Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are having a week full of celebrations, with Crosby reaching 1,600 points and Malkin hitting his 500th goal.
Crosby often finds himself in conversations about being a top-five player ever, while Malkin is seen as underrated, famously left out of the NHL’s top 100 list in 2017 despite winning many awards.
The question arises: who will be the next underrated star like Malkin? Let’s explore some possibilities.
Potential Future Underrated Stars:
Mikko Rantanen might be that player we look back on and wonder how he racked up so many points. Nestled between legends like Brett Hull and Alex Ovechkin in points per game, he’s played alongside greats like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Yet only four players have scored more than him over the last five years. Fans might think he’s already making his mark quietly but powerfully.
David Pastrnak from Boston is another name that comes to mind. Known for his incredible scoring ability, he’s achieved remarkable feats by age 27—like a Rocket Richard Trophy at just 23! Despite not having a Stanley Cup yet, his playoff performance speaks volumes with a pace of 36 goals in postseason games. This ‘Pasta’ isn’t just cooking; he’s simmering towards Hall of Fame status.
Dylan Larkin may not shine as brightly as some peers but has consistently hit at least 60 points five times during less competitive times for Detroit Red Wings. What if he had been picked by Dallas Stars back in 2014? At age 28, there’s still time for him to lead Detroit back to glory days.
Anthony Di Marco suggests defenseman Miro Heiskanen could be overlooked among today’s flashy defenders like Quinn Hughes or Cale Makar. Despite never being nominated for the Norris Trophy , Heiskanen’s skills on both sides are undeniable—averaging over 25 minutes per game between ’19-’24! Could he become this era’s most underappreciated talent?
Scott Maxwell believes Charlie McAvoy deserves recognition too; overshadowed by stars such as Fox or Hughes due to lower point totals (career high: 56). Since Zdeno Chara left Boston Bruins without deep playoff runs yet again… Is it time McAvoy steps into spotlight?
What do you think about these players? Are they truly underrated or just waiting their turn under brighter lights?
