Joe Thornton
Joe Thornton, forward for the San Jose Sharks, is one of the most consistent point-producers in the game. Since 2000-01, he has had a points-per-game average during the regular season of at least 0.875 in every one of those 11 seasons. He has also had many breakout seasons throughout his career, such as in 2002-03; when he scored 101 points in 77 games for the Boston Bruins, and in 2006-07; when he scored a career-high 114 points in a full 82 games. In his 15 seasons-long career, he has maintained a points-per-game average of 1,005 in the regular season, and 0.75 during his 109 playoff games.
Jarome Iginla
While Iginla may be the face of the Calgary Flames in recent years, he deserves much more credit than he’s given. Drafted 11th overall in the 1995 draft, Iginla scored 136 points in 63 games with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL during that season. He then moved on to the NHL, and scored 1,014 points in 1,019 games. Iginla has also played for Team Canada at the Olympic Games three times throughout his career, and notched 14 points in 19 games at the Olympics. Iginla may be well-known throughout the Canadian hockey world, but his skill and talent are under estimated and often times hidden behind his various Team Canada, Nike and Scotia Bank commercials; on which his fame heavily relies.
Patrick Sharp
To think about the Chicago Blackhawks, is mainly to think about Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. There is a highly underrated player, however, that sits closely behind Kane and Toews on the Blackhawks’ top scorer’s list. The left winger, Patrick Sharp, has been a valuable aspect to the Blackhawks’ success, and his value is unknown to most hockey fans. In his six seasons with Chicago, Sharp put up solid points: 301 points in 427 games and 25 of those goals were game winners. On any other team he would be a well-known star, but behind Kane and Toews, Patrick Sharp is simply an overlooked talent.
Tuukka Rask
Tuukka Rask, a Finland-born 21st overall draft pick in 2005, is well-hidden behind 5’11’’ goaltender Tim Thomas. Despite Thomas’ short height, he leaves no room for Rask to have some of the Boston Bruins’ fan’s love. At age 24, Tuukka Rask is well-qualified to be a starting goaltender and even to prove himself as someone a team could rely on for an entire season. But in Boston, where Tim Thomas’ is considered a blessing for the city, Rask rarely gets a chance to show off his talent. In the times he has been given a spot on the B’s starting line-up, Rask has not failed to impress, recording a .925 save percentage throughout his career; better than Thomas’ .922 career save percentage. It seems as though in Boston stats don’t mean much, as Rask only got to play in 29 games last season, but despite that low number of opportunities, Tuukka Rask is still one of the best goalies in the entire league.
Drew Stafford
The Buffalo Sabres, since the lockout, haven’t had a season during which they didn’t compete for a playoff spot. In 5 seasons, they’ve never finished below 10th place in the Eastern Conference, and their success can be blamed on many franchise players, such as Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville and Derek Roy. There is one franchise player however that often gets left behind. Drew Stafford got drafted by the Sabres 13th overall in the 2004 entry draft. In his rookie season, he recorded 27 points in 41 games, and by his 3rd season, he had 110 points throughout 184 games. Last season, he finished 3rd on his team in points per game and was only one goal shy of tying Vanek for most goals by a Sabres player. Stafford has shown that with dedication, a player can keep up with 5th overall picks such as Thomas Vanek.
Shane Doan
In a city like Phoenix, where the Coyote’s 2010-11 season attendance was as low as 6,706 fans, it’s very hard for a player to get noticed. And one of those players that deserve a lot more attention is right winger, Shane Doan. Drafted in 1995, the Coyote’s 7th pick overall proved to be very valuable to the team. In the team’s last seven seasons, Doan has led the team in points. Last season, Doan picked up 60 points in 72 games and led his team to a playoff berth. If the Coyotes can make it past the first round of the playoffs this season, the team is sure to attract more much-needed attention from the fans, and Shane Doan will attract attention he is meant to have as well.
Toni Lydman
Toni Lydman is currently one of the league’s best defenseman. At 6’1’’ and 202 lbs, he is the perfect balance of size and agility. Drafted in the 4th round at the 1996 entry draft by the Anaheim Ducks, very little was expected of Lydman. During the start of his career his stats were mediocre but in recent years, he has proven to be improving greatly with each season’s end. Last season, Lydman tied for second in the league in plus-minus, with a rating of +32. He also had 22 assists throughout the season, making him a solid defender as well as a good player offensively.
David Backes
David Backes is an all-around forward who gets anything but the recognition he deserves. Drafted by the St-Louis Blues in 2003, he was expected to be a mediocre point producer and help fill in holes in the Blues’ 2nd or 3rd line. In his last 3 NHL seasons with St-Louis, he has proven to be a 1st line calibre forward and a point-producer for years to come. In those three seasons, he produced 164 points in 243 games. Last season, he led his team is points and goals, and also was tied for 2nd in the league in plus-minus rating. Those stats easily back-up David Backes as being one of the league’s most underrated players.