Yes because the core is more solidified than it was a year ago.
At the beginning of the season, we knew what we had with Cole and Nick, but Guhle, Hutson, Demidov, and Slaf's baselines were completely unknown.
We now know the baseline for Cole, Nick, Guhle, Hutson, and Slaf. Demidov's baseline is still unknown, but scouts and experts across the league are almost unanimous that it's high. Thus, I think we have a very clear core that I believe can compete for a number of years if surrounded properly, especially since I think that all these players outside Nick and Cole have another gear to offer.
What's also exciting is that within the next 1-2 years, we may also be adding Reinbacher and Fowler to core as well. If they are what we expect, then the habs are set for quite sometime.
At the beginning of 2024, it was hard to determine what the habs expendable assets were because some of the key players mentioned above were still relatively unknown and thus we needed the players mentioned below.
After this year, I do think that we have a clear list of tradeable players, picks, and prospects in Dach, Newhook, Matheson, Mailloux, Roy, Kapanen, multiple 1sts and seconds. I also think if the right deal comes along that Xhekaj, Struble, and Beck would easily be available. I also think that if Hage was a make or break piece for a Larkin type of player, he'd be moved in a heartbeat.
All that to say is that I think the habs have the core and the assets to take the next step in the rebuild. And that means they are continuing to head in the right direction.
