Players you thought were overrated. But aren't

[Mr Positive]

David Backes

 

[Flamer12]

Ryan O'reilly

 

[kirby11]

Zuccarello, Vlasic, RoR, Stralman

 

[CrypTic]

I thought Gaudreau had too much hype, seems he didn't have enough

in 2012 I didn't think Crawford could be a good starting goalie.... and then he won 2 cups

Did not think Ekblad would live up to his expectations and seems like he stepped in and immediately did

I was wary about Gaudreau. I thought he'd be very good but he's been better than I expected. Same for Crawford and especially Price. Ekholm and Ellis are two Nashville d-men I hadn't paid much attention to until the Preds-Sharks series but they were both excellent.

I've always liked Tanev, probably bc he reminds me of Vlasic and Braun. I've like Kessel for a while too, but moreso after the 2014 Olympics. I've really liked Karlsson for quite a while too. It's probably easy for me to say for both of them bc I watch more of the Pacific Div teams than EC teams so I'm neutral about most of those teams. Liked the Sharks players mentioned but I'm a sharks' fan so I'd be one of the ppl possibly overrating players like Pavelski, Vlasic, and Couture.

I didn't like Couture that much at first, though, bc the Sharks' org was really trying to push him as the new face of the Sharks for a few years and that got old. I knew it wasn't his fault but it made me not like him as much. Kind of like how the NHL pushed Crosby for a long time then ppl pushed McDavid and IMO it backfires after a while. (The Couture hype was on a lower level than Crosby or McDavid but it's the same effect.)

 

[BruinsBtn]

Gaudreau. He's legit. Kucherov too.

 

[Penguinator]

Interesting thread, a tougher question would be: Players you thought were underrated. But aren't.

Good luck with that! (you might want to cut your finger nails before you start scratching your heads...)

 

[HarryLime]

I'd pick ROR too but the money thing makes me hate him lol. He is the Revis of hockey with his contract disputes.

 

[Ukki]

Might be too early to say this but Drouin.

 

[SB164]

I thought Tyler Johnson would come back down to earth but as I watched him in the playoffs again this year, he really looked like the heart and soul of that Tampa team. Dude is a fierce competitor, insanely skilled, and absolutely clutch.

I just wonder how his smaller frame is gonna handle the beating that he gets in the playoffs though.

 

[Roo Mad Bro]

Tavares for me.