Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
In this edition of the hotstove, we share our choices for most underrated player on the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Todd Cordell
Defense is a lot harder to notice than offense. As a result, plus-defensive players generally garner less recognition than anybody putting up points.
That’s why I think Zach Aston-Reese is a lot more of an unknown than he should be. ZAR eats up a lot of nasty defensive minutes for the Penguins – no forward on the roster starts a lesser percentage of their shifts in the offensive zone – yet garners remarkably strong results.
The Penguins give up just 1.58 expected goals per 60 with ZAR on the ice. That not only leads all forwards on the roster, but all forwards in the league.
This stems from his ability to completely neuter opposing offenses and take away *all* of their quality looks. The Penguins allow only 6.74 high-danger looks per 60 with ZAR on the ice (he is one of two forwards on for fewer than 7.0 per 60).
Put another way, if ZAR were to play 10 minutes at 5v5 on an average night he’d more or less allow opponents one quality look. One. That’s...not a lot, especially when you consider the Penguins have the firepower to score goals in bunches. If they are playing with leads, and can rely on ZAR to give up almost nothing, it is nearly impossible to make up any ground.
He may not be flashy but he’s a coach’s dream. And rightfully so.
Sean Maloughney
Patric Hornqvist might not be the elite player he was in his prime but he is still an impact player for the Penguins. Averaging under 16 minutes a night, Hornqvist ranked 6th among all Penguins forwards and 10th among all forwards in even strength ice time.
Not including Angello or Johnson who played 8 and 7 games respectively, Hornqvist ranked first among all players in ESG/60 and 7th in ESP/60. Even as Hornqvist fell in ice time and was relegated into a third line role he still was a positive influence on the ice.
Perhaps the most impressive feat still is how much of a shot generator he was. Despite missing time this season, Hornqvist finished third in shots with 168. That was only 3 shots behind Malkin who played in 3 more games, and only 9 fewer than Letang who appeared in 9 more games. Hornqvist has proven to be a jack-of-all-trades that is useful regardless of where he is playing.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
Recent posts
Most underrated player on the Philadelphia Flyers?
Most underrated player on the New York Rangers?
Most underrated player on the New Jersey Devils?
Most underrated player on the Montreal Canadiens?
Most underrated player on the Florida Panthers?
Most underrated player on the Edmonton Oilers?
Most underrated player on the Chicago Blackhawks?
Most underrated player on the Colorado Avalanche?
Most underrated player on the Carolina Hurricanes?
Most underrated player on the Calgary Flames?
Most underrated player on the Boston Bruins?
Join the Discussion:
»