DUTHIE: PREMATURE EVALUATION: AN EMBARRASSING PROBLEM

One week into the NHL season and we residents of Hockeynation are already pretty sure of a few things:

--Colorado and Phoenix are unstoppable and will surely meet in the Western Conference Final.

--San Jose and Detroit suck, are likely headed for the draft lottery, and are frantically sending their scouts to Windsor to watch Taylor Hall.

-Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo are stiffs, and if Team Canada selects them, they will lose 9-3 to Switzerland.

-The much-hyped Leafs defense couldn't stop that skating chimp from the MVP movies. Even if he was tranquilized.

-Alexander Ovechkin is going to score 90 goals, and 150 points. By Christmas.

Okay, slight embellishments perhaps. (Though after watching the first three Washington games, the last one might have a shot!) But chances are, you've already heard similar bold declarations in some form of media, or from your buddies at work, or the local tavern, coffee shop…bathhouse.

San Jose starts 0-2, and players are being asked if "Is it time to panic yet?" Luongo gives up a couple of softies and they boo him and beg for Andrew Raycroft. I read somewhere online the other day that Ray Emery was the "early favourite for Comeback Player-of-the-Year." He'd played TWO GAMES!

Yes, we sports fans suffer from the embarrassing medical condition known as Premature Evaluation (PE).


Complete blog from James Duthie here: Duthie: Premature Evaluation: An Embarrassing Problem

i sawthat article the other day, thought of posting it, good read

I think he'll score 70 goals with 130 points by the end of the year. Possibly even 80.

That's my super crazy prediction of the year.

LoL..... PE, I didn't think that the acronym was going to end up standing for the obvious

PE could also stand for those who "were" all over Cheechoo after 2 games,,, those who think Kovalev sucks and is playing lazy and disinterested Those who were saying Leclaire is a bust after the Ranger game and to those who immediately thought.... "Yeeeepppp, looks like another looooonnggg season and a second consecutive year missing the playoffs."

It's 2 or 3 freakin games in PEOPLE! if this were to be still happening 15-20 games into the season, then the problem needs to be looked at and addressed. We will be just fine and don't be surprised if you see Ottawa amongst the top teams in the east. IMO there is only 2 things standing in our way of returning to the post season, A miracle, and a string of injuries to key players, and I'M NOT mentioning any names! Seeing that is VERY VERY very very VERY unlikely.. I'm not one bit worried. BM did a FANTASTIC job putting this team together last March, and in the off-season.

There is no doubt in my mind that Our Team is going to show and prove it!

"The much-hyped Leafs defense couldn't stop that skating chimp from the MVP movies. Even if he was tranquilized"

The Ovechkin prediction isn't the only one that may be true...

Oh and for the record, I still took Bobby Lu in my pool, Him and Pascal Leclaire

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Not to mention people who were saying we'd tank based on the preseason.

he's gonna look silly though if all those things do end up happening!

Excellent article. Good to keep all us grounded.

I'd say the leafs one is pretty true as well

One week into the NHL season and we residents of Hockeynation are already pretty sure of a few things: So after the 1st round...

--Colorado and Phoenix are unstoppable and will surely meet in the Western Conference Final. Well, they did have a great run during regular season but their opponents in round 1 were better/luckyer, which ever way you want to look at it.

--San Jose and Detroit suck, are likely headed for the draft lottery, and are frantically sending their scouts to Windsor to watch Taylor Hall. No quite!

-Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo are stiffs, and if Team Canada selects them, they will lose 9-3 to Switzerland. Not quite!

-The much-hyped Leafs defense couldn't stop that skating chimp from the MVP movies. Even if he was tranquilized.

-Alexander Ovechkin is going to score 90 goals, and 150 points. By Christmas.
While he did have a great season (statistically) even if he missed a few games...he's already on vacation.