Turning 30 can be stressful regardless of your profession, but for hockey players—and especially forwards—that milestone birthday can signal a significant decline in production. Previous studies by Gabriel Desjardins (2010) and Eric Tulsky (2014) found that per-game scoring rates are at their highest around age 25, then begin dipping around 30, but TSN’s Travis Yost takes a look at what happens to a player’s other metrics.
It led me to wonder if other metrics regressed in similar fashion. We know forwards score less (per 60) as they age, but are they generally less threatening, too? Do their shot attempt totals and scoring chance totals drop off in similar fashion, or is there more to this story than what Desjardins and Tulsky originally found?
When Yost examined shot attempt totals and scoring change totals for players 18-38 at even-strength, he found a decline that mirrored the original studies. He offered up this reason why:
At the very least, we can reasonably conclude that a big reason why forward scoring drops off as a player ages through the league is because they simply are less threatening in the offensive zone. We see this start to manifest as a player approaches the age of 30. By the time he’s blown past the 30-year hill, his numbers are far more likely than not to take a considerable slide.
There’s more on age—plus a helpful chart—at the link. [TSN]
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Tonight, tune in at 6 p.m. to watch the Stars take on the Carolina Hurricanes. [Stars Inside Edge]
Texas Stars expert and beat writer Sean Shapiro did an AMA on Reddit yesterday. It’s full of insight on everything from coach Derek Laxdal to Devin Shore. [Reddit]
If you missed Tyler Seguin’s weekly guest spot on the Ticket on Wednesday, the audio is now available for your listening pleasure. [The Ticket]
Speaking of that Seguin guy, the woulda, coulda, shoulda surrounding his departure from Boston continues.
Cam Neely: ‘We Probably Could Have Done Some Things Differently With Tyler Seguin’ ” CBS Boston https://t.co/pQhXaoIGMy
— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) November 5, 2015
You know this whole 10-3 start thing? Enjoy it, says Josh Bogorad. The Stars are something special this year. [On the Radar]
The Stars are holding steady in the No. 2 spot in the new, goalie-themed edition of Sportsnet’s Power Rankings. [Sportsnet]
From “mastodonic” to “The Dainty Barbarian,” brush up on your favorite Razorisms, courtesy of The Hockey Writers’ Jordan Dix. [THW]
Motivated by the birth of his daughter, Bruins forward David Krejci is putting together a strong start to the 2015-16 season despite being separated from former linemate Milan Lucic. [ESPN]
Team Canada went ahead and made it official.
Team Canada staff named for 2016 World Cup of Hockey; Mike Babcock named head coach: https://t.co/7EBzmAtEPk pic.twitter.com/4gVU7A6UGm
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) November 5, 2015
There’s no one else in the league who’s quite like Big Buff. [TSN]
In Arizona, it’s all about the “Killer Ds.” Which, apparently, is what Coyotes broadcaster Tyson Nash calls rookies Max Domi and Anthony Duclair. [VICE Sports]
Zach Parise left last night’s Minnesota/Nashville game with a lower-body injury after a hit from James Neal. [SB Nation]
The Oilers will have to find a way to fill the void on offense left by an injured Connor McDavid. [Sportsnet]
You asked for a #RoarBacon T-shirt. We listened, but need your help on the design. DETAILS: https://t.co/qtojNZsfdZ pic.twitter.com/bvE9yOYYeX
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) November 5, 2015
If the Columbus Blue Jackets want to turn their season around, they’re going to need goalie Sergei Bobrovsky to bring his A-game. [Puck Daddy]
And finally, relive the final goals scored by your favorite NHLers. [The Hockey News]