The Most Underrated Player on Every NHL Team
By Hayden Shapiro
In today’s NHL, we look at superstars like Connor McDavid, David Pastrnak, and Nathan MacKinnon and just say “Wow, I wish I had him on my team.” But the reality is that these superstars would not be who they are without the guys that they have around them. In this piece, I highlight the leagues most underrated players; one from every single team. So, lace up your skates, put on your pads, and enjoy!
Anaheim Ducks: Ryan Strome
Strome centers the second line for Anaheim, but that second line acts as a first. He is a gifted playmaker and space-creator. His linemate Troy terry benefits immensely from Strome’s ability to open up ice for his teammates. His understanding of the game is evident and he’s a big part of this young Ducks squad where he acts as a veteran leader, too.
Boston Bruins: Mark Kastelic
Kastelic is a master in the faceoff circle, winning nearly 60% of them early on this season. He isn’t anywhere close to filling Patrice Bergeron’s role in Boston, but his play style mirrors the former Bruin captain in many ways. The ex-Ottawa Senator has already reached the halfway point to catching his point total from last season.
Buffalo Sabres: Alex Tuch
Somehow Alex Tuch still doesn’t get the respect he deserves. He kills penalties, plays on the top line, and is a force on the powerplay. The 28-year-old Syracuse, NY native averages about 20 minutes of ice time per game and might be the hardest player to knock off their feet when driving towards the net. Tuch excels near the crease where he can use his strength to muscle off would-be defenders, but he also has a heat seeker of a wrist shot that can be fired at any time.
Calgary Flames: Connor Zary
Zary has seen a drastic increase in his ice time and for good reason. He is manning the wing on Calgary’s second line this year opposed to his old center role on the fourth line. Him and linemate Blake Coleman are very, very similar players; guys who crash the crease on rebounds and are not afraid to take a knock or two. Zary plays with amazing speed and instincts, two things that help him with his penalty killing and power play prowess.
Carolina Hurricanes: Seth Jarvis
After a phenomenal postseason, Jarvis has picked up right where he left off. He is a force in front of the net despite his frame and is the definition of a rebound opportunist. He plays down low on the powerplay and sneaks behind defenders frequently when Carolina is a man up. Svechnikov-Aho-Jarvis might be one of the best lines in the NHL sheerly because of how well they all do their jobs. Focusing on Jarvis, he’s improved at taking more calculated risks in the offensive zone and is taking less penalties.
Chicago Blackhawks: Seth Jones
Everyone always takes things away from Seth Jones’ game, but I think he’s been a blessing for Chicago. He quarterbacks the first power play unit and provides a sense of security for a lackluster goalie room. Not only is Jones massive, but he can skate exceptionally well. Jones also provides some cushion for budding superstar Connor Bedard to do his thing, giving a sense of security to the whole squad.
Colorado Avalanche: Miles Wood
Hustle, hustle, hustle. That’s the name of Wood’s game. He is one of the fastest skaters across the league and shows it off on stretch passes and oftentimes on the penalty kill. He isn’t afraid to check anyone and throws his body around like a ragdoll, doing so while being a reliable and healthy option for 82 games. Wood has really expanded his game in Colorado.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Yegor Chinakov
The Blue Jackets are a really young team and Chinakov embodies his role on this youthful squad. It’s clear that Columbus likes to have their goal scorers on the wing and Chinakov resides on the right side of line 2, next to another youngster in Adam Fantilli. Chinakov has blazing speed and will always finish on breakaways.
Dallas Stars: Mason Marchment
Given the fact that Mason Marchment is a second line winger for Dallas shows how stacked this team is. Marchment would be a 30-goal scorer on any other team, but he has embraced his role on the second line next to Matt Duchene who often finds Marchment cutting backdoor in the O-zone; something he loves to do. Marchment is another guy who’s just incredibly strong with the puck on his stick. If he’s on his way to the net, good luck trying to deter him from getting to his final destination.
Detroit Red Wings: Ben Chiarot
With less and less defensive minded defensemen in the league, Chiarot is a luxury for Detroit. He’s one of those players that will do all the dirty work and doesn’t shy away from anyone. He steps up at the blue line at perfect times and uses his big frame to block shots from the point.
Edmonton Oilers: Mattias Ekholm
Ekholm has completely devolved his game ever since arriving in Edmonton. He is a two-way defender who’s slapshot could break the glass while still maintaining a fair amount of defensive ability. The Bouchard-Ekholm pairing is easily one of the best in all of hockey. His long stick is beneficial for poke checks and wrap around tries, which he did score on during the postseason last year.
Florida Panthers: Carter Verhaeghe
Verhaeghe just got paid and deservingly so. His ability to find rebounds and put them into the back of the net is special. He elevates the play of players around him by clearing space and paving the way for uncontested attempts. Verhaeghe is also an excellent screener and has amazing hand-eye coordination.
Los Angeles Kings: Brandt Clarke
Clarke has been a plug and play young gun for the Kings since 2022, but he’s carved out a regular role and has looked great to start the season. His play has improved so much that he now quarterbacks the first powerplay unit, alongside Kevin Fiala who also takes on puck-carrying duties on the man advantage.
Minnesota Wild: Matt Boldy
Boldy plays like he’s 6’6, but stands at 6’2. Not that he’s small, but he just plays so big. He’s got a slick wrist shot and is a master of paving the way down the seam to open up opportunities for his linemates. Boldly is still so young but makes plays like a veteran would; he’s disciplined, always has a positive +/- and works well with whoever is on his line.
Montreal Canadiens: Lane Hutson
At just 20 years of age, Hutson records 23 minutes of ice time a game and quarterbacks the second power play unit for the Habs. His speed is a difference maker in man up situations and he’s a matchup nightmare in overtime. Hutson’s stick handling and elite quickness help the Canadiens clear the zone plus his tape to tape passing allows for some breakaways for his forwards.
Nashville Predators: Brady Skjei
Brady Skjei has been underrated for years now and there is no reason why he isn’t regarded as one of the best two-way defenders in hockey. He has a wicked slapshot from the point, but also possesses the patience necessary from a defenseman in today’s game.
New Jersey Devils: Stefan Noesen
Noesen was a really under the radar FA signing for New Jersey and it’s a picture-perfect fit. He is the net front presence that the Devils have needed ever since, well, Travis Zajac. Noesen crashes the crease with the best of them and even sits next to the net on the first power play unit; giving his linemates a steady option down low. He has great hand-eye coordination leading to shots tipped on net
New York Islanders: JG Pageau
Pageau is one of those players that if he’s on your team, you love him. If he’s not, you don’t. JG is a pest defensively and on the penalty kill, but it doesn’t take away from his offensive game at all. He is an always reliable option on the powerplay and is a master of the dump and chase. His hustle and high work ethic make for a perfect fit in the Islanders system; something that’s been evident ever since he was dealt to Long Island. Pageau is also a dangerous player when the team is shorthanded where he already has a goal this season.
New York Rangers: K’Andre Miller
The K’Andre Miller project has been a major success in New York. His skating ability at his size is so unique and his blistering slap shot is something they’ve needed for years, and he gives it to them. Miller is more of a two-way defenseman; a guy who can join the rush but is also comfortable staying back and defending the net. At 6’4, he can take advantage of smaller wings and centers, giving them fits in the slot and down low.
Ottawa Senators: Drake Batherson
Batheron’s speed and size combination is unique and tough to stop. He skates beautifully, but also has the size to park himself in front of the net to make plays. When Ottawa signed Claude Giroux, the center of Batherson’s line, it was for many reasons. One being to help develop young talent, but Ottawa has to be extremely satisfied with how he’s helped Batherson. Drake has blossomed into a young star and will be a part of this young-ish core for years to come.
Philadelphia Flyers: Owen Tippett
Insane speed and great reads are what Tippett does. He cuts backdoor at the perfect time and has a magnetic stick; he never fumbles the puck. He rarely turns the puck over and has some serious power behind his wrister.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Rickard Rakell
Rackell has been underrated since he entered the league. On the Ducks, he was the main puck carrier on the power play. Now in Pittsburgh, where he does have a smaller role, he controls the puck beautifully and rarely turns the puck over. He’s a solid veteran presence on a team that is trying to get younger, but still has Malkin and Crosby. Rackell is a pure playmaker and finds backdoor opportunities time and time again.
San Jose Sharks: William Eklund
This 20-year-old plays like he’s been in the league for years. He just simply doesn’t make the mistakes that young guys usually make. Eklund has been a spark plug for a struggling San Jose team this year, and after losing Macklin Celebrini to injury, Eklund has stepped up big time. His speed and presence as a wing rusher help this team create opportunity after opportunity; they just can’t finish and lack the depth that other teams in the west have.
Seattle Kraken: Brandon Montour
This signing was a bit of a surprise this offseason, but boy has it worked early. Montour loves to send pucks to the net for tip opportunities and even puts it past the goalie more than a lot of defensemen in the league. He records almost 3.5 SOG per game, which is crazy for a defenseman. He also QBs the PP, something so valuable in today’s NHL.
St. Louis Blues: Robert Thomas
Thomas was just placed on LTIR which is a huge blow to a promising St. Louis squad, but when Thomas comes back, this team is a true contender even though they have a rather young core. Thomas is a star defensively minded forward, an absolute nightmare on the back check. He’s a guy who will give his all to get back into the play then feed his favorite target, Jordan Kyrou, and often light the lamp. He just plays hockey the right way and it’s really, really intriguing and interesting that he’s still not getting the attention that he deserves.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Brandon Hagel
Hagel has had a complete career resurgence in Tampa Bay. His ability to find shot lanes through traffic is remarkable and, despite his size, can really pave his way through the crease. He’s become a real weapon on the PP because of Stamkos’ departure and has quickly become Nikita Kucherov’s, who is the main puck handler on the powerplay, favorite weapon on cross ice chances.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Matthew Knies
Knies is still only 23 years old and has shown glimpses of really great play. If he can put it all together soon, this guy is going to be dangerous on the wing. His 6’3 frame allows for some nastiness down the boards and he has a very underrated wrister. If he can elevate his play enough to jump in on the Auston Matthews line, be ready for some production because he has all the tools to be a star in this league.
Utah Hockey Club: Mikhail Sergachev
Sergachev has embraced his role as the best player on the Utah Hockey Club quickly. That may be an opinionated statement, but his play reflects how hard he’s worked to get back from injury. Not only did he not lose a step despite surgery, but he looks even better than when he was in Tampa. Being on a line with Victor Hedman in the past certainly limited him offensively and now we are seeing him jump up on the rush, send shots to the net, and even battle in front of the net on the powerplay. He’s a true jack of all traits and is displaying some elite play for the new expansion team.
Vancouver Canucks: Danton Heinen
A true two-way forward, Heinen has been a great addition for Vancouver. They are loaded offensively, but Heinen provides not only depth, but also a great penalty killer. Heinen was good in Boston, but he’s taken a clear leap lately for the Canucks.
Vegas Golden Knights: Ivan Barbashev
Barbashev blazing down the boards looking for the puck is something we just did not see when he was on the Blues. Mark Stone, the Vegas captain, loves to find Barbashev on breakaway passes and Ivan usually finishes them. He has really improved his stick handling, rarely turns the puck over, and can take faceoffs if necessary.
Washington Capitals: Connor McMichael
He’s so young, but McMichael has shown glimpses of a true offensive weapon late last year and early this season. He is a good penalty killer as well. Him and Ovechkin have a clear connection on the powerplay and McMichael, who’s a true energizer bunny off the bench, has phenomenal skating ability and instincts.
Winnipeg Jets: Kyle Connor
It’s crazy how good Kyle Connor is; he might be the best goal scorer not named Auston Matthews in all of hockey. He buries shots from the most insane angles and is an always reliable option on the powerplay. He has scored in six straight to start the year, a feat that the Jets have not seen in more than a decade.
