This is something I have been thinking about. When compared to previous generation of defensemen, the current 30+ dmen are either struggling, having bad years, or complete fallen off the cliff.
For guys like lidstrom, bourque, pronger, stevens, pronger, macinnis, chelios, niedermayer, coffey, leetch and a few others I'm probably forgetting, they were still good when turning 30.
Granted, everyone declines at a different age, but these guys were still good up to their mid 30's at least. Most lasted until their late 30's, and a few still very good in their 40's.
So why is so many 30+ dmen are struggling today?
For guys like lidstrom, bourque, pronger, stevens, pronger, macinnis, chelios, niedermayer, coffey, leetch and a few others I'm probably forgetting, they were still good when turning 30.
Granted, everyone declines at a different age, but these guys were still good up to their mid 30's at least. Most lasted until their late 30's, and a few still very good in their 40's.
So why is so many 30+ dmen are struggling today?