Are todays players washed up earlier?

[DDRhockey]

We're seeing steep declines with players only in 28, 29 and 30 years of age these days. Is the prime of a player lower then ever and do players get washed up earlier?

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[Echo Roku]

Combination of speed being more important than ever and teams more commonly embracing youth movements

 

[Jacob]

We're seeing steep declines with players only in 28, 29 and 30 years of age these days. Is the prime of a player lower then ever and do players get washed up earlier?

That's always been when players decline.

 

[DDRhockey]

That's always been when players decline.

Nope in the 90s you heard that a players prime was in 26, 27. But today we are seeing more rapid declines imo.

 

[izzy]

Nope in the 90s you heard that a players prime was in 26, 27. But today we are seeing more rapid declines imo.

i think its more varied now than anything

 

[Bandit]

Nope in the 90s you heard that a players prime was in 26, 27. But today we are seeing more rapid declines imo.

If you have the answer why are you asking the question?

 

[Sam Spade]

Kids are cheaper so if you don't produce at 25-27 to get that UFA deal it's bye bye to you.

 

[Esq]

Yes and no.

Training / nutrition much better today in the past, so players can stay healthy into their 30s easier.

Pace of the game much faster than in the past, so even though you "are in the greatest shape of your life" older players can't keep up.

 

[Doctor No]

Nope in the 90s you heard that a players prime was in 26, 27.

Have you considered that this "common knowledge" from the 1990s was actually incorrect?

 

[Rodgerwilco]

I would say that it's likely because the game is faster than ever and speed is much more important. Also, the young guys coming into the league are better and better, so it's easier for them to bump guys down the depth chart.

 

[Paperbagofglory]

Yes

A lot of modern players excel at the technical aspects of the game but not much else. They are great skaters, good speed, active sticks, and the defensive side of the game has been drilled into them since they were in pee wee. The problem? the talent level is minimal, once they lose their speed everything else starts to drop off very quickly. Players have lower creative IQ out there and this is why you see a quicker decline as they don't have the talent to compensate. We have illusions about players being better than past decades but all i see is better equipment and more efficient training methods to maximize someone's skill set but the top end guys aren't as good.

 

[DJJones]

I don't think they are dropping off ability wise. The game has just changed towards speed and if they don't have that they fall behind.

4 or 5 years ago it wasn't as important so just the required skill set has changed.

 

[Cellee]

Guys seem to come into the league earlier and put more wear and tear on themselves.

More emphasis on getting younger guys into the lineup quicker for cap reasons.

More emphasis on getting older guys off the roster for cap reasons.

Younger players are getting bigger, faster, stronger and more talented. Lots of talented hockey players coming through the drafts.

 

[Paperbagofglory]

Guys seem to come into the league earlier and put more wear and tear on themselves.

More emphasis on getting younger guys into the lineup quicker for cap reasons.

More emphasis on getting older guys off the roster for cap reasons.

Younger players are getting bigger, faster, stronger and more talented. Lots of talented hockey players coming through the drafts.

The reverse is actually happening when it comes to forwards.

 

[DannyGallivan]

We're seeing steep declines with players only in 28, 29 and 30 years of age these days. Is the prime of a player lower then ever and do players get washed up earlier?

I think it's the reverse. Today's player trains 12 months a year, is on strict diets and partakes in the most up to date scientific methods to stay fit. The partying, drinking and drug lifestyle so prevalent in decades past has been significantly reduced. You simply can't last in today's NHL living like that. It seems that all the best players are training in groups every summer.

 

[Cellee]

The reverse is actually happening when it comes to forwards.

You could be right.

 

[DannyGallivan]

We're seeing steep declines with players only in 28, 29 and 30 years of age these days. Is the prime of a player lower then ever and do players get washed up earlier?

No, it's totally normal.

I read years ago that the average physical peak for an athlete is 27 years of age. See how many players in the NHL had their best seasons before 27 or 28... that sums up pretty much all of the biggest stars of the past 100 years.

 

[Mickey Marner]

Nothing has changed the average NHL age has been 27-28 for years. The average age for goal scoring peak is 22, average point scoring peak is 25.

You just happened to notice half a dozen players were washed up as they approached 30 and constructed a straw man out of it.

 

[Paperbagofglory]

Nothing has changed the average NHL age has been 27-28 for years. The average age for goal scoring peak is 22, average point scoring peak is 25.

You just happened to notice half a dozen players were washed up as they approached 30 and constructed a straw man out of it.

Or it could be the fact that many of the stars of years past were still getting to top 20 or top 10 scoring finishes and they were pushing 40.

 

[Mickey Marner]

Or it could be the fact that many of the stars of years past were still getting to top 20 or top 10 scoring finishes and they were pushing 40.

The stars of this generation aren't 40 yet. Giroux, Kessel, Kopitar, Wheeler and Marchand just hit career highs at ages 29, 30 and 31.

 

[The Macho King]

Hard cap doesn't help veteran players. Especially after the 2010-2016 UFA signings of 29-31 year olds that blew up in the faces of the teams that signed them, committing long-term to a player at age 31 just doesn't seem smart in the vast majority of cases.

I'm wondering if Tampa may be ahead of the game on that. 7 year contracts for middling players for their last RFA contract to take the players until 31-33, and then you can just let them walk before their sharp decline.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

No, just the Kids are better

 

[MMC]

Sure seems like it to me.

 

[Paperbagofglory]

The stars of this generation aren't 40 yet. Giroux, Kessel, Kopitar, Wheeler and Marchand just hit career highs at ages 29, 30 and 31.

The stars of today are slowing down much quicker was the point i believe. There are exceptions to the rule obviously.

 

[Mickey Marner]

The stars of today are slowing down much quicker was the point i believe. There are exceptions to the rule obviously.

Which has not been demonstrated ITT. Like, not even one name presented.