Here is my ranked opinion of the top 10 most underrated players in the NHL as of late 2025.
"Underrated" means players who consistently deliver elite or high-impact performance (offensively, defensively, or both) but rarely get mentioned among the league's top stars.
1. Gustav Forsling (D, Florida Panthers)
Elite shutdown defenseman who excels at neutralizing top lines (including McDavid in multiple Finals). Peers frequently vote him as the most underrated, yet he rarely cracks top-50 discussions despite his role in back-to-back Cups.
2. Jaccob Slavin (D, Carolina Hurricanes)
Arguably the best pure defensive blueliner in the NHL. He receives consistent Norris votes but flies under the radar because he prioritizes prevention over points.
3. Sebastian Aho (C, Carolina Hurricanes)
Point-per-game two-way center who led peer votes for underrated in recent polls. He thrives in a low-spotlight market despite elite production and versatility.
4. Nico Hischier (C, New Jersey Devils)
Near point-per-game over recent seasons, elite faceoff winner, and strong defensively. He plays in Hughes' shadow but stands as one of the league's top all-around centers.
5. Mikael Backlund (C, Calgary Flames)
Longtime two-way standout and clutch performer. He serves as the archetype of a player who anchors tough matchups without flashy stats.
6. Clayton Keller (C, Utah HC)
Drives play for a non-contender with high-end skill and vision. He produces consistently but gets overlooked outside Arizona/Utah circles.
7. Aleksander Barkov (C, Florida Panthers)
Even after Cups and Selkes, some peers (and analytics) still call him underrated for his all-world two-way dominance. He misses time this season due to injury, keeping him out of some conversations.
8. Martin Necas (C/RW, Colorado Avalanche)
Broke out with 83 points in 2024-25 after a trade. His speed and vision make him a top-tier two-way forward, yet he remains under the radar next to MacKinnon.
9. Kirill Marchenko (RW, Columbus Blue Jackets)
Exploded for 74 points (31 goals) in 2024-25 on a rebuilding team. He represents a classic "who is this guy?" breakout that hasn't fully registered league-wide.
10. Stefan Noesen (RW, New Jersey Devils)
Bounced around early but became a possession beast and net-front force. Advanced stats love him, but traditional recognition lags.
Honorable mentions: Matt Boldy (MIN), Logan Cooley (UTA), Vince Dunn (SEA), and Aliaksei Protas (WSH) for strong cases based on recent production and analytics. Underrated status can shift quickly with awards or big playoff runs!