I disagree, I know the hawks comparisons aren't welcome here but just work with me...

The core are the players who have been major contributors since day 1 (or cup 1 rather)

That list would be:

Hjalmarsson, Hossa, Kane, Toews, Seabrook, Keith. The rest (which include some very good secondary players) are all gone. Our problem right now isn't that the core is good not great, it's that it's not finished.

Bogo/Kane/Girgensons would be closer to Ladd/Byfuglien/sharp than anyone in the core. Good but complimentary. By my count they are short exactly 1 core player, probably on defense.
- Sabresfan-365

I'd say 2

one up front and a d man


and between skunk, eichel, and ror, those 3 are not even close to toews and kane

If you're a cagey, wiley GM, do you go to Stamkos and his team and throw a max dollar, short term deal at him, something like 3 years for $14M per, with the thought that the cap will definitely go up enough by his 3rd year that he will be able to get an even larger AAV for his next deal?

I know he will be 29 at that point.
- kingcong39

See here at 6:56pm

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...?thread_id=132519&page=11

Last night was a perfect example of why Franson wasn't signed until training camp started.
He has the acceleration of trying to pedal a bike starting in 6th gear.

If you're a cagey, wiley GM, do you go to Stamkos and his team and throw a max dollar, short term deal at him, something like 3 years for $14M per, with the thought that the cap will definitely go up enough by his 3rd year that he will be able to get an even larger AAV for his next deal?

I know he will be 29 at that point.
- kingcong39

His home team (leafs) will sell their soul for him

His home team will sell their soul for him
- gerbe75pts

100%, if he becomes a FA the Leafs will burn the world to get him

His home team (leafs) will sell their soul for him
- gerbe75pts

- Der Kaiser

I speak English very good.

100%, if he becomes a FA the Leafs will burn the world to get him
- yen6d1

Last night was a perfect example of why Franson wasn't signed until training camp started.
He has the acceleration of trying to pedal a bike starting in 6th gear.
- yen6d1

Yes. That holding call was brutal.

Last night was a perfect example of why Franson wasn't signed until training camp started.
He has the acceleration of trying to pedal a bike starting in 6th gear.
- yen6d1

his hooking penalty was only because he is the equivalent of turtle speed on a treadmill.

- Der Kaiser

"ARE"

- Der Kaiser

As has been mentioned, they are likely going to need to think of one of Girgensons or Reinhart as a complimentary player versus a core player due to the cap.

The question is which one?

I would prefer to rotate the entire bottom 6, plus one winger from the top 6, as far as forward go, but I am not sure they have enough money overall to pay 5 of the top 6, plus Risto and hopefully one more top quality D.
- kingcong39

What has zemgus done to garner more than 3 million a year at this point. You can offer him a long term deal now at a pretty cheap contract. What argument would he have to want huge money??

I'd say 2

one up front and a d man


and between skunk, eichel, and ror, those 3 are not even close to toews and kane
- homiedclown

Closer than you give them credit for, will likely get better too.

What has zemgus done to garner more than 3 million a year at this point. You can offer him a long term deal now at a pretty cheap contract. What argument would he have to want huge money??
- Fattony1187

none at all.

Am I the only one that is sick of Kane taking the puck all the way up the left wing with blazing speed only to just shoot high and wide or curl around the back of the net and create a turnover?

Am I the only one that is sick of Kane taking the puck all the way up the left wing with blazing speed only to just shoot high and wide or curl around the back of the net and create a turnover?
- Sabre_Tooth

No, I think pretty much everyone is mad at that. Do you think "the issue" is that he feels he needs to score on the shot, so goes for top corners?

Difference is, if he felt he did not have to score on the shot, his linemates would be in a good position for a pass or rebound, where most of the time they are no where near the net.

Am I the only one that is sick of Kane taking the puck all the way up the left wing with blazing speed only to just shoot high and wide or curl around the back of the net and create a turnover?
- Sabre_Tooth

Nope

No, I think pretty much everyone is mad at that. Do you think "the issue" is that he feels he needs to score on the shot, so goes for top corners?

Difference is, if he felt he did not have to score on the shot, his linemates would be in a good position for a pass or rebound, where most of the time they are no where near the net.
- Lilroot9

Am I the only one that is sick of Kane taking the puck all the way up the left wing with blazing speed only to just shoot high and wide or curl around the back of the net and create a turnover?
- Sabre_Tooth

max 3.0


ennis was 2.0

No, I think pretty much everyone is mad at that. Do you think "the issue" is that he feels he needs to score on the shot, so goes for top corners?

Difference is, if he felt he did not have to score on the shot, his linemates would be in a good position for a pass or rebound, where most of the time they are no where near the net.
- Lilroot9

Well currently he is playing with O'Reilly and McGinn who seem to be able to play good together themselves. Should they have to tailor their game to Kane? I don't think so. If he puts those pucks on the goalies pads I think more times than not his linemates WOULD be in good position to bang in a rebound or create a chance.

max 3.0


ennis was 2.0
- homiedclown

Difference being Max was way faster than any of his linemates, so he always had to curl and dangle waiting for them to catch up, or, if he didn't want to wait, just shoot.

Kane has played with guys who can keep up, he just doesn't ever dish the disk.*

(*"Dish the disk" is trademarked by Garth. No claim of ownership is asserted by its use in this thread.)

Difference being Max was way faster than any of his linemates, so he always had to curl and dangle waiting for them to catch up, or, if he didn't want to wait, just shoot.

Kane has played with guys who can keep up, he just doesn't ever dish the disk.*

(*"Dish the disk" is trademarked by Garth. No claim of ownership is asserted by its use in this thread.)
- Der Kaiser

Difference being Max was way faster than any of his linemates, so he always had to curl and dangle waiting for them to catch up, or, if he didn't want to wait, just shoot.

Kane has played with guys who can keep up, he just doesn't ever dish the disk.*

(*"Dish the disk" is trademarked by Garth. No claim of ownership is asserted by its use in this thread.)
- Der Kaiser

Well currently he is playing with O'Reilly and McGinn who seem to be able to play good together themselves. Should they have to tailor their game to Kane? I don't think so. If he puts those pucks on the goalies pads I think more times than not his linemates WOULD be in good position to bang in a rebound or create a chance.
- Sabre_Tooth

And there's the rub. Kane's shot never hits the pads. At best, it rockets off the pipes.
Most times, it crashes off the glass, wraps around the boards, and the D hasn't gotten to the point yet to keep it in, so instead it's turn around and chase.