Quote:
Originally Posted by mx703
^those kids are NOT turning into veterans. They're turning into OLDER younger kids...
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Depends on what you consider a veteran. I'm not talking 30+ yo players who are on the decline and have not much more than leadership to offer. By the time they are eligible for UFA I consider that to be a 'veteran', they've been around the NHL game long enough to no longer be considered kids, and should be nearing or at their peak.
Hemsky was a 19yo kid when he joined the Oilers and he's now almost 29, I'd hate to see their 'recent kids' turn into a group Hemsky's. Cogliano was drafted in 2005, Gagner in 2007. They aren't far off from maturing into seasoned veterans.