5 most underrated players so far this season

Going to work every day as an NHL player isn't always as rewarding as it should be. Guys get banged up, barked at by coaches, and are sometimes overlooked for their excellent play or contributions to their team's success.

Such is the case for the following players, as all five are off to excellent starts to the season, but for whatever reason, aren't getting the love they deserve.

Here's a look at the NHL's five most underrated players so far this season.

Sean Couturier, Philadelphia Flyers

The eighth overall draft pick from 2011, Couturier has never really lived up to the lofty expectations associated with being a top-10 pick.

But this year, Couturier is silencing his haters.

The 24-year-old center is on fire right now, notching a team-leading nine goals to go with nine assists for the Flyers. His 18 points through the first 15 games has Couturier sitting tied for fourth in league scoring among some pretty elite company.

Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning

It's understandable for one to be lost in the background when they're playing on the same squad as Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov.

That is exactly the scenario Point currently finds himself in on the Lightning.

With Stammer and Kuch currently setting the league ablaze with 48 combined points already to their credit, Point's solid start of seven goals and nine assists is going mostly unnoticed.

Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues

Pietrangelo might not be underrated among more dedicated hockey fans, but when it comes to the average puckhead, the Blues No. 1 rearguard doesn't get nearly enough credit for how good he is.

Not only is Pietrangelo St. Louis' captain, but he's its unsung leader both on and off the ice, commanding the respect of his teammates by playing an unselfish brand of hockey that has become his trademark.

This season, Pietrangelo is off to the best start of his 10-year career, notching six goals and nine assists while leading the Blues to first place in the Western Conference.

Anders Lee, New York Islanders

If not for the hat-trick binging John Tavares, Lee would be pacing the Islanders in goals and points to start the campaign.

The hulking 6-foot-3, 231-pound forward has racked up solid numbers while playing on Johnny T's wing this season, scoring eight goals and seven assists while also serving time on New York's top power-play unit.

Thirty-five goals only a year ago announced Lee as a legit goal-scoring threat, but somehow he is still operating under the radar for Doug Weight and Co.

Vincent Trocheck, Florida Panthers

By playing in Florida in the shadows of guys like Aaron Ekblad and Aleksander Barkov, Trocheck has become a criminally underrated player.

However, back-to-back 50-plus point seasons had Trocheck entering the 2017-18 campaign with lofty expectations, and so far, the 24-year-old Pittsburgh native has not disappointed.

A solid start of 15 points in his first 13 games has the versatile forward finally turning heads, as he is on pace for his best season yet.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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