QOTD: What is the Flame's current core?

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

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.

This is my list as well, with Bouma and Hudler 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.

[Flash Walken]

Core
[kawr, kohr]

noun
1. the central part of a fleshy fruit, containing the seeds.

2. the central, innermost, or most essential part of anything.

----------------

Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Brodie, Ortio.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

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.

[Poe969]

I get the love for Bouma but you can't consider him a core player. He's valuable to this team and you need that kind of player if you want to win but he doesn't belong in the same category as Monahan, Gaudreau, Giordano or Brodie.

No love for the 7th man, C of Red or red mile?????

[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.

[Bingo]

Odd ... only Monahan at 100%

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Odd ... only Monahan at 100%

A couple of comedians have started to vote.

That will throw things off.

[hixxes]

Monahan, Bennett, Giordano, Brodie

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by 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.

I think you could probably add a couple more players from each team and call them part of the "core". It's a pretty loose concept. There aren't any hard and fast rules or definitions. For example, I think it would be fair to say that for the past several seasons, Sharp was part of Chicago's core. In LA, I wouldn't hesitate calling guys like Brown and Muzzin part of the core.

[Journey17]

I struggled to pick a core beyond the usual suspects. I picked Poirer over Bouma as I love Bouma but those type of players you need but you don't hesitate if they can get you a better piece. Now if Bouma is a 20 goal scorer then it is a different story too. I like Russell but I can't see him not being replaced in next three years or driven down to being a 3rd pairing dman.

I think of core as being irreplaceable or not tradeable. Typically first line players. Flames happen to have 3 "C" who could be core: Monahan, Bennett, and Backlund. I'd bet on Backlund being a keeper until Bennett is ready for at least 2nd line position.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

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

1) No one is listing half of the regular roster.

2) The definition of "core" will vary from person to person, hence the poll and subsequent discussion.

This isn't a math question with one right answer.

[442scotty]

I look at core players as people that are very hard to replace and if you did trade them how could you possibly do any better. I included some prospects that are unproven but there is no way you would trade them

[FlamesAddiction]

If core player = untouchable, then there are very few core players in the league (maybe like 5 or 6 total). Almost every player is tradable for the right price. Most teams probably have 2 or 3 guys that would have an extreme cost to obtain, but they wouldn't be untouchable. Really, there are just varying degrees of touchability, and where you want to draw the line for what is "core" and what isn't, is arbitrary.

If a core player has to be untouchable, then I don't think we have any to be honest.

A guy like Bouma isn't untouchable, but I would still consider him a "core" player because he meets the criteria for being a player that you can build around. I see him as a foundation piece for the bottom 6.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

1) No one is listing half of the regular roster.

2) The definition of "core" will vary from person to person, hence the poll and subsequent discussion.

This isn't a math question with one right answer.

Several posters have listed 10 or more players so far, and at the moment, the mean number of players selected per voter is 8. So yes, actually, lots of people are listing half the regular roster.

At that rate, the question may as well be "Who do you think is good?"

[Imported_Aussie]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

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.

I agree with this completely - Bennett is not a "core player" yet, though I would argue he is untouchable (right now at least) in terms of a trade, as his upside is so high and the organization hasn't yet seen much of him. Someone who has yet to play an NHL game should not be considered a core part of the team - though Bennett has the potential.
Reason I would not list Backund as core is because of Bennett - Backlund should be retained, but becomes able to be traded in future depending on how the Flames' centre prospects pan out

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Several posters have listed 10 or more players so far, and at the moment, the mean number of players selected per voter is 8.

At that rate, the question may as well be "Who do you think is good?"

2 replies listed 10 players so far without qualification. 1 person posted a lineup, which isn't relevant to the discussion. 10 is still not half of 23. Neither is 8.

Opinions! They're a helluva thing.

[Stay Golden]

I think there is some confusion that some fans are having between current core and future core.
Since the poll question is current core...
Current core has to include Hudler. He is perhaps the most key forward on the Flames on and off the ice. He is looked to by every player in the top 6.
Monahan, Johnny etc, Hudler is who makes it all work.
I am amazed that he was not named an assistant captain to start this season.

[Five-hole]

My definition of "core" is a guy that means more to this team than you could get in a trade. Guys whose value goes well beyond the stat line.

I'm stunned that people are including guys with zero NHL experience in the "core".

My core is Giordano, Brodie, Monahan, Hudler, and potentially Bouma. That's the core right now. Gaudreau and probably Bennett will be core pieces relatively quickly.

It's not the same list as "who do you keep unless an offer blows you away".

[GreenLantern]

Gaudreau, Bennett, Monahan, Gio and Brodie are the five that I would build this team around.

I am hoping that Ortio will be that 6th and (arguably) most important piece.. but I think that has to wait until next year.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

I think there is some confusion that some fans are having between current core and future core.
Since the poll question is current core...
Current core has to include Hudler. He is perhaps the most key forward on the Flames on and off the ice. He is looked to by every player in the top 6.
Monahan, Johnny etc, Hudler is who makes it all work.
I am amazed that he was not named an assistant captain to start this season.

Much of the same could have been said about Cammalleri last year. Cammalleri wasn't part of the core though.

It's not about the best players on the team currently. Not in my definition at least.