The Myth of Iginla's slow starts

Sometimes something gets said and people immediately latch onto it. Even reputable media like the Globe and Mail start to repeat it. 

Iginla, a notoriously slow starter, has two goals (one on the power play) and two assists. Tanguay has a goal and seven assists to lead the team with eight points. Allan Maki - Nov 1, 2011 ~ The Globe and Mail

Jarome has started slow now for two seasons in a row but he is not notoriously a slow starter, not by history. 

This type of myth creation has more to do with what people want to believe. Flames fans may not want to admit Jarome Iginla is slowing down today maybe no one does.

The idea of Iginla "always" starts slow really took hold last year, especially after he exploded for points in the 2nd half of the season. The notion that there is nothing to be concerned about continues with the perpetuation of the myth that he has always started slow.

The facts do not back that claim up. 

Two years ago was when this started to circulate but it really took root last year. I decided to look up his production in the first 15 games of the last 10 seasons. Take those numbers to find a point per game projection and project his start out on the season and compare it to the actual results. 

The results are after the jump and it is actually the exact opposite. Jarome has actually for the majority of his career started extremely strong and tapered off slightly or maintained his starting production as the season goes on. 

Jarome Iginla's point production in the first 15 games from 2001-2012.

Jarome historically is a very strong starter who slows down slightly. At the very least he is a consistent producer based on his first 15 games production.

The reality is the opposite of the myth.   

The only years when he can truly be considered a slow starter is 2004, 2007 and 2011.

Note: Jarome only played 70 games in the 2006 - 07 season.

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This is a pretty simple analysis. Take the points scored each season in 15 games, calculate a ppg and times by 82 for a projected point total. Then compare to the actual point total in the season. Jarome did not always play the full 82 games but for the most part he did or was reasonably close. 

He is starting just as slow as last year. Historically he will be looking to be an exception to the majority of his past seasons again by stepping up production significantly in the rest of the season as he did in 2011.