I don't think many would argue against the fact that Taylor has had a big influence in players skill levels getting better and better, but what will happen when Taylor retires? will the skill levels keep improving and if so how far will they go?

I think if it ever gets to the point where we see 9 dart legs been scored numerous times in a game it will maybe get a little boring.

Not so long ago the fans would give a big cheer just for a score of 100, now that score is lucky to get a round of applause.
If the skill levels rise to the level where we are seeing 9 darters all the time then I think they will need to make the game harder, maybe make the targets smaller or increase the oche length or both.

Do you think it will come to that and if so how long before it happens, 10 years? more or less?

If nine darters become commonplace- then they should move the oche back.
I think averages will go up but nine dart legs will remain hard to come by.

Phil sets the standard for sure. Don't think 9 darters will be common place by no means. I believe that the level will rise but only very slightly in the future and that Phils standard of play will prevail for years to come. That's my view anyway.

In the PDC there seems to be at least one 9 darter in every competition these days. The skill level will only go up a little amount now in my opinion. I can't see them changing the distance of the oche, but maybe they should start using those trainer boards for matchplay instead of a normal board.

I do know that John Lowe has mentioned about the possibility of increasing the length of the oche to match soft tip which I believe is 8 feet.

I wouldn't have a problem if they changed to 8 feet - that was the distance I always used years ago, and I stand to the right of the oche nowadays to adjust the distance to approx 8 feet lol.