I’m talking about the playoffs and both seasons. Ceci and Matheson aren’t tough in any sense. They aren’t Cole. Kunitz was old but still feisty when he wanted to be in the playoffs. Wilson played a ton in 2017. Rowney was specifically kept around in the Ottawa series because of his physicality. Even Cullen threw some big hits in 2017. Those teams played real hard in the playoffs, these guys couldn’t spell intense half the time, to borrow Burke’s phrase.
Sorry not buying what your selling. The 2016 and 2017 teams both built on speed and had very few tough players on it and no more than we have now. Players like Tanev, Zucker, Rust, and Kapanen compare very easily to the players you listed on forward with Hornqvist, Old Kunitz, Rowney (gag), and Wilson (gag). The later two didn't even play on the 2016 team in the playoffs. Cole the only defensman you mentioned and he is your toughest defensman you don't have a tough defense which we didn't. Those teams won on speed used in a fast forecheck system.
Does this team have the heart or desire anymore? That might be the case they don't but that has nothing to do with toughness because those 2016 and 2017 teams being labeled that is laughable. Tenacious, fast, and hard to play against yes but certainly not physically tough. This team has the players to play the same way. Whether they do when it counts is the big question. Last playoffs we lost because our 3rd pairing gave up 5 of the 9 goals while playing sheltered minutes. Add to the fact 2 of our 3 stars did zero in the offensive department and you get your first round loss. Blaming it on toughness is lazy and in fact wrong.