The buzz around NHL superstars like McDavid and Draisaitl often overshadows players quietly delivering elite underlying performance. This 2024–25 season, a long list of under-the-radar names have distinguished themselves through advanced metrics—offering profound impact beyond traditional stats. Here's a look at standout underrated performers, driven by xG, Corsi, and GAR data.
Jesper Bratt – New Jersey Devils Forward
Bratt racked up 88 points (67 assists) in 81 games—setting a franchise mark for assists—yet his on-ice value remained undervalued defensively. GAR data placed Bratt in the 6th percentile among forwards for defensive impact reddit.com+8espn.com+8reddit.com+8devilsarmynetwork.com. Despite this, his offensive production spoke volumes and demonstrated elite puck creation at 5-on-5.
Gabriel Vilardi – Los Angeles Kings Forward
Injuries had stalled Vilardi’s development, but in 2024–25 he set new career highs with 17 goals and 30 points in just 44 games. His individual expected goals (ixG) ranked 75th among all forwards, while his shooting percentage (18.5%) outpaced his xG—suggesting sustainable skill rather than simply hot luck yardbarker.com.
William Carrier – Vegas Golden Knights
A prototypical workhorse, Carrier rarely lights up the scoresheet yet consistently produces high-danger chances. He ranked 8th among forwards in high-danger chances per 60 minutes (iHDCF/60) and exceeded average production in multiple underlying metrics. His role may fly under the radar, but analytics show a high-efficiency bottom-six player making real impact yardbarker.com.
Cam Fowler – St. Louis Blues Defenseman
Fowler enjoyed a career defensive rebound after his mid-season trade. His RAPM xGA/60 dropped to –0.239, a career-best mark for defensive impact. Paired with 36 points in 51 games and a sharp playoff run (10 points in seven games), Fowler’s analytics excellence was overshadowed by low expectations forums.hfboards.com+9yardbarker.com+9reddit.com+9.
Nico Hischier – New Jersey Devils Forward
Hischier posted his most valuable season ever in GAR and xGAR, with a total xGAR of 31.2, ranking second only to elite talents like Leon Draisaitl. His 35 goals and 69 points earned attention, but the extent of his analytic dominance places him among the most underrated players in the league devilsarmynetwork.com+1drive4five.blog+1.
Zach Werenski – Columbus Blue Jackets Defenseman
Werenski, with 57 points in the 2023–24 season, consistently delivered under the analytical radar. He posted a rare positive plus-minus and maintained solid Corsi percentages despite Columbus’s general struggles—demonstrating meaningful two-way impact thehockeywriters.com+1reddit.com+1.
Advanced Metrics Explained
Corsi measures shot-attempt share, reflecting puck possession advantage. A CF% above 55% denotes elite puck control thehockeywriters.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15en.wikipedia.org+15.
Expected Goals (xG) predicts scoring likelihood based on shot quality, while individual xG (ixG) assesses player creation independent of teammates. This metric highlights players like Vilardi, exceeding expectations yardbarker.com.
Goals Above Replacement (GAR) is a composite that quantifies player value in offense, defense, and goaltending—Nico Hischier’s high xGAR signals elite performance devilsarmynetwork.com.
These players demonstrate that elite impact can be hidden from traditional box scores. Analytics highlight contributions in puck possession, high-danger creation, defensive suppression, and play-driving that may go unnoticed. Teams that leverage such xG, Corsi, and GAR insights can identify undervalued talent, build deeper rosters, and find mismatch advantages.
From Bratt’s playmaking and Carrier’s puck generating efficiency to Fowler’s defensive renaissance and Hischier’s two-way dominance, these players exemplify what advanced analytics can reveal. Moving beyond goals and assists allows for deeper understanding of player value, helping teams and fans appreciate hidden impact and unlocking roster-building strategies rooted in data-driven insight.
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#NHLAnalytics #AdvancedStats #UnderratedPlayers #xG #Corsi #GAR #JesperBratt #GabrielVilardi #WilliamCarrier #CamFowler #NicoHischier #ZachWerenski #HockeyAnalysis #NHLData
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