All Underrated NHL Players Team Frolic 2026/27 - Centers
Lundell's first shot at playing top line for Florida with Barkov out with injury was a projectable success. Becoming a shutdown center in the NHL is not an area many players are able to achieve and those that have the capacity for it work their balls off to do so successfully. Anton has a very high hockey I.Q. and had been a student of the game to get where he is now. At 25 he is trending towards at least one Selke in his future I would say. His offensive game keeps improving every year as well. Just highly committed intelligent work horse.
Thomas just keeps getting better every year. Seems to add a new wrinkle to his game all the time. There just isn't a flaw in Roberts game, one of the best playmakers there is and has worked on his shooting game to the point where we could see a 30 plus goal year ot of him yet. Thomas doesn't back down from anyone and his attention to detail and commitment to his craft has put him to where he should be getting more Selke consideration. Thomas' point totals are modest compared to some elite centers but he really has not had much elite offensive talent to work with. The other teams know that if you take out Thomas from a game you are probably beating the Blues so he has a target on his back. Even with that he keeps producing and shuts down the opposition at the same time. Great player.
Dickinson has been a hidden gem in Chicago and Dallas for years. Jason does not wow you with offense for sure but he is one of the best shut down center in the game that can do so against the other teams best players extremely well. Dickinson gives an opportunity for the best players on his own team to get better matchups so thy have more opportunities for offence, Also one of the best PK guys in the game. It is players like Dickinson that can work at a lower cap hit with max return.
I have to add one more spot for Pinto. It will probably be the last year we can call him underrated as I imagine he will be known to most soon if he isn't already. If Shane ends his career without a Selke it will be a travesty.
