In this edition we share our picks for the NHL's most underrated forward.
Todd Cordell
I'm going to go with the Norwegian Hobbit Mats Zuccarello.
At just 5'7' he is at a huge size disadvantage yet he continues to produce year in, year out.
Since the beginning of the 2013-14 season he's tallied 130 points in 184 games. That equates to 58 points per 82 games.
Those points haven't just been on the power play, either, as he ranks 17th among 175 forwards (minimum 2,000 minutes) in 5 v 5 points per 60 with 2.17.
He ranks ahead of the likes of Steven Stamkos, Max Pacioretty, Jonathan Toews, Phil Kessel and Ryan Johansen, among many others, in that span.
He's a big point producer, a possession driver and he still doesn't get much recognition league wide. He's my pick for the most underrated/underappreciated forward.
Jason Lewis Whew, lot of different ways you can go here. For pure under the radar, key role stuff, you could say Marcus Kruger in Chicago. For what they provide offensively and have so in the past with Vancouver and Arizona, Alex Burrows and Radim Vrbata are both often overlooked in their contributions. Martin Hanzal is another guy who is not really respected for staying afloat statistically on a team that frequently struggles. Patrice Bergeron also is underrated. We are talking a top 3 or top 5 center in the league. Normally he gets lumped in with the 7-10 group and beyond.
If I am singling out one guy in particular recently though, Mathieu Perreault with Winnipeg. "Undersized", traded twice, but a constantly good second tier player who is on pace for a career year right now. Great vision, shifty skater, picks his times and spots to shoot very well. He would be making a heck of a complementary player in Anaheim right now had they opted to keep him after 2013-14.
John Jaeckel Joe Pavelski
Great player. Versatile, high hockey sense, gifted hands, and tough for his size. Doesn't get the recognition I think because he plays on the West Coast and his team seems always engulfed in other story lines and underperformance. I'd also say Jeff Carter.
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