When the NHL resumes play following the Olympic pause, there will be roughly 20 games remaining in the regular season. This season’s statistical leaders feature many usual suspects, but there are many players being overlooked. They are positively impacting their respective teams and building momentum for future seasons. Only time will tell if they become household names. Here are the top five underrated NHL players in 2026.
5. RW Collin Graf – San Jose Sharks
San Jose isn’t in playoff contention, and team points leader Macklin Celebrini is the main attraction. Right winger Collin Graf continues to produce for the 4th–youngest team in the NHL. Before this season, the 2024 undrafted signing had brief stints with the Sharks in 2023 and 2024. This season, Graf has played in 54 of the team’s 55 games, producing 15 goals, 16 assists, and a +4. The 23-year-old’s production has led to ranking 6th in points and 1st in shot percentage.
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4. RW Josh Doan – Buffalo Sabres
Drafted in the 2nd round (2021) by the Arizona Coyotes, Josh Doan was traded by the rebranded Utah Mammoth in June of 2025 to the Buffalo Sabres. In Doan, Buffalo added more youth to the league’s 2nd–youngest roster. In his first season with the Sabres, Doan plays an integral role for the team, currently holding the Eastern Conference’s first Wild Card spot. The right winger has 18 goals, 21 assists, and is 3rd on the team in power-play points. As Buffalo continues its hunt for the playoffs, Doan will be relied upon in key situations.
3. C Morgan Geekie – Boston Bruins
Geekie failed to consistently produce during his first four NHL seasons and signed with Boston in 2023. He showed potential during the 2023 season and earned more playing time a season ago. During the 2024-2025 season, Geekie produced 33 goals and 24 assists. Geekie hasn’t slowed down this season, reaching 32 goals, 22 assists, and a career-high 20 power play points. The center is 2nd on the Bruins in points and has helped the team to the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
2. G Jet Greaves – Columbus Blue Jackets
Greaves signed a professional contract with the team’s AHL affiliate in 2021. After making one appearance during the 22-23 season, the goaltender played sparingly in the next two seasons. This year, Greaves is leading the Blue Jackets in goaltending. Elvis Merzlikins opened the season as the team’s starting goaltender, but poor production allowed Greaves to see more starting nods before taking over as the team’s top option between the pipes. Jet Greaves leads Columbus goaltenders in games played (37), wins (18), goals against average (2.62), save percentage (.910), and shutouts (2). The Blue Jackets are within reach of the Eastern Conference’s final Wild Card spot due to improved production from the offense and Greaves.
1. D J.J. Moser – Tampa Bay Lightning
After defenseman Victor Hedman underwent elbow surgery in December, J.J. Moser was chosen to fill the glaring hole on defense. The increased role has led to the most production in two seasons with Tampa Bay, and Moser is 2nd in points, 2nd in TOI, and 1st in on-ice expected goals differential among Lightning defensemen. Moser’s five goals and 14 assists do not rank him among the NHL’s top defensemen, but he’s played a crucial role in Tampa Bay’s hot streak that carried them to first place in the Atlantic Division. Among all NHL defensemen, J.J. Moser ranks 5th in on-ice expected goal differential.
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