Sure, if younger means faster and hungrier guys. I think older players lose some of that hunger and speed that a team requires to be successful in today's NHL. Bouma wasn't ineffective, but he wasn't doing what made him awesome just two years ago. Stajan is great for veteran leadership but he isn't fast. Brouwer... after watching him for a full season, I'm not sure what kind of player he is. That's not good. Versteeg has good speed still, and is still tenacious and he's older and plenty of people still think he should come back. So it's not necessarily age, but it is easier for the younger guys to bring the attributes that this team needs.
|