It's natural to be nostalgic about the past. That new wave of players came right as I got seriously interested, so I'm attached to them on that level, but trying to look at it from a bit more of a reasonable distance, that core peaked in 11-12, and their peak was certainly fun, but not really dangerous in terms of winning a cup. That jersey team was super beatable, and their fourth line made fools of that Rangers team.
And it's not like there isn't a new wave of players that seem to be good guys and solid competitors: McDonagh, Kreider, MZA, Miller soon, McIlrath soon, probably Fast as well.
As much as I liked this core, I don't want to be one of those guys always talking about the past and thinking about the past. McDonagh is as talented a defenseman as I've ever seen on this team. Kreider has the potential to play with the heart and strength that Dubi and Cally used to play with, only he's got a way higher ceiling on offense. MZA is a great story and he's grown into a very exciting player over a short time.
This wave of players moving on makes room for a new wave of players. Let us not forget, Cally all but decided to leave with those demands, and there's talk that now G is moving the goalposts on his deal. Loyalty goes both ways. If they don't want to be here, I don't want them here no matter what the nostalgia factor is.