The idea that Montreal is old is completely outdated...
Domi:22
Drouin: 23
Gallagher: 26
KK: 18
Tatar: 28
Danault: 26
Shaw: 25
Lehkonen: 23
Byron: 29
That’s just the forwards. Say what you want about their skill, if that’s your argument, then fine, but don’t invent things. The old player who would be considered ‘old’ would be Weber and he is under 35...
And arguably none of those guys are "core" forwards, so yes Montreal is the oldest because they only have filler players and some older core guys (Weber/Price) left.
EDM: McDavid 22 (best player in the world), Draisaitl 23 (top 10 center), RNH 25 (top 35 center), Nurse 24 (top 60 dman)
TOR: Matthews 21 (top 10 center), Marner 21 (top 10 winger), Nylander 23 (2nd line winger), Rielly 25 (top 15 dman)
WIN: Scheifele 26 (top 10 center), Laine 21 (1st line winger), Connor 22 (1st line winger), Morrissey 24 (top 60 dman)
VAN: Pettersson 20 (top 30 center), Boeser 22 (1st line winger), Horvat 24 (top 40 center), Hughes 19 (?)
CGY: Gaudreau 25 (top 10 winger), Monahan 24 (top 30 center), Tkachuk 21 (1st line winger), Hanifin 22 (top 90 dman)
Look at these cores:
MON: Domi
24 (top 30 center*), Drouin
24 (top 6 winger), KK 18 (?)
*This is his 1st season anywhere near these totals, he could easily go back to being a 50 point guy, so that absolutely comes with an asterisk.
Also you just straight lied about the ages.
The extremely stark difference in the caliber of player being considered a core member is why Montreal doesn't and shouldn't be put up there with the others as having a bright future.