The 2025 Stanley Cup Final has served as a stark reminder: experience, that intangible quality often dismissed for youthful exuberance, can be a decisive weapon in the grind of playoff hockey. From Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand's tenacious performance to 40-year-old Edmonton Oilers forward Corey Perry, veteran players are not just participating—they're driving their teams. This raises a critical question for NHL general managers, particularly those like the Toronto Maple Leafs—perpetually searching for the missing piece: Should teams pay a premium for veteran players, banking on their experience to translate into playoff success?
The common wisdom in hockey circles has always held that experience matters in the playoffs. The pressure intensifies, the checking tightens, and the margin for error shrinks. These are the conditions under which veteran players, hardened by years of battles and armed with a deep understanding of the game, are supposed to thrive. But is this romantic nostalgia, or does data back the notion that age equals playoff success?
I decided to look at the data to find out. It seems like veterans are having their moment this playoffs and the data appears to support that. Looking at the average age in years and months, the average age of a goal scorer during the 2024-25 NHL season was 27 years old and two months. You can compare this the 2025 NHL playoffs where the average age was over two years older… 29 years and three months to be precise.
Breaking it down further by months you can see the graph creep up.
The average age starts low in October, and players get older as each month passes. But it’s not exactly one month. As players get hurt, younger players get called up. While it’s a gradual increase, you see big jumps from April to May and again from May to June as the stakes in the game rise.
A further examination of data from the past decade (2013-14 to 2023-24), a noteworthy trend emerges. The average age of playoff goal scorers is notably higher than their regular-season counterparts. Specifically, playoff goal scorers were, on average, eight months older.
While eight months may seem insignificant and some may dismiss that as players being older as the season goes along, it's crucial to consider the context. The playoffs start less than six months after the regular season beings. The regular-season sample size includes over 700 players, a vast pool of talent representing a wide range of ages and experience levels. In contrast, the playoff pool starts with half that number and dwindles with each series. In the smaller, high-pressure playoff pool, that eight-month gap becomes far more significant. It suggests that the experience gained over those extra months, the subtle nuances learned, and the resilience built, translate into a tangible advantage when the stakes are highest.
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The two-year uptick in average-age goal-scorer can be attributed to the continued contributions of veteran players like Marchand, Perry, and even the ageless Alex Ovechkin, all demonstrating that experience can indeed overcome the limitations of age.
This shift highlights the fundamental difference in the style of play between the two seasons. The regular season often favors speed and offensive flair. The playoffs, however, demand a different currency: grit, defensive determination, and a deep understanding of situational hockey. Veteran players, who have honed these qualities over years of competition, are uniquely positioned to excel in this environment. They know how to grind out wins, manage pressure, and capitalize on scoring opportunities when they arise.
This reality should inform the decision-making of a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs. Faced with perennial playoff disappointments, the Leafs must consider all options to fortify their roster for the rigors of postseason hockey. While chasing after every available free agent with graying hair isn't the answer, the data suggests that incorporating experienced players, particularly those with a proven track record of playoff success, could be a worthwhile investment.
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However, the key is to strike a balance. Simply loading up on aging veterans can lead to a slow, expensive, and ultimately ineffective roster. Teams must carefully evaluate potential targets, considering factors beyond just their age and playoff experience. Skill, physical condition, and the ability to contribute to the team's overall chemistry are all essential considerations.
Ultimately, the decision to pay a premium for veteran players should be made on a case-by-case basis. The potential impact on the team’s salary cap, the player's remaining skill level, and their fit within the existing roster must all be carefully weighed. However, the data clearly demonstrates that experience matters in the playoffs. The key isn't to overpay for age, but to correctly value the intangibles that seasoned players bring—qualities that often mean the difference between a long playoff run and another early exit.
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Older effective players can put a team over the hump. Limiting their minutes and putting them in positions to succeed is what the playoffs are all about, The 82-game regular season is a grind, but it's nothing like seeing the same opponent for four-to-seven games in a row.
When Max Pacioretty sat out due to injury for the last two months of the season and returned for Game 3 of the playoffs, the 37-year-old admitted he was brought to the team for the playoffs. He scored two of Toronto's biggest goals in the post-season, both of them in Games 6s against the Ottawa Senators, and Florida, respectively.
As the cap increases, don't be surprised if you see some strategizing to make sure teams can load up on effective players and taper their way into the playoffs optimal success, not unlike an athlete who tapers their performance before an Olympics.
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