Wrong He is now living up to his potential Wake up
- holeinone

Quite a few defensemen in the history of the NHL haven't come into their own until mid to late 20's.

Today @ 11:02 AM ET
At 5v5 this season MAF sees more Shots, Low Danger Shots, Medium Danger Shots, and High Danger Shots (all per 60) than Murray.


Even so, I doubt Murray's save % would dip to .900. Emergency goalies pulled from the stands might have a .900. I am not a MAF hater, but there's no doubt (and no fancy stats needed) who has earned the #1 spot.
- mont23

Not saying MAF is better just a context post. MAF is still a very good goalie.

Schultz has been blessed by a 104 PDO with PIT. He is a solid 3rd pair D that needs to be sheltered. He is essentially replaceable so you shouldn't pay a premium amount to retain him. He will also be 27 at the start of a new deal an will have most likely 2-3 years of useful play left.
- Feds91Stammer

I always price defenseman prime as 27-32. Defensive awareness is very important for the position and gaining that with age counteracts the aging effect. Crosby is also an awful player. He's about to turn 30. Need to trade him soon. Niskanen is having arguably the best year of his career and just turned 30.

And you do need to pay up for depth. Bottom 6 depth especially outside of the 3c is a great place to filll with young cheap guys, but defenseman are a different ball game. Not too many youngsters on cheap contracts have the experience to play defense well at 22. Your 4/5D is definitely a place its ok to spend some cap.

I'd shop Maatta too.

Schultz is probably worth keeping around - his offensive side is as good or better than Maatta's (he can pass and his shot is better) and defensively he has been as good or better than Maatta since his arrival here.
- icedog97

I don't root for injuries out side of my three, but a Daley injury would be a blessing in disguise to test out Schultz in the top 4. We need to know if he can be that guy. I'm not sure if he's any worse defensively than Daley at this point and may even be better offensively.

I'd also like to see if Cole can keep his play on the bottom pairing away from Schultz. I feel like those two are just such a perfect match and I'm not at all sure if they can be any good away from each other.

holy poop man...are you tanner using an alt?

he has his flaws but his skillset gets paid for all over the league, the pens are just good enough to make up for it
- YuenglingJagr

Jakub Kindl says LOL

Generally peak between ages 23-25 and hit a steep decline around 28.
- Feds91Stammer

Nah, thats not what you said. You said he only had 2 to 3 years left of useful play. That implies he'll be useless when he turns 30.

Most players do not have a steep decline at 28 years old, that's ridiculous.

Generally peak between ages 23-25 and hit a steep decline around 28.
- Feds91Stammer

One of the stupidest things I've seen. Good bit of truth to it for forwards. But defenseman do not follow the same aging curve.

I always price defenseman prime as 27-32. Defensive awareness is very important for the position and gaining that with age counteracts the aging effect. Crosby is also an awful player. He's about to turn 30. Need to trade him soon. Niskanen is having arguably the best year of his career and just turned 30.

And you do need to pay up for depth. Bottom 6 depth especially outside of the 3c is a great place to filll with young cheap guys, but defenseman are a different ball game. Not too many youngsters on cheap contracts have the experience to play defense well at 22. Your 4/5D is definitely a place its ok to spend some cap.
- sditulli

Data says otherwise.

The fact that you bring up Crosby when someone says something and uses the term "generally" is hysterical.

One of the stupidest things I've seen. Good bit of truth to it for forwards. But defenseman do not follow the same aging curve.
- sditulli

Indeed.

Nah, thats not what you said. You said he only had 2 to 3 years left of useful play. That implies he'll be useless when he turns 30.

Most players do not have a steep decline at 28 years old, that's ridiculous.
- MattStrat

Yes so at age 27 28 and 29 he should be adequate but at 30 there is a very good probability he is playing below replacement level.

Jakub Kindl says LOL
- Feds91Stammer

do you say LOL or do you just LOL?

He would probably be fine on the pens too

Data says otherwise.

The fact that you bring up Crosby when someone says something and uses the term "generally" is hysterical.
- Feds91Stammer

There's quite a few very effective 30+ players in the league, that didn't have a steep decline in their play at 28 years old. Regression maybe, but not always, but steep decline?

Nah, thats not what you said. You said he only had 2 to 3 years left of useful play. That implies he'll be useless when he turns 30.

Most players do not have a steep decline at 28 years old, that's ridiculous.
- MattStrat

The stats he is bringing up is regards to forward point production, afaik

Yes so at age 27 28 and 29 he should be adequate but at 30 there is a very good probability he is playing below replacement level.
- Feds91Stammer

Not for a D-man, nope.

No team should ever pay a player over 28. They all suck.

do you say LOL or do you just LOL?

He would probably be fine on the pens too
- YuenglingJagr

Yet there he is getting yo-yo'd between the AHL and NHL and clearing waivers.

Yet there he is getting yo-yo'd between the AHL and NHL and clearing waivers.
- Feds91Stammer

on a team that isnt the pens

There's quite a few very effective 30+ players in the league, that didn't have a steep decline in their play at 28 years old. Regression maybe, but not always, but steep decline?
- MattStrat

Just because a player over 30 is still effective does not mean they didn't see a decline. If you are a 3rd pair defenseman and you decline where does that leave you?

The stats he is bringing up is regards to forward point production, afaik
- YuenglingJagr

Even though we're talking about a defensmen here (Schultz), it doesnt matter...even forwards dont have steep declines at 28 unless theres injuries involved. Sure most (but not all) regress, but steep decline?

Just because a player over 30 is still effective does not mean they didn't see a decline. If you are a 3rd pair defenseman and you decline where does that leave you?
- Feds91Stammer

You said steep decline at 28.

No team should ever pay a player over 28. They all suck.
- madmike71

You said steep decline at 28.
- MattStrat

Correct.

You said steep decline at 28.
- MattStrat

As in the beginning of a decline, maybe?

Even though we're talking about a defensmen here (Schultz), it doesnt matter...even forwards dont have steep declines at 28 unless theres injuries involved. Sure most (but not all) regress, but steep decline?


- MattStrat

Steep is all relative, but the important thing to remember is point production...there is a trend that point production goes down, but it doesnt mean they become useless

Steep is all relative, but the important thing to remember is point production...there is a trend that point production goes down, but it doesnt mean they become useless
- YuenglingJagr

Players that don't produce points are bad.