You can always point to a couple of players who play well later in their careers. Like Gio winning a Norris at 35 a couple years back. Ok. But, that's not the norm.
But, it's always been the case that when a 29/30 year old comes up for a contract, teams have no issues retaining them for the maximum term. SJ held onto Vlasic and Burns until they are what like 38 and 40?
See if there is going to be a shift where teams are more willing to take the cap hit for a 5 year term, based on the real money that goes out. Like Jamie Benn got signed at 28 for 8 years but his production has already declined. He was at like $9.5. But to drop him down to 5 or 6 year term that cap hit would be closer to $11 or $11.5 mill as a 34 year old Benn wouldn't command much in the market given the declining production.
Players around age 30 will and should view that contract as their last one and go get term. That's the rules of the CBA with 8/7 year max terms. That's the other side of the coin in contract negotiations.
