As the 2014-2015 season closes on this final night (or day for some), I wanted to look back at some players who had underrated years. The guys who won't be up for accolades. That won't have their names splattered across social media. Guys who are integral parts of their team’s successes, while maintaining a distance from the lime light.
The definition of underrated is fairly simple in concept, but tricky in execution. The player has to generate enough success to be known, but not enough success that you aren't a little shocked when you realize the impact they're having. Sometimes a player can be "underrated" for so long, they simply fall out of the category (Loui Eriksson). Sometimes an "underrated" player steps into the spotlight at wilts (Jordan Staal as a "first line centre on any other team").
For the purposes of this blog I've tried focusing on who has had an underrated season in 2014-2015. While career under-appreciation is valued, it doesn't weigh as much.
Centre - Derek Stepan
Originally I had planned to put Tampa's Tyler Johnson in this group. The undrafted and undersized phenom has been amazing this season with 72 points in 76 games. If you went to Vegas and bet that Johnson would lead the Lightning in points by the end of the year, you probably got laughed out of the casino. I think people realize how good he and thee headed kid line is though. Stepan...well Stepan doesn't get the respect he deserves. Despite a stretch of scoreless games, Stepan is having an excellent season again as the most unheralded first line centre in the game. The 24 year old has 55 points in 67 games, which on the surface might not sound all that impressive, yet it's good for the 16th highest PPG among centres. It's also interesting to note that of all the 14 players ahead of him, only he; Getzlaf and Johnson don't have over 20 power play points. What's really impressive though is that Stepan is second in shorthanded points with 5, is a +26 (I know, I know) and won't be in any discussion about great "two-way" centres. Why not? Reputation trumps performance. Also...he's pretty garbage on face-offs and that seems to be the only thing the writers care about. He's having a great year, has had three very good years and at his age...we'll be hearing more about him in the years to come.
Right Wing - Radim Vrbata
So many old Czech's to choose from. I can't use Jagr though; we all know how amazing he is. Vrbata is a different story. He has quietly found himself tied for 12th in goal scoring this season with 31 goals. His second 30 goal campaign of his career. He's also one point off from matching his career high set in 2011-2012. Vrbata has always been an interesting player. A middling top-6 sniper that couldn't seem to put it together until he went to Phoenix. He's had some quietly strong years and this one is no different. With 61 points he sits behind the Sedin's in Vancouver's hierarchy of scoring. The gap between third place Vrbata and fourth place Bonino? 23 points. Vrbata is also the only Canuck over 20 goals, though the depth scoring has been reasonably strong. He's one of the highest scoring right wingers this season in the seventh spot ahead of many players with a lot more clout.
Left Wing - Jiri Hudler
It's been a pretty good year for Czech players I must say. Voracek almost won the Art Ross, Palat has come into his own, the aforementioned Vrbata and his 31 goals, Plekanec having his best season in years, Jagr working wonders with Barkov and Huberdeau, 18 year old rookie Pastrnak has been an unexpected bright spot for some dark times for the Bruins and Pavelec having a career year that he needed to stay relevant. However nobody stands out quite like Jiri Hudler. If I asked you who led the Flames in points, your first instinct would probably be the two kids. Monahan or Gaudreau. However it's Hudler. If I asked you who led the Flames in goals? You'd probably think that was definitely @BoringSeanMonahan. Again, Hudler. Would I ever expect Hudler to score at the pace of 76 points in 78 games again? Probably not. However he has been a very underrated top-6 scorer including leading the Flames last season as well. Here's the clincher though...Hudler's 60 even strength points leads the entire NHL. That's insane.
Defense - Andrei Markov
PK Subban is a superstar, Carey Price is a superstar and Max Pacioretty has a difficult last name to spell and silly eyebrows. Why is Markov never mentioned when discussing the success of the Habs? Markov has been a two-way force in this league for years. Always quietly being excellent. This season is again a testament to how little attention is paid to a great defender. He's still averaging over 24 minutes a game, is the Habs top penalty killing defenseman and managed to lead the Habs in power play points. With 49 points in 80 games, he's in 11th for scoring by defenseman. Points are nice and all, but I think the real reason Markov is so underrated is simply his intelligence and defensive awareness. This is a guy who was never really a quick skater, blew out his knee two years in a row and looked like he was skating in molasses when he returned. He’s back to playing at All-Star levels of quality. He’s been underrated for years and this season is no different.
Defense - John Carlson
There are a lot of reasons for the Capitals improved play. A lot of people credit OV on a “bounce back… Hart level season. I really hate that “bounce back… means he has a good +/-. Oh well. People credit Trotz. People credit Holtby. Nobody seems to credit the sixth highest scoring defenseman in the NHL and their number one defender. His 38 even strength points are one behind Subban for tops in the league for defensemen. He’s their top penalty killer, doesn’t even get top billing on the power play and yet is still so successful in all three zones. He’s only 25 and has been in the NHL for practically six seasons being consistently good. I just feel he’s underrated. Also before Flames fans come to…flame me…Brodie is getting his deserved praise this year and nobody cares about Russell!
Goalie - Semyon Varlamov
Varlamov was robbed of the Vezina last season as the Corsi Killing Avalanche rode his brilliance into the playoffs. Won the most games in the NHL that year, had the second highest save percentage while also facing the most shots in the NHL by almost 200 shots. What would he follow the year up with? Well he was injured for a small chunk of the year, but other than that he has still been great. He hasn’t been as good as his Vezina deserving year, still impressive though. He still managed to start 56 games, has a strong .921sv% and 5 shutouts. Despite the Avs having one of the worst defenses in the league he has been great. Holden, Guenin, Stuart, Redmond and old man Hejda…that’s not an NHL defense. For as disastrous a season as many Avalanche players, if not the entire organization as a whole have had, Varlamov can’t be lumped into that.
My 2014-2015 Underrated Team
Jiri Hudler - Derek Stepan - Radim Vrbata
Andrei Markov - John Carlson
Semyon Varlamov
Thanks for reading.