Canucks named most overrated team

Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk cleaned up in the latest National Hockey League Players' Association poll.

Datsyuk was the top vote getter in six categories in the annual study, conducted in conjunction with CBC. The veteran centre was named the smartest player, most difficult to play against, hardest to get off the puck, cleanest to play against and toughest forward to play against. Goalies also named him toughest to stop.

The poll got responses from 257 NHL players in 25 categories.

The Vancouver Canucks were named the most overrated team with nearly one in four players fingering the defending Western Conference champions. The Canucks got 24% of the vote, with Toronto second at 18% and Washington third at 15%. http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/02/19/canucks-named-most-overrated-team-pavel-datsyuk-dominates-in-nhlpa-poll/

First off, let me congratulate Pavel Datsyuk, an awesome player who deserves the praise.  In terms of the overrated label for the Canucks, what a joke.  First overall in almost every meaningful way and Western Conference Champs last year.  This year they're near the top of the table again.  It's not like they're struggling for a playoff spot and we're planning the parade already, this is a very good team with the potential for more.  These polls have left the realm of amusing and have reached new levels of stupidity.  I need to move on…