Underappreciated NHLers

[silver_made*]

rules: can be from any point in NHL history (only NHL history)/only 1 player at a time/ you will state whether or not you agree (accompanied by an explanation) with the tag of 'underappreciated' bestowed upon the player introduced by the previous poster/at the end of your explanation post, you will introduce another player who you feel is underappreciated (which the following poster will address)

peter bondra (i will bring up and answer the first name since there is no poster preceeding me)

at first glance his stats do not look amazing, but breaking down his 477 goals in 984 games (thus far), you're talking about an avg. of 0.48 g/game, or 39.75 g/season prorated over an 82 games schedule for his career! a true sniper of his generation who is often glossed over when mentioning lamp-lighters like jagr, hull, bure, etc.

bernie nicholls...

Click to read more...

 

[reckoning]

Bernie Nicholls : Disagree. He was a good, above-average player who is remembered as that if not more. You could argue that he was underrated in the mid-80s, but that changed after `88-`89 when he became overrated. Scoring 70 goals is a major achievement, but Wayne Gretzky had a lot to do with that. Sure enough, once Nicholls was traded away his goal totals plummeted while Gretzky continued to lead the NHL in assists. If you take away the one season Nicholls was lucky enough to have Gretzky as a linemate, i don`t think anyone would be touting him as a Hall-of-Fame candidate. I`m not trying to knock him, he was a very good player; just not a great one.


Mark Howe

 

[MS]

Mark Howe - Ridiculously under-appreciated. How good he was has quickly been forgotten, and now he's remembered more as Gordie Howe's son than anything else (except maybe being harpooned by a goal net). For most of the 1980s, he was one of the top defenders in the game. Right up along with Bourque, Coffey, Langway, Potvin, and the like. The Brad Park of the 1980s - runner-up for the Norris 3 times, First-team All-star numerous times as well.

If he didn't spend 6 years in the WHA, he'd probably be in the HHOF. Over 1200 professional points. Amongst defenders, only Coffey, Bourque, and MacInnis have scored more. Yes, much of his WHA time was up front but it's still an elite total. That he had the versatility to score 100 points as a center in addition to later being a Norris-calibre defender should only add to his reputation (as it did for Red Kelly). IMO he does belong in the HHOF - his resume is at least as good as those of guys like Guy Lapointe and Larry Murphy, who have been inducted.


Kevin Lowe

 

[Big Phil]

Kevin Lowe - To me he was a solid enough of a defender. He gets forgotten among the Oilers dynasty. Not even close to a Hall of Famer IMO. Six Cups are pretty good but Lowe might have not been so noticed had he not gotten those Cups. To me he was remembered for the six Cups.


Dale Hawerchuk

 

[monkey_00*]

Kevin Lowe - To me he was a solid enough of a defender. He gets forgotten among the Oilers dynasty. Not even close to a Hall of Famer IMO. Six Cups are pretty good but Lowe might have not been so noticed had he not gotten those Cups. To me he was remembered for the six Cups.


Dale Hawerchuk

Dale Hawerchuk: Very skillful player who played in the same Era and was over-shadowed by the likes of Gretzky, Lemieux and Yzerman...also had the bad luck of playing on one of the NHL's "weaker sisters" the Winnipeg Jets...would have gotten more recognition playing in larger hockey markets like Toronto and Montreal.

Al Secord

 

[chooch*]

Bernie Nicholls : Disagree. He was a good, above-average player who is remembered as that if not more. You could argue that he was underrated in the mid-80s, but that changed after `88-`89 when he became overrated. Scoring 70 goals is a major achievement, but Wayne Gretzky had a lot to do with that. Sure enough, once Nicholls was traded away his goal totals plummeted while Gretzky continued to lead the NHL in assists. If you take away the one season Nicholls was lucky enough to have Gretzky as a linemate, i don`t think anyone would be touting him as a Hall-of-Fame candidate. I`m not trying to knock him, he was a very good player; just not a great one.


Mark Howe

Nicholls was the 2nd line centre on L.A.

ps. didnt know Mark Howe was not in HHOF - he definitely should be.

Stan Mikita: virtually forgotten except by Mike Meyers. Stan was a devastatingly good centre. Ross trophy. Very slick playmaker and clutch player.


Rick MacLeish

 

[mcphee]

Dale Hawerchuk: Very skillful player who played in the same Era and was over-shadowed by the likes of Gretzky, Lemieux and Yzerman...also had the bad luck of playing on one of the NHL's "weaker sisters" the Winnipeg Jets...would have gotten more recognition playing in larger hockey markets like Toronto and Montreal.

Al Secord

Al Secord was the perfect winger for Denis Savard. He fit like Gillies did with the Isles. Tough and an excellent finisher. He made life easier for his linemates and that meant more than just his numbers, which were impressive in their own right.





Doug Risebrough

 

[Snap Wilson]

Risebrough was annoying little sh*t. The kind of pest that every team wants and hates to play against.

Rogie Vachon!!!

 

[MS]

Doug Risebrough

Matt Cooke/Kirk Maltby of his day. Perfect third line forechecker/agitator on the 1970s Montreal dynasty. Plus a decent scoring touch. Key member of the 1986 Flames team that went to the finals as well. Playing style caused his career to be shortened by injuries - only played more than 70 games 5 times, less than 100 GP after age 30. Type of player that's invaluable on contending teams ... deserves to remembered as more than a poor GM.


Kevin Dineen

 

[Lowetide]

Al Secord

Al Secord. Played for the Hamilton Fincups, I think they played in the Mem Cup mid 70s, Dale McCourt would have been on that team too.

Secord was really strong, and he was tough too. Had a mean streak, and when healthy was a wrecking ball. Scored lots of his goals from in close and he went to the net like a moth to a flame.

Negatives would include taking some dumb penalties and every once in awhile he'd think he was Denis Savard and start over handling the puck. Nice player, though.

BRIAN PROPP

 

[John Flyers Fan]

BRIAN PROPP

Absolutely underated. The best forward by far on the Flyers mid-80's teams (perhaps the best ever to not win a Cup). IMO every bit equal to or slightly better than Hall of Famer Bill Barber. Never had the opportunity to play with a premiere centerman. Great snap shot, very good skater, and playmaker. Teamed with Dave Poulin to form one of the NHL's best penalty killing duos during the 1980's.

One of the CHL's 2 or 3 all-time best forwards, with 511 points in three seasons for Brandon. Entered the NHL from a dominant Brandon team in the WHL and the Flyers promptly went on a 35 game unbeaten streak 2 weeks into his NHL career.

Played more NHL playoff games than anyone to not win a Stanley Cup, reaching the Finals 5 times (Isles, Oilers 3 times, and Penguins). Key member for Canada in the 1987 Canada Cup.


NEAL BROTEN

 

[David Puddy]

NEAL BROTEN

I would say he was underappreciated. Broten was a great college player, helping the University of Minnesota to the 1978-79 NCAA Championship. Two years later he would win the first Hobey Baker Award after taking a year off from college to play for the 1980 US Olympic team, where he centered the second line.

When the Devils acquired him in 1994-95, he provided great two way play for the Devils' second line during the shortened regular season and the playoffs. In 20 post-season games, the Minnesota native scored 7 goals and added 12 assists in helping the franchise earn its first Stanley Cup.

Neal Broten also became the first US-born player to register over 100 points for an NHL season when he finished ninth in the league with 105 during 1985-86. He also finished that campaign fifth in assists with 76 assists.

His NHL numbers put him in the "just short of" category for the Hockey Hall of Fame. He finished with 634 assists and 923 points in 1099 games played. He did play in two NHL All-Star Games and is currently ranked 56th all-time in assists in the NHL.

I don't think Neal Broten gets recognition outside of Minnesota for what a fine hockey player he was.

Up next: GLENN "CHICO" RESCH

 

[Lou is God]

I would say he was underappreciated. Broten was a great college player, helping the University of Minnesota to the 1978-79 NCAA Championship. Two years later he would win the first Hobey Baker Award after taking a year off from college to play for the 1980 US Olympic team, where he centered the second line.

When the Devils acquired him in 1994-95, he provided great two way play for the Devils' second line during the shortened regular season and the playoffs. In 20 post-season games, the Minnesota native scored 7 goals and added 12 assists in helping the franchise earn its first Stanley Cup.

Neal Broten also became the first US-born player to register over 100 points for an NHL season when he finished ninth in the league with 105 during 1985-86. He also finished that campaign fifth in assists with 76 assists.

His NHL numbers put him in the "just short of" category for the Hockey Hall of Fame. He finished with 634 assists and 923 points in 1099 games played. He did play in two NHL All-Star Games and is currently ranked 56th all-time in assists in the NHL.

I don't think Neal Broten gets recognition outside of Minnesota for what a fine hockey player he was.

Up next: GLENN "CHICO" RESCH

I would say he did what was expected of him, was a solid goalie on a very good Islanders team and a unfortunte goalie with a very bad Rockies and Devils teams in the early '80's.

Seems like he never really experience playing on a just .500 team and one way or the other they were either very good or very bad. But for the most part he held his own and was always a fan favorite no matter where he went. So most definetly not underappreciated.



RANDY McKAY

 

[Porn*]

I would say he did what was expected of him, was a solid goalie on a very good Islanders team and a unfortunte goalie with a very bad Rockies and Devils teams in the early '80's.

Seems like he never really experience playing on a just .500 team and one way or the other they were either very good or very bad. But for the most part he held his own and was always a fan favorite no matter where he went. So most definetly not underappreciated.



RANDY McKAY

Randy McKay...
gms g a p pim Pgm g a pt pim
932 162 201 363 1731 123 20 23 43 123



Throughout his career he's been a defensive workhorse... his regular season stats aren't anything special but his leadership and non stat attributes are irreplaceable. His playoff performances put him where he is today... 1pt/3gms on average is incredible for a team leader who focuses on the little things in the game.


Underrated... Darren Puppa

 

[Malefic74]

Daren Puppa not really under-appreciated IMO. Only had three NHL seasons where he played more than half the games and only two seasons with 20 or more wins. A solid but unspectacular stand-up goalie who benefitted a lot from the defensive era he played in. Ultimately injuries ended his career (particularly a wonky back) and he never played more than 26 games in the last four seasons he was in the league. He had a couple of very good and even great seasons, but there are a lot of other goalies who have had better careers and are as obscure and underappreciated as he is. Pete Peeters for instance.


Bobby Smith

 

[Chili]

Bobby Smith[/B]

Bobby Smith, fine career, consistent scorer, leader, clean player in the mold of a Beliveau or Ratelle.

Doug Jarvis

 

[John Flyers Fan]

Bobby Smith

Had a nice career, but had the size and skill to have a lot more than just a "nice" career. IMO an underacheiver.

 

[Malefic74]

Doug Jarvis a graduate of the Roger Neilson school of defence in Peterborough. A second round pick of the Leafs who traded him for nothing to Montreal. Once there he became the quintessential defensive centre and along with the incomparable Bob Gainey formed one of the best PK units the league has seen. The two also combined with wingers like Reggie Houle, Dave Roberts and Murray Wilson to completely shutdown any opposition they faced. He won the Selke and Masterson trophies and still holds the NHL ironman record with 964 consecutive games, made even more impressive by the fact he's only 5'9 and played at about 170 lbs. Didn't get his due playing defence-first in the wide open 80s, but would really flourish in the game now. Definitely underappreciated.

Bobby Carpenter