Quote:
Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague
Chara is barely replacement level at 43, and he's one of maybe, what, ten guys who could even manage that feat well past age 40 on the blue line.
I think Gio could possibly play regular shifts in the NHL until he's 39 or 40, even power play time. That's not a crazy suggestion. But it's silly to expect him to maintain legitimate top 4 play that long, it's simply too rare. Once this contract ends, he'll either be retired or on a cheapish one year deal as he transitions into a depth role and hands the reins over to the next generation.
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I agree he is on his decline. I agree he is likely to sign cheap one-year deals once he hits the end of his contract at 39. I agree he will transition to a depth role. We disagree on the speed in which this will happen.
He is a 37 yr old, top-pairing D now. You think it is silly to expect him to remain a top 4 D for two more years??
What signs have you seen that he is about to fall off a cliff??
I suspect that in two years he will be at worst a number 4, but could still be a 3.
Will Kylington ever reach that level??
(ps - I am a fan of Kylington, I just don't believe it is necessarily a mistake to protect Gio in order to protect Kyl/Tanev)