The Hockey News NHL Predictions Poll: Breakout Candidates, Most Impactful Additions, And More

Sep 29, 2026 4:16 PMPublished Sep 29, 2026 4:16 PM

Most Underpaid Player

Votes: Sidney Crosby (18), Matt Boldy (4), Quinn Hughes (3), Dylan Guenther (3), Seth Jarvis (2), Miro Heiskanen (1), Morgan Geekie (1), Tage Thompson (1), Other (6)

Unsurprisingly, Pittsburgh Penguins icon Sidney Crosby ran away with the votes in this category with his modest $8.7-million salary. Crosby received 18 votes, and in a distant second was Minnesota Wild winger Matt Boldy, who received four votes.

Most Overpaid Player

Votes: Leo Carlsson (15), Jonathan Huberdeau (10), Darnell Nurse (5), Dougie Hamilton (3), Drew Doughty (3), Elias Pettersson (1), Noah Dobson (1), Jason Robertson (1)

As for the most overpaid player, Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson finished in first with 15 votes, followed by Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau with 10 votes and Sharks D-man Darnell Nurse in third, with five votes.

The Hockey News has polled 39 writers and editors for their predictions on a slew of questions ahead of the 2026-27 season, including their picks for the first NHL coach fired, the league's most overpaid and underpaid players, and more.

thehockeynews.comThe Hockey News NHL Predictions Poll: Breakout Candidates, Most Impactful Additions, And MoreThe Hockey News has polled 39 writers and editors for their predictions on a slew of questions ahead of the 2026-27 season, including their picks for the first NHL coach fired, the league's most overpaid and underpaid players, and more.

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