As the Toronto Maple Leafs embark on their rebuild, player age is more important than it gets credit for.

Player age and production are easily scrutinized and it’s not hard to look around the league and see contracts that teams wish they could turn back the clock on. The Toronto Maple Leafs need to avoid being in that group.

As much as everyone would love to see the heart and soul players grind it out into their twilight years, most of the time it just doesn’t make sense from a value point of view.

When the Chicago Blackhawks hoisted the Stanley Cup last season they had four players aged 34 and older. Only two of those four players are still with the team right now. Why? Well, in Chicago’s case, it’s more weighted on salary cap reasons – but there’s also a case for their aging departed that points to lack of effectiveness overall.

Age catches up with everyone, and the age make-up of the league is something that Toronto Maple Leafs fans should keep an eye on – because that’s how the team is being put together right now for the future.

(Skater age numbers from war-on-ice.com)

Only 65 players were 34 or older during last years campaign. Of course there are the few obvious anomalies for age-defying production (Joe Thornton, Marian Hossa), but I’d wager half of the 34+ group were replaceable players based on what they actually contributed in effectiveness to their teams.

Heart and soul will get some applause and pats on the back, but skill wins games.

Take the San Jose Sharks, for example, with Raffi Torres. The Sharks forward is seen as a near lock to make the San Jose roster for opening night while falling into the 34+ category. Not too many people seem concerned about his age, injury, or the fact that he’s played only five regular season games in two years. They’re all focused on the energy that Torres brings to the team.

That’s all well and good, but the odds are against Torres being an effective impact player in the NHL right now; he was up and down prior to the latest injury with regards to his effectiveness in his given roles. Is he really worth sitting a potentially effective player? There’s a risk there.

Those are the types of scenarios the Toronto Maple Leafs will be looking to avoid when it comes to aging veterans. They have to recognize that it’s very rare to find a player 34+ that can contribute at such a high level that they can’t be replaced by a cheaper, just as effective, young player.

Entry-level contracts are worth their weight in gold. The cost efficient deals allow teams to pay the players in the 22-25 and 26-29 brackets the money they have earned based on what they’ll contribute to the team. After the initial three year contract the bridge deal is worth just as much in value – unless, of course, you have a completely proven star.

Depending on how many bridge years a player goes through, those big money guys can fall over into the 30-33 bracket – when the decline has likely begun for them – which is the danger teams can run into by getting too bridge-deal-greedy.

If you look at the Toronto Maple Leafs roster right now, and subtract the players that are obviously moveable deadline assets, you’ll find that James van Riemsdyk is the oldest of the “young core” that could lead the Toronto Maple Leafs through the rebuild.

He’s 26 years old. There’s a reason that is what it is – players decline, and teams have to maximize value on the ice and in the salary cap.

It will be interesting to see what the Toronto Maple Leafs do with van Riemsdyk – if he’s not traded by the time his contract is up when he’s 29 years old. What will the money and term look like? Do you really want to extend him into the 34+ bracket on a raise? Right now, I’d say no. I don’t see him as that kind of player.

When the Toronto Maple Leafs are ready to compete in the playoffs they’re going to need the majority of their players sitting in the 22-29 age range, with a minimal amount slipping into the 30-33 bracket. As it stands now, they’re setting themselves up for that – and that’s a great thing to see.