The bright side

[damacles1156]

because the GOAT's production fell off after he hit 29 doesnt really mean anything, thats anecdotal evidence.

this article is pretty interesting
http://www.cbc.ca/news/when-nhl-players-peak-hockey-metrics-1.2646054


and another

http://alongtheboards.com/2015/09/peak-decline-elite-nhl-forwards/

the huge drop off you referred to isnt quite as 'huge' as some make it out to be

It also isn't quite as (small) as you are trying to make it out to be. It's about 25-30% in goal scoring, and about 10-15 % in assists. After the age of 32 their is a decline for the vast majority of NHL players, even elite one's. It all adds up.

The good news is Kopitar is not 32 years of age, and he can still assert himself, and have a career year, if he works at it.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

It's not HUGE in and itself, but it is huge in relation to a contract paying someone like they're 26, which has been the huge contention.