Joined: Jun. 2018
Posts: 80
Likes: 19
I know you are a huge stats guy and we've had this debate before. There is more to hockey than stats. When the entire hockey community believe peak is in the 26-29 range then there is validity to it. its not just numbers either. Players play both ends of the ice as they get older. Ovi is the perfect example of this. 100+ points 4 out of 5 of his first seasons, then a drop to 80-90. Thats cause he started crossing his blueline and is WAY better for it. This is what i have found when quickly looking at some superstars stats.
And to your point, if Willy's gonna peak at 24, why would the leafs give him 7+ long term when during most of that contract he's going to be declining. Willy's better off signing a 2-3 bridge if he wants 7+ eventually. He's a really good damn player, but right now, no where near as good as he thinks he is going to be and won't be paid it.