Theo Fleury
Theo Fleury was a 5’6″ and 175-pound dynamo who played for the Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Colorado Avalanche during his 18-year NHL career. He was a two-time Art Ross Trophy winner as the NHL’s leading scorer, and he won the Stanley Cup with the Flames in 1989 and 1990.
Fleury was a fearless and aggressive player who was not afraid to mix it up. He was also a gifted scorer, with a quick release and a knack for finding the open net. He finished his career with 519 goals and 1,109 points in 1,219 games.
Fleury was also a victim of abuse as a child, and he spoke out about his experiences in his autobiography, “Playing with Fire.” He was a powerful advocate for victims of abuse, and he helped to raise awareness of the issue.
Vincent Damphousse
Vincent Damphousse was a gifted playmaker who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks, and Chicago Blackhawks during his 19-year NHL career. He won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP in 1993, and he was also a two-time Lady Byng Trophy winner as the NHL’s most gentlemanly player.
Damphousse was a smooth skater with a great passing touch. He was a master at setting up his teammates for scoring chances, and he finished his career with 1,431 points in 1,478 games.
Damphousse was also a good leader, and he was named captain of the Sharks in 1997. He was a key part of the Sharks’ early success, and he helped to turn the team into a playoff contender.
Stefan Persson
Stefan Persson was a steady defenseman who played for the New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, and Philadelphia Flyers during his 18-year NHL career. He was a four-time Stanley Cup champion, and he was also a three-time All-Star.
Persson was a strong skater and a good puck-mover. He was also a solid defender, and he was known for his ability to break up plays. He finished his career with 500 points in 1,223 games.
Persson was a key part of the Islanders’ dynasty of the early 1980s, and he helped to solidify the team’s defense. He was also a valuable asset to the Oilers and the Flyers, and he played a key role in their success.
Pekka Rinne
Pekka Rinne was a Vezina Trophy winner and a Stanley Cup champion. He was one of the best goalies in the NHL for many years, and he was a key part of the Nashville Predators’ success. He is considered one of the best Finnish goalies of all time.
Rinne was a big and athletic goalie with a quick glove hand. He was also a good positional goalie, and he was able to make the big saves when it mattered most. He finished his career with 691 wins, 2,500 saves, and a 2.67 goals-against average.
Rinne was a key part of the Predators’ run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2017, and he was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the playoff MVP. He is one of the most popular players in Nashville history, and he is considered a legend of the franchise.
Brian Propp
Brian Propp was a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Philadelphia Flyers. He was a prolific scorer, and he finished his career with 438 goals and 831 points in 1,105 games. He was also a two-time All-Star.
Propp was a fast and skilled forward who was always in the right place at the right time. He had a knack for scoring goals, and he was also a good playmaker. He finished his career with a 0.40 goals-per-game average, which is the 13th-best all-time.
Propp was a key part of the Flyers’ “Broad Street Bullies” teams of the 1970s, and he helped to win two Stanley Cups. He was a fan favorite in Philadelphia, and he is considered one of the greatest Flyers players of all time.
These are just a few of the many underrated NHL players in history. These players were all talented and accomplished, but they often get overlooked because they played in the shadow of bigger stars
