imo Draisaitl should be considered a core guy. He hasn't been the best, but he brings a lot of size and scoring ability. He's a great complement to McDavid after he polishes his game and gains some consistency. A lot of successful teams have the really talented, speedy center, along with a bigger center who plays a bit different.
Hall, Eberle and RNH should be considered expendable. I am going to guess that Nurse is not moving just because he's practically the embodiment of a Chiarelli player.
edit: I'm fine with considering Talbot a core guy too.
Drais has to be in that core. He can play all forward positions, is only 20, and really he is going to have an amazing career. He is going to get bigger; can work the rush and work a cycle. honestly he and McD are the two you dont have worries about. They fit the Chia style team.
Teams arent made with one line.
Hall i think has had enough of being in edmonton. Eberle and Nuge can go. BUT as others have said...we wont be giving them up cheap. Likely deals in summer.
Hall could probably get a good return now but wont have the components we need NOW because buyers will be keeping those contributors for the playoffs.
Trade deadline is always about the playoffs for buyers and for sellers getting rid of closing contracts.
Somebody will pick up purcell on the cheap. I dont know about anybody else that would be able to be moved for a team looking at playoffs. I keep thinking the Yak situation could end or because of his contract and low trade value you might hang on to him. I dont see yak as a cancer that needs to be cut off...he just simply isnt the player we need. There are alot of players here we dont need.
Whatever happened to Nuge. Seriously that guy was awesome his rookie year AND he had a target on his back being 160lbs. All his skill (that had me out of my seat a couple times every game) seemed to evaporate.
