Exactly. We can blither on about the level of depth the 'hawks have but the cold hard fact is that the 'hawks aren't going to go anywhere unless the core players play at the level that got them their current contracts. Last game was monster for the FWD core.
I'm not much worried about the core players at this point.
1) The core is the best core in NHL and has risen to the occassion and played more hockey longer series and even our losses our epic since 2009.
2) They showed me a switch even in 2016...I had huge concerns about Fleshman and Weise, but they played well in playoffs...so did the D, and Toews
3) We played a great team and barely got edged in 7 games. The Blues were in a Salary Cap peak that was unsustainable, and put together a monster of ruffians and skill specifically with us in mind and it took everything out of them to fight us off by a thread. It could have gone the other way.
I see no reason to believe this core is vulnerable, and will win or be the most difficult out in hockey for about the 7th time in 9 years.
I come against this narrative often and I just like to stand against it. I'm proud of the hockey the Hawks played against the Blues last year playoffs. It was more of the same I have been seeing. The last goal didn't go our way, only difference.
The Quality of the opponent was at the level...of Dynasty Hawks, Dynasty Kings, Blues regular season, Dynasty Penguins, Bruins and Detroit chips...Anaheim missed opportunities...and the Burns/Thornton duo.
We are among the best, and because of the depth and diverstity of the core we remain there, and will remain there 3 more years at minimum. The Blues showed us how hard it is to remain there quite well. Good example twats.