Hockey is an intrinsic part of Canadian culture, so it’s no surprise that The Great White North has produced more than its fair share of star players in the NHL.
Some of the most famous hockey players to have emerged from the country include Mario Lemieux, Gordie Howe, Sidney Crosby and the great Wayne Gretzky – countless stars have been produced by heavyweight Canadian teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Calgary Flames and the Montreal Canadiens.
While Canada’s rich hockey history is well-documented, which NHL players do you see as the future legends of this beloved national sport? Check out our selection of 11 top Canadian NHL players who remain underrated in 2022:
Robert Thomas
Robert Thomas is well-known as a shining example of the new generation of Canadian NHL players, but he’s pretty underrated when it comes to national rankings. Making his NHL debut with the St. Louis Blues in 2018 and scoring his first goal against the Nashville Predators in October that year, Thomas has drawn comparisons with better-known Canadian stars such as Patrice Bergeron and Jonathan Toews when it comes to prowess on the ice. This Aurora, Ontario native is surely one to watch this season, with a proven track record in primary assists and an ever-improving faceoff percentage.
Mike Matheson
Mike Matheson has become a national treasure in the Great White North since making his NHL debut with the Florida Panthers back in 2015. This underrated Canadian player went on to sign a $39 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017, and seeing as the famous Pointe-Clare native idolized the Montreal Canadiens as a child, he was happy to have been traded to the team in July 2022. There are still plenty of playing years left in Matheson’s career – the best could be yet to come.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Born in Burnaby, British Columbia, this 29-year-old has gained increasing attention since 2011, when he began a long and successful stint with the Edmonton Oilers. Nugent-Hopkins has upped his offensive game over the years whilst retaining a reputation as a strong defensive player. With that kind of development in his game the chances of him making a bigger move increase each year. If you’re someone who likes to wager and is looking to place NHL bets or play online at the best Canadian online casinos, check out this section from Top10casinos.com featuring some of the best sites offering generous casino promotions
Sam Girard
Born in Roberval, Quebec in 1998, Sam Girard is another young Canadian defenceman who’s taken the tournament by storm since making his debut with the Nashville Predators in the 2017 – 2018 NHL season. Quickly making the move to the Colorado Avalanche, Girard seemed to find his feet with career-high numbers across his first three consecutive seasons with the team. This 22-year-old star is quickly becoming one of the hottest offensive defenders from The Great White North – Sam Girard surely has a bright future ahead of him.
Darcy Kuemper
Signing a $26.25 million contract with the Washington Capitals this year, this Saskatoon native has enjoyed an illustrious NHL career including notable stints at the Colorado Avalanche, the Arizona Coyotes, the Los Angeles Kings, and the Minnesota Wild. On paper, Darcy Kuemper is one of the best goalies in the NFL with a 9.45 even-strength save percentage. Definitely a player to watch going forward.
Jamie Oleksiak
Affectionately nicknamed the ‘Big Rig’, Jamie Oleksiak is a Toronto-born defenceman who was selected by the Dallas Stars in 2011, placing 14th in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft. Enjoying stints with the Stars and the Pittsburgh Penguins before moving on to the Seattle Kraken for a $23 million deal in 2021, Oleksiak is a revered Canadian player best known for his 5-on-5 defensive play, solid contributions on the ice and ‘clean’ style of play with minimal infractions or penalties. The Big Rig’s career speaks for itself and only time will tell if Jamie Oleksiak will garner the national recognition he deserves.
Mason Marchment
As the son of the legendary Canadian defenceman Bryan Marchment, Mason Marchment has a lot to live up to. Luckily, this Uxbridge, Ontario-born forward has gained plenty of traction in his own right with notable stints with the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Singing a juicy four-year, $18 million contract with the Dallas Stars in July this year, Marchment has shown promise with impressive numbers on the ice last season – before bowing out due to injury and COVID-related protocols, he was able to generate 47 points in 40 games with 15 goals. It sure does run in the family!
Jonathan Huberdeau
Hailing from Quebec, Jonathan Huberdeau is another underrated player who’s been making waves in the NHL since his debut with the Florida Panthers in 2013. In his remarkable career with the Panthers, Huberdeau beat the record for most assists in a single season by a left-winger (totaling up 71) and was crowned the first-ever Panthers player to accumulate 100 points in a season. Moving on to Calgary Flames in 2022, Huberdeau is also predicted to start as a 3rd line player in the 2022 Canadian national team.
Tanner Jeannot
Although he only made his National Hockey League debut in the 2020-2021 season, Tanner Jeannot has already made an impression with the fans that he’s picked up the nickname the ‘Oxbow Ox’, a reference to his aggressive style on the ice and the fact that he hails from Oxbow, Saskatchewan. This trailblazing forward has gained a fearsome reputation for his offensive play, and for good reason – Tanner Jeannot is another underrated Canadian player for sure.
Max Comtois
This young Longueuil-born left-winger has shown tremendous potential in the tournament since being first selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Although he has only enjoyed one full season in the NHL, Max Comtois has shown significant promise on the ice since his debut in 2018, in which he scored his first professional goal in the first minute of the game against the San Jose Sharks. Achieving impressive numbers in the season including 10 goals and 22 points in 38 games played, Max Comtois is a player to keep your eyes on in the coming years.
Sam Reinhart
Sam Reinhart is another aggressive forward whose offensive skills have earned him a rightful reputation as one of the NHL’s most underrated Canadian players. Hailing from North Vancouver, Reinhart was a team-leading scorer for the Buffalo Sabres, where he made his debut in the tournament in the 2014 – 2015 season. In August 2021, Reinhart signed a lucrative $19.5 million contract with the Florida Panthers, where he’s likely to stay for at least three years. This high-octane player is also the son of Canadian legend Paul Reinhart, who famously played with NHL teams the Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames.