The 40‑Year Mark in the NHL
Veteran defensemen in the National Hockey League are confronting a stark reality as they near the end of their thirties, with production and ice time often slipping dramatically after the age of 39. Players such as Brent Burns, Ryan Suter, Mark Giordano and Kris Letang illustrate a pattern of declining points and reduced minutes that has become almost predictable.
GM Kyle Dubas’ Perspective
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas recently described Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang as belonging to a different physical bucket than most peers who are approaching 40, underscoring the unique workload they still carry.
Historical Comparisons
Ryan Suter’s production fell from at least 40 points in nine of his previous ten seasons to 19 points in his 36th year, while his ice time dropped from 23 minutes and 39 seconds to below 19. Mark Giordano’s points slid from multiple 30‑plus seasons to nine in his 38th year, accompanied by a 22.6 percent cut in average ice time. Andrei Markov saw a 14 percent reduction in ice time with the Montreal Canadiens before moving to the KHL. Brent Burns experienced a 42 percent decline in points over the last three seasons, falling from 61 in 2022‑23 to 35 last year with the Colorado Avalanche, and his ice time slipped from 23:13 to 18:52.
Projecting the Future
Kris Letang’s point total has already dipped by roughly 40 percent, from 51 in 2023‑24 to 31 the following season, and his ice time fell from 24:41 to 21:41 per game. With the Penguins’ blue line crowded with right‑handed defensemen, there is a chance for occasional rest, but projections suggest his decline could settle around 21 points, with ice time potentially dropping below 20 minutes if the trend continues.