am I the only one who thinks their forward core is just ok minus the first line

depends on how much of a believer of newhook you are. If you think he is as advertised, the top 6 will be better. Hes a more dynamic style of player than Saad.
If you dont believe hes going to be a stud, then yes it would just be ok

i think eventually he will be, I just wouldn't expect him to fulfill a top 6 role on one of the best teams in the league off the jump either

I think thats the plan. They had h im at 2C and Kadri on the wing as soon as they called him up at the end of the season...and he did not look out of place in that role.
I fully expect him to be a lock for the 2nd line into next season

You are not. I'm an Avs fan and think they are one piece away for the forward group. Saad leaving hurts. And while I do believe Newhook will be good, Compher in the top 9 isn't ideal.

Don't get me wrong, Compher is an okay player. He's overpaid but isn't bad. The lineup looks a lot better if you input a Saad, Donskoi, or Tatar in his place though. It's my biggest worry about the roster as it stands.

There's definitely a hole at 2LW.

Compher would ideally be 4RW rather than 3RW.

Sakic knows about the 2LW hole though so I'm sure he'll aim to rectify that by the deadline.