Looking at Most Underrated New York Rangers of 2014-15

The New York Rangers have been successful this season because players such as Rick Nash, Martin St. Louis, Derek Stepan and Henrik Lundqvist have come through when the team has needed it most.

These stars have deservedly earned a ton of recognition, but there are other players who have flown under the radar and haven't received their due.

To correct that oversight, here are some of the Rangers’ most underrated players of 2014-15.

Note: if a player is omitted, it isn't because of his lack of worth, but rather the opinion that he is getting the recognition they deserve. 

Carl Hagelin

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Carl Hagelin is a forward whom many might peg to be the odd man out when it comes time to re-sign free agents. He is looked at as an expendable player who will just become too expensive.

While his next raise may end up costing the Rangers, he is an underrated player who doesn’t get credit for all that he does.

He may not have the best hands or finishing skills in the world but generates offense using his speed and two-way acumen. Hagelin is a great defensive player who kills penalties and is a decent third-line player on pace to finish with 35 points.

Successful teams all have these bottom-six forwards who can provide a spark of offense from time to time, which is what Hagelin does for the Rangers.

Lee Stempniak

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Lee Stempniak has proven to be one of general manager Glen Sather’s better low-risk signings in recent memory, and he has played well in a limited role for the Blueshirts. Stempniak has six goals and 14 points in 38 games, all while playing on the third and fourth lines.

Stempniak is a solid goal scorer and power-play specialist, and he’d be more useful to the Rangers if he were properly utilized for the rest of the season. Tanner Glass skated in Stempniak’s place against the New York Islanders in the January 27 loss but provided nothing of positive value.

Stempniak is only 31 and can still be a productive player, but he needs to stay in the lineup for that to happen.

Kevin Hayes

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Kevin Hayes was signed as a free agent this past summer after he failed to sign with the Chicago Blackhawks. The move has been an underrated one, as Hayes has played very well as a rookie in a fourth-line role.

He has a lot of work to do (especially on faceoffs) if he is going to be an NHL center, but his defensive play at this stage of his career is impressive.

Hayes is seldom caught off guard in the defensive zone and is also a bull on the puck. The 6’5” forward has a knack of skating with the puck through traffic and wears down opponents with continuous zone time.

Hayes could probably use some polishing in the AHL, but pacing 32 points as a rookie in a bottom-six role is something to applaud.

J.T. Miller

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The word "divisive" is the best way to describe J.T. Miller, because there seems to be no middle ground in fans' opinions of him. Some love him as a prospect, while others are unwilling to allow him to go through his growing pains.

The latter feeling is shared by head coach Alain Vigneault from time to time, as evidenced by his willingness to dress Tanner Glass over Miller. Miller is not normally in direct competition with Glass, but he is now due to the team's decision to try Glass on the wing with the logjam at center.

Miller is an underappreciated player who produces when he is put in the lineup, but I fear he will be shortsightedly traded at some point in the future. In 24 games, Miller has five goals and 10 points. He has the potential to be a very good second-liner once he fully develops.

The 21-year-old needs time at the NHL level to prove himself, but it is still unknown if that will happen in New York. He is on pace to finish with 26 points in 61 games, which would be a success considering the manner in which he has been used.

Stats courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com.