A Closer Look at the NHL's Rising Stars

1 of 13

With the NHL today we are missing a lot of great young talent. So this article will hopefully jump start the reader to become more aware of exactly whats going on the NHL and who's making it really happen.

This sideshow contains just 10 of the many underrated players in the NHL you may know some you may not its not so much that there known its more that there underestimated and not respected enough for what there capable of doing.

Anze Kopitar

Anze Kopitar the hot shot from L.A, He is terribly underrated and most people don't even know who the guy is. He is currently the Kings scoring leader with 11 Goals and 23 Assist. He is definitely worth ticket price to go watch.

Blake Wheeler

New to Boston,He was drafted by Phoenix in 2004. He has exploded in Boston but outside of the Garden he is not the hot topic in hockey even though he does deserve it.

Zach Parise

Not one of the most underrated but he is still below the line. Zach Parise has already mounted an Impressive season for New Jersey with 52 Points in 45 games. He has been moving up in popularity but he still needs that last push.

Erik Johnson

Very New to the NHL but has proved himself as a staple in the St.Louis Blue Line. St.Louis felt the impact of his Acl tear for the 08-09 season. IN his first year he put 33 points which is impressive for a first year defense men

Alex Steen

Now on St.Louis but I did observe his career in Toronto he put up some pretty decent numbers If you ever get to watch him he is definitely a big team contributor he will skate with best of them and any team he is on he will benefit.

Steven Stamkos

A true rookie in the NHL we first saw in him the season opener against the Rangers even though his numbers are not high 17 points are decent for his situation. Stamkos has a promising future in the NHL keep an eye on him.

Phil Kessel

Although I'm pretty sure Phil has been set in stone in Boston I think he still needs that boost to get what he deserves like Parise he is on his way but just not quite there he is a great player that puts up awesome numbers for the Bruins.

Marc-Edouard Vlasic

This is his third year with the sharks but he is already two points away from matching his career high season points, The sharks dominating the west doesn't hurt that situation I think he will end up with his first 30+ point season this year possibly get his name engraved on lord Stanley's Cup

Nikolai Zherdev

Putting up a solid 61 points last year for Columbus this diamond in the rough is now on the Rangers with 38 points in 46 games. He has made some incredible plays through his career including a unforgettable goal against Chicago in OT

Antoine Vermette

Antoine is off to a rough start this year but who on the sens isn't. Hes put up good points in the pass and has the ability to score those needed clutch goals hes has good speed and a pretty sick shot and is nothing to be taken for granted.