So he ceases to have any value at all at 29?
I don't think I'm going out a limb saying he will still probably be really effective from 30-34 at least. And coming off his "peak production" years he will be asking for even more money. What you rather have a slightly overpaid still productive 30 year old Toffoli or your option of wastly overpaid still productive 30 year old Toffoli or no Toffoli?
I am a big supporter of gettting rid of 30+ year old players.
The vast majority of NHL players lose about 50 to 60 % of their prime production at ages 31/32 according to numerous studies. There are exceptions (Lidstrom) small ones though.
The Cap and the new league has to move away from handing 28/29 year old's long term high cap dollar deals.
The NFL has the same problem, paying Vets past their prime big money for past accomplishments. The NFL though has no guaranteed contracts.
The Next CBA fight no doubt will be GM's wanting Guaranteed contracts gone, and contract length down to Six years max.
To save them, from themselves.
Your high cap, High dollar deals in this new Cap era, should go to people like Doughty. Core members coming off ELC deals or bridge deals that see them to 24/25 years of age.
It's just my personal preference is all.