QOTD: What is the Flame's current core?

[Bingo]

I'm sure the Flames brass always has a list of untouchables, players to build around, guys you won't deal, etc.

However with this being Treliving's first year in Calgary I'm sure there are players that have surprised him both good and bad.

Backlund has been a rock since returning, completely changing the second line and top six for the team.

Bouma has been unbelievable potentially making it easier to move Glencross at the blueline.

Russell has gone from a great filler piece to a guy that you'd have to look hard and calling untouchable.

So choose as many as you want ... who are the Flames building around? What is their core?

[bluck]

Monahan, Bennett, Brodie, Gaudreau, Giordano. The rest are expendable or could be traded for the right price imo

[Vinny01]

Monahan, Bennett, Gaudreau, Gio, Brodie, Ortio, Porier

I love Bouma, Backlund, Russell, Jooris, Colborne but if the right deal came along they could be moved.

[codynw]

Bollig, Raymond, Engelland, Ramo, Stajan, Glencross, Jones and Byron.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by bluck

Monahan, Bennett, Brodie, Gaudreau, Giordano. The rest are expendable or could be traded for the right price imo

I think with out a question of doubt Bouma and Russell should be added to that list of core players and to a lesser extent Backlund.

Monahan
Bennett
Backlund
Brodie
Giordano
Russell
Gaudreau

After those guys I think everyone else is tradeable for the right price.

[skudr248]

Moving forward, I see a mix core of the Flames being:

Potential:

Backlund
Wolf
Hiller


Actual:

Bennett
Gaudreau
Monahan
Hudler
Poirier
Giordano
Brodie
Ortio
Bouma

[ForeverFlameFan]

Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Brodie, and Giordano.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Monahan, Bennett, Gaudreau, Gio, Brodie, Ortio, Porier

I love Bouma, Backlund, Russell, Jooris, Colborne but if the right deal came along they could be moved.

I agree with most of your second sentence, even Russell who I think should only be moved if it is part of a deal bringing a big name in, but Bouma - even outside of his recent hot streak - is a player who is truly invaluable to the structure of this team. We can't put a price on him IMHO.

[Robo]

crap forgot bennett but picked monahan, gaudreau, brodie, gio, bouma, russell

[Robo]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

I agree with most of your second sentence, even Russell who I think should only be moved if it is part of a deal bringing a big name in, but Bouma - even outside of his recent hot streak - is a player who is truly invaluable to the structure of this team. We can't put a price on him IMHO.

agreed even if bouma wasn't scoring points like he is right now he's incredibly important to this team

[David Struch]

Gaudreau – Bennett - Poirier
Granlund - Monahan – Baertschi
Klimchuk – Backlund – Shore
Ferland - Jankowski – Smith
Bouma - Colborne - Arnold
Jooris

Wotherspoon - Brodie
Rafikov - Culkin
Sieloff - '15 1st pick
Hickey - Roy

Gillies
MacDonald
Ortio

[Finger Cookin]

Voted for Backlund, Monahan, Bennett, Gaudreau, Hudler, Giordano, Brodie, and Russell. Waffled on Bouma before ultimately deciding not to vote for him.

I included Gio and Hudler as mentors/role models for emerging players. I think that entitles them to be considered part of the core for the next 3-5 years despite their age in comparison to players who will be around more long term.

From the (small) number of votes so far, it seems that the "consensus" core will consist of a first tier of Monahan, Bennett, Gaudreau, Giordano, and Brodie.

[Textcritic]

Backlund
Monahan
Bennett
Bouma
Gaudreau
Colborne
Giordano
Brodie
Russell
Ortio

I am absolutely flabbergasted that two posters did not include Bennett—Treliving's first ever draft pick, and the highest pick in Flames history.

[Weitz]

I didn't choose any non-NHL players as I find it hard to call someone as part of the core without them playing an NHL game first.

But I went Monahan, Brodie, Ortio. 1 center, 1 D, and a goalie as what would be the "core"

[GranteedEV]

By core, i would say guys I expect to be here on the team in three years. Barring a trigger happy GM or serious cap issues...

?-Monahan-Poirier
Gaudreau-Bennett-?
Bouma-Backlund-Jooris
Wolf-?-Byron

Giordano-Brodie
?-?
?-Russell

Ortio/Gillies

Might be what I'm thinking. I dunno who fills those last ? Spots... Certainly guys we currently have - Hudler, Baertschi, Colborne, Arnold, Shore, Wotherspoon, Rafikov, Hickey, Culkin, Jankowski, are candidates but who knows?

Now, strictly in terms of "Guys you build around for the next decade"?

Giordano
Brodie
Monahan
Gaudreau
Backlund
Bennett
Ortio

Those seven, unless Gillies or McDonald outshine Ortio.

[ah123]

Backlund
Monahan
Bennett
Gaudreau
Poirier
Giordano
Brodie
Ortio
Gillies
Hiller

[mrkajz44]

I think some people's core is too big. To me its 5, maybe 6 guys max. Good players come and go that are not part of your core. For me:

Definite core:
-Gio
-Monahan

Fringe core:
-Bennett (who knows what we really have here)
-Russell
-Gaudreau (again - too early for me to say definite core)
-Brodie

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Backlund
Monahan
Bennett
Bouma
Gaudreau
Colborne
Giordano
Brodie
Russell
Ortio

I am absolutely flabbergasted that two posters did not include Bennett—Treliving's first ever draft pick, and the highest pick in Flames history.

I left off Bennett too, as I interpreted the question as more of a "who's the core now" question. Certainly, though, he is part of it once he starts playing and establishes himself full-time.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Who is Chicago's core?
Kane, Toews, and Keith.

Edmonton?
Hall, Eberle, and RNH.

Who is LA's core?
Kopitar, Dougty, and Carter (and formerly Rchards).

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.

[FlamesAddiction]

Monahan, Gaudreau, Bouma, Giordano and Brodie.

A top 6 center and scoring winger. A heart and soul 3rd line guy with enough utility to move up when needed. A veteran captain and defenseman at the top of his game, and his heir apparent.

I was really close to picking Bennett, and while I think he will be a future core player and is practically untouchable, I have a hard time calling a player with zero NHL game part of the current core. Same thing with Poirier.

Bennett, Ortio and Poirier will be future core IMO, but too early to anoint them.