We're starting up a series where we look at the most underrated positional players in each conference. Up first, we share our picks for most underrated forward in the East.
Todd Cordell
My pick is Columbus Blue Jackets winger Josh Anderson and I'm not sure it's close.
I rarely see him talked about – some casual fans may not even know who he is – but he's been absolutely fantastic for the Jackets and is one of the reasons they're within two points of 1st in the league's toughest division.
At 5v5, he is tied for 8th in goals and has more than Vladimir Tarasenko, Jamie Benn, Connor McDavid, Tyler Seguin, Evgeni Malkin, and many of the league's brightest stars. In terms of scoring chances, he fares even better as only Jeff Skinner, Alex Ovechkin, and Tarasenko, have generated more at full-strength.
He's quickly developed into one of the better power forwards in the league and has garnered little recognition. It's time to change that.
Peter Tessier One thing often confused is underrated and under appreciated and in this case they are both the same. Mathew Barzal is quietly having a great season while Tavares, Bailey, and Lee get all the headlines. In his first season, he has 8 goals and 22 points for 30 points in 34 games.
His on-ice CF% is 53.72 and 3rd on the Islanders and he's not riding any extreme level of PDO luck at 5vs5 either. Even when the measurement is score and venue adjusted Barzal still shines. He's the kind of player the Oilers could use right about now.
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