Bennett proves it.

Now about trades.

... Engelland/Stajan/Smid/Bollig/Wideman/Raymond are all unmoveable. So yeah.

Agreed on all fronts. Although, Brodie's contract is only slightly less valuable, although he's more valuable as a player.