The Tri-state Areas 5 Most Underrated NHL Players
Everyone knows the importance of the role players. They go by as the unsung heroes that sometimes make the difference between winning or losing a Stanley Cup. But the players on this list are not role players. These are superstars that are not recognized by the national media for some reason.
Each team in the Tri-state area has a player or two on their team that falls into this category. Sure, the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils have legitimate superstars on their teams, but there are some players who go unrecognized for some reason.
The Rangers have some of the most talent in the NHL. Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi used to fall under the category of underrated players, but both have asserted themselves as great players over the last few years. They have players such as Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan who are both the next generation of superstars for their teams, but they also have players that aren't household names that seem to get the job done night in and night out.
The Islanders are one of the best young teams in the league. After a decade of futility, the Islanders are finally back and are looking to build off their surprising playoff appearance from last season. John Tavares is a stud. There is no questioning that, but the Islanders have surrounded their star with a great supporting cast.
The Devils are no longer the powerhouse they once were, but they still have great talent on their team. They lost their star in Ilya Kovalchuk as he went overseas to Russia and the KHL, but the Devils will always get the job done. They have built a winning culture that organizations around the league want to emulate. They have brought great players into the league and have some underappreciated talent.
Each of these teams has great players, but here are the five most underrated players out of the Tri-state area.
5. Anton Stralman
Anton Stralman has become one of the most steady defenseman the Rangers have had in a long time. He is never going to light it up on the offensive end, but he has a deceiving shot that gets by goalies. He rarely makes mistakes in his own zone and has shown he can be a top-four defenseman if he is asked to.
4. Bryce Salvador
Bryce Salvador is the Devils' captain. He too is not a flashy player, but he is never going to get caught making a bad play in his own zone and is a great leader.
3. Michael Grabner
If there is an example of how speed kills, it is Michael Grabner. It seems like in every game he is on the ice for the Islanders, he is getting a scoring chance from his speed alone. He is a star in the making and the Islanders would be smart to lock him up long-term.
2. Carl Hagelin
Carl Hagelin is another great example of how speed kills. He is a player who can play in every situation for the Rangers. He has yet to play a full season in the league yet, but always gets the job done.
1. Matt Moulson
The other day, I wrote and article about Hagelin being the most underrated player in the league. Then I watched the Islanders play and seeing Matt Moulson changed my mind. Moulson is always around the net scoring goals. If John Tavares is Batman, then Moulson is his Robin. This is a contract year for Moulson and just like Grabner, the Islanders would be foolish not to lock him up long-term.
