The Most Underrated Player at Every Position in the 2014-15 NHL Season

Our all-underrated NHL team could do very well in competition.

The term itself is subject to plenty of interpretation and therefore scrutiny in the comments section. However, there are some players in this one writer's opinion who should be talked about more than they are.

There are varying degrees of slight and multiple reasons that make perfect sense as to why these guys aren't getting the kind of credit they deserve at the moment—from bigger names they play with to numbers that only stand out with closer examination.

Click through to see the selections and some other strong candidates.

Goaltender: Cory Schneider, New Jersey Devils

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

What he's done: Only four goalies have started at least 45 games this season and own a save percentage of .925 or higher. The other three—Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens, Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators and the Minnesota Wild's Devan Dubnyk—are front-runners for the Vezina Trophy. Schneider's save percentage of .929 ranks second on that list, and his 2.16 GAA is the NHL's fifth-best. 

Why he's underrated: Thanks to a Devils lineup that lacks depth, youth and talent—even before trading away Jaromir Jagr and Marek Zidlicky—the one area where Schneider lags behind the top 'tenders is wins. His 26 rank 15th in the league, which is actually impressive considering the Devils are third-worst in scoring. In his first year as a full-time starter, he's still seeking the respect the other top goalies garner.

Other candidates: Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals; Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks

Defenseman: John Carlson, Washington Capitals

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

What he's done: With 11 goals, 36 assists and 47 points, Carlson is on pace to finish with 53 points. He's already shattered his career highs offensively and is top-20 in average minutes with 24:30 per game—up one-and-a-half minutes over last year's average. His 181 blocked shots is third-most among defenders. His dozen power-play points are tied for 31st, but his average ice time with the man advantage ranks 86th among defensemen.

Why he's underrated: Head coach Barry Trotz plays Carlson excessively in all situations except the power play. Mike Green gets the nod for first-unit time, with the other four spots taken by forwards. If he was playing the added minutes on the special teams unit like he was last season, averaging more than three minutes per game in that capacity, his total minutes would be among the top three to five blueliners.

Other candidates: Niklas Kronwall, Detroit Red Wings; Andrei Markov, Montreal Canadiens

Defenseman: TJ Brodie, Calgary Flames

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

What he's done: Eleven defensemen have averaged at least 25 minutes per game this season. Of those, seven have scored at least 10 goals. Five have a plus/minus of at least 15. Brodie is on pace for about 45 points and is as well-rounded as young defensemen get.

Why he's underrated: For one, he's overshadowed by Calgary Flames captain Mark Giordano, his defense partner, the same way Roman Josi is in Nashville. Josi, though, has the eye-popping point production to stand out, while Brodie's tally is impressive but not remarkable. His value comes in the sum of his work statistically.

Other candidates: Justin Faulk, Carolina Hurricanes; Anton Stralman, Tampa Bay Lightning

Left Winger: Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

What he's done: With 35 goals and 63 points, the 26-year-old Pacioretty is up near the top of multiple categories. He's fourth in goals. Second with nine game-winners behind Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. Best in the NHL with a plus/minus of plus-40. He's also taken the second-most shots with 282 on the year.

Why he's underrated: He's consistent but not spectacular, at least when you compare the offensive numbers to players on other franchises who are equally as valuable to their teams. But if you compare his stats to those of his teammates and add in his leadership qualities, Pacioretty is among the best.

Other candidates: Andrew Ladd, Winnipeg Jets; Alex Steen, St. Louis Blues

Center: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

What he's done: The 21-year-old is already in his fourth season and has hit the 20-goal mark while setting a pace for a career-high 60-plus points. It doesn't make him an elite middle man, but he's on his way there. Did we mention he's only 21 and in his fourth season? He's been on a tear recently, with six goals and 14 points in his last seven games.

Why he's underrated: If you were to name a center, any center, you think has played more minutes on average per game than any other—in the entire NHL—who would it be? If you weren't reading this slide, I bet Ryan Nugent-Hopkins wasn't anywhere near your top 20. You might be one of the many who still hasn't heard of him. It's because he plays for the Oilers. He's a talented young player who has yet to grab the league spotlight.

Other candidates: Brandon Dubinsky, Columbus Blue Jackets; Brandon Sutter, Pittsburgh Penguins

Right Winger: Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning

Scott Audette/Getty Images

What he's done: The stellar sophomore has obliterated his rookie numbers this season, putting up 26 goals and 58 points through 73 games. His plus-36 rating is second in the league, and his two-way game is shockingly good for a 21-year-old with little experience. He's part of the Lightning's best shutdown line.

Why he's underrated: He's overshadowed by the star power of Steven Stamkos, and the rest of the young and talented members of the Lightning lineup share the secondary spotlight—although that has also been nabbed for the most part by Kucherov's center, Tyler Johnson.

Other candidates: Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers; Loui Eriksson, Boston Bruins

Statistics via NHL.com and current through Sunday, March 22