Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
Actually, if you look at offensive production, most star players have reached their peak by the age of 23 and plateau to 27.
To use your example of Gretzky, he had his first 200 pt season (and his 92 goals) in 81/82 as a 21 year old. He had his last 200 pt season as a 25 yr old. (He is not particularly unusual)
Edit: referring to forwards, D are very different
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Good points, and you can certainly see how my conjecture is somewhat supported by the data. At 23 they are just starting to peak and enter their full potential, and by 27, as you describe it, it has plateaued. Granted, there are variances, but my standards are a general guideline.
Gretzky is a special circumstance as rules were altered to combat his (and his team's) dominance. It would be hard to argue, however, that between the age of 21 to, say 26 he became a much more complete and well rounded player...it's almost analogous to say that he became a cut, already high-quality diamond.
All I'm saying is that players get better during these previously defined critical formative years, and this plays into my definition of the term prospect.
Traditional hockey terminology is perfectly acceptable, but I don't appreciate getting #### on and demeaned for providing an alternative opinion with supported justification. (<---Not directed at the quoted poster)