Hockey fans have witnessed great seasons throughout the history of the National Hockey League. From 1956 to 1960, the Montreal Canadiens won five consecutive Stanley Cups. During the 1992-1993 season, Teemu Selanne put together one of the greatest rookie seasons, registering 132 points with 76 goals and 56 assists. The list grows as great seasons are remembered, but what about underrated seasons? Here are the top ten most underrated seasons since 2000.
1. Nikita Kucherov, 2023-2024
Still active and with one Hart Trophy to his name, Nikita Kucherov had a phenomenal season with Tampa Bay. Playing 81 games, the winger finished the season with 44 goals, 100 assists, 144 points, and +8. What makes this season underrated is the fact that he finished 2nd in voting for the Hart Memorial Trophy.
2. Joe Thornton, 2005-2006
In year eight, Thornton had the best season in his Hall of Fame career. He played 23 games with Boston before being dealt to San Jose. Playing 81 games, the center finished the season with 29 goals, 96 assists, 125 points, +31, and won his only Hart Trophy.
3. Jonathan Huberdeau, 2021-2022
The 3rd overall pick in 2011 had a career year in 2021. Earning his second All-Star vote, the winger played 80 games, finishing with 30 goals, 85 assists, 115 points, and +35. His production has regressed, but the 2021-2022 season will go down as the best of his career.
4. Evgeni Nabokov, 2007-2008
Nabokov tallied 353 career wins and had one of the best seasons by a goalie in 2007. Playing in 77 games, he finished with 46 wins, six shutouts, .910 save percentage, and 2.14 goals against average. He led the NHL in wins, and what makes Nabokov’s special year underrated was finishing 2nd in voting for the Vezina Trophy.
5. Dany Heatley, 2005-2006
Heatley took the league by storm, playing in 82 games. He registered 50 goals, 53 assists, 103 points, and +29. His monster season saw him finish 10th in voting for the Hart Memorial Trophy. His career was cut short due to injuries, but the winger totaled 372 goals and 419 assists in 13 seasons.
6. Patrik Elias, 2000-2001
Y2K saw Elias have the best season of his career. The New Jersey winger played 82 games, totaling 40 goals, 56 assists, 96 points, and a league-leading +45. An underrated 20-year career, Elias accumulated 408 goals and 617 assists.
7. Zigmund Palffy, 2000-2001
Palffy spent 13 seasons in the NHL, and 2000 was greatly underrated. With the Los Angeles Kings, Palffy played 73 games, registering 38 goals, 51 assists, 89 points, +22, and earned his second All-Star vote. He will be known as an underrated player with one of the best hockey mullets of all time.
8. Alexei Yashin, 2000-2001
The 2000 season was full of underrated performances, and Ottawa’s Alexei Yashin’s name is on the list. Playing in 82 games, the center had 40 goals, 48 assists, 88 points, and +10. He finished 14th in voting for the Hart Memorial Trophy and 12th for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.
9. Marty Turco, 2002-2003
Turco capped off an 11-year career with 275 wins and made a name for himself in 2022. Playing for Dallas, Turco played 55 games, finishing with 31 wins, seven shutouts, .932 save percentage, and 1.73 goals against average. He finished 2nd in voting for the Vezina Trophy.
10. Marian Gaborik, 2009-2010
Injuries plagued Gaborik during his 17 NHL seasons, but 2009 was a special season for the winger. He played 76 games, totaling 42 goals, 44 assists, 86 points, and +15.
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