Is our core five good enough to win?

[DownUndaCanuck]

Not even close. I think Petey and maybe Bo at a stretch are Cup-worthy core members. Hughes would be good as a complementary defenceman to a true Norris guy but he is sadly not that guy, no matter how good his defensive play is. Bo is a bit of a question mark, he's not the Selke-type 2C people think of like Kesler but he does add a lot of value to the squad. Petey is the only guy you'd really see on a Cup winning core as a top two way center who can drop 100pts.

 

We need a lot of retooling before we get that top core. Cores come in 3, 5 and 7. In a core of 3 you have a top two way center, Norris worthy defenceman and star goalie (or one who can get hot and play like one). We maybe have Demko to add there. In a core of 5 you have two great centers, a top D and either another D or winger and goalie. Petey, Bo, Hughes, Miller and Demko. Miller is way off (think Marian Hossa, Kucherov in their primes) what you need from a core winger. Hughes is no Hedman or Makar sadly. Core of 7 is a bit more versatile.

 

We still need that star defenceman before we can ever talk about contending for a cup, sorry Hughes. We need someone big, strong, who is able to play 25-27 minutes in the playoffs and physically shut down a star like McDavid for 7 games straight, all while putting up 40-80 points. Hughes would be a brilliant 2nd best defenceman but we need a guy like we've seen at the world juniors in the organization and that we don't have (Nemec, Luke Hughes even, Jiricek).

[ShawnAntoski]

To the OP: the roster has good pieces but as a group, it is mediocre and it should be dismantled.  Good chance, the arrogant leadership, will double down.

 

Preferably, they sell on any player above 26/27, to get younger and (re)build around EP vs (ever) retooling around Miller cause they can't have both - even if the asset(s) going back is underwhelming cause the cap space alone, would be do more to fix the roster & culture.  Plus, the player(s), the team really needs can only be acquired cheaply, in the draft vs through trades/FA.  Anyways, good chance nothing changes and more shortsighted moves are coming cause a regular season success vs a Cup, is still enough to fill the seats....

Edited January 8, 2023 by ShawnAntoski

[clutesi]

After Petey and Bo there is maybe Hughes, but really that's it. Miller is a disaster signing. We have to stop talking about what it takes to get in the playoffs and focus on what we need to win the cup. Stop trying to retread tired vets and build from the draft for a change.

[ilduce39]

At their best it looks like they could do some damage.  
 

Looks like at least a name (or two) will be off that list next season though. 

[Harold Drunken]

I agree there's night when Bo and EP40 put the team on their back but let's not sit here and act like this core hasn't been long together enough to prove that they can or can't do. If they were truly good enough to contend with, they would be doing a much more effective job of putting the team on their back and winning more games. Poor goaltending doesn't help, with Demko being injured and not himself when he was playing it's a tough measuring stick. The fact of the matter is, it's not like this is the worst supporting cast they've had, it's actually the opposite and there's no improvement, our forward group is as good and deep as it's been in a long time. Our core 5 are just as much to blame for this as the supporting cast. I know EP40 and BO are having great years, but it's clearly not enough to compensate for all the other deficiencies and a blueline that doesn't defend well or contribute offensively. 

[Coconuts]

No, the only core pieces I believe in are Pettersson, Hughes, Demko, and Horvat and Horvat's likely on his way out. 

[Zerofaith]

Miller in the core 5 ffs we are all in trouble 

[Westcoasting]

Petterson and Hughes in the core, everyone else is replaceable.

Edited January 9, 2023 by Westcoasting

[Pickly]

No. The team seems apathetic and have grown to accept what they are. Bad to mediocre at best. It happened in Edmonton with Hall, Eberle, etc where the consistent losing created an irreversible rot in the room. We are at that point and it seems as if everybody sees it except for ownership and perhaps the new management group depending on how much control they actually have.

 

It would almost be a blessing if Petey refused to re-sign next off-season because it might be the wake up call that ownership needs because clearly he doesn’t give a damn about what the fan base has to say.