As the NHL regular season winds down, the spotlight inevitably shifts to the star players expected to carry their teams into the playoffs. The stars  command the headlines; their names are etched in fans’ minds across the league. But amidst the spotlight’s glare, some quietly go about their business, their contributions often overlooked or underappreciated.

These are the unsung heroes of the NHL’s Eastern Conference, the players whose dedication, hard work and unwavering commitment to their teams often goes unnoticed. Every team in the East has at least one of these invaluable contributors. As the final stretch of the regular season unfolds, it’s time to shine a spotlight on these often-overlooked stars, whose perseverance is a testament to the spirit of the game.

Carter Verhaeghe, Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers have multiple players who fit this title. Someone like Sam Reinhart fits the bill.  He has 46 goals and 77 points through 67 games. He is leading his club in both statistical categories, so it would be cheating to give him the title. Carter Verhaeghe, however, fits the title perfectly. 

Verhaeghe has been a difference-maker, scoring 66 points through 67 games. With Vladimir Tarasenko’s arrival at the trade deadline, Verhaeghe is paired on the second line with Anton Lundell and Matthew Tkachuk. Verhaeghe’s consistent performance and ability to thrive with any line he plays underscore his significant role in the team’s success.

This Panthers squad is deep, and there is a reason they are atop the league standings.

Charlie Coyle, Boston Bruins

With Patrice Bergeron’s retirement, someone needed to do the almost impossible task of filling his shoes as the top center. Charlie Coyle has done one heck of a job doing so. While fellow teammate Pavel Zacha has also been a top center for the Bruins, Coyle gets the title of unsung hero due to his career highs. 

 Coyle is just four points away from tying his career-high in points, 56. He has 52 through 68 games this season. These statistics are admirable for the veteran. Playing on a line with superstars Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak certainly helps, but it should be independent of Coyle’s production.  

Max Domi, Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the top heavier teams in the NHL. Players like Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and William Nylander are the team’s talking points. However, Max Domi needs to be talked about more.

Domi, the journeyman, has yet to find a permanent home in the league.  In his nine-year career, Domi bounced around between seven teams. However, Domi might have found his home in Toronto.

Domi is a hometown kid and son of Toronto Maple Leafs legend Tie Domi. He is having a solid season, posting an 8-27-35 stat line through 65 games. Domi has been a consistent top-six option for the star-studded Toronto Maple Leafs. Is he the depth the Maple Leafs have longed for during the NHL playoffs?  Only time will tell.

Alexis Lafrenière, New York Rangers

Alexis Lafrenière is having the breakout season many hoped for. The former first-overall pick elevated his game to a new level, surpassing his career high in points with 16 games left to play.

Expectations were high for Lafrenière, the first overall selection in the 2020 NHL draft. However, it is fair to say Lafrenière disappointed in his first couple of seasons, at least for a former first-overall pick. 

Lafrenière is having a career year. He has 40 points through 66 games. His previous career high was 39, set last year.  

Lafrenière has proven to be a scorer and a playmaker, having 18 goals and 22 assists, respectively.  The 22-year-old is seeing top-six minutes with the Rangers and deserves more praise than he has received this year.

Martin Necas, Carolina Hurricanes

Martin Necas experienced a breakout year last year. The former 2017 12th overall pick blew his career high in points out of the water, notching 71 in 2022-23, 30 more points than any other year.  Necas is on the same path again this year. Necas is getting the top six minutes and doing the most with them while receiving little national attention. He fits the unsung title very well. 

The 25-year-old has 46 points through 61 games, so it is not unreasonable to think he could reach 60 points when the season ends. The Hurricanes added two key pieces at the trade deadline, Jake Guentzel and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Those moves will complement the already deep Hurricanes roster.

Owen Tippet, Philadelphia Flyers

The Florida Panthers traded Owen Tippet to the Philadelphia Flyers in a deal that included Claude Giroux going the other way. Tippet, a former first-round pick, is having a quality season for an unexpected contender in the Flyers.  

Tippet is up to 40 points through 63 games this season and is nine points away from tying his career high. Tippet is seeing first-line minutes for the Flyers and has been a big part of the Flyers’ regular season success.  

While Tippet’s success is probably well-known in the city of brotherly love, it is fair to say the 25-year-old has not received as much love on a national level.

Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay Lightning

Brandon Hagel is currently in the top four on the Tampa Bay Lightning in points and set to finish with a career-high season—and nobody is talking about it.

Hagel was sent from Chicago to Tampa Bay in a deal in 2022 and has flourished with the Lightning. He  registered 61 points through 66 games this season and is skating with Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos, the top line.  

While Tampa Bay is in a wild-card spot and should make the playoffs, it has been a disappointing season for the Lightning. Hagel, on the other hand, has been the opposite.  

Noah Dobson, New York Islanders

What is the best way to describe Noah Dobson’s season so far in one word? 

Shocking.  

Dobson has emerged as the Islanders’ number one defenseman and a name that should be included in the Norris trophy conversation. He has registered 64 points in 65 games, something even he probably didn’t see coming.

Dobson is on pace to break his career high in points by almost 30, and he will do so without enough people talking about it. Dobson has been an offensive spark on a team that already includes Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal.

Look out for Dobson and the Islanders this postseason… that is, if they are able to squeak in.

Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings are skidding and sliding at the moment. Losers of six of their past seven, the Red Wings have been rocked by inconsistency. One player who has been a consistent contributor? Lucas Raymond.

Raymond leads the Red Wings in points and is shaping up to be the top five pick he was thought of his rookie year. The 21-year-old is on pace for a career high in points as he currently sits at 55 through 67 games.  

Unsung might not be the best way to describe Raymond. But, I do not believe enough people are talking about him. The final stretch is going to be a battle for the Red Wings.

Charlie Lindgren, Washington Capitals

Washington continues to surprise fans this season. Father Time might be catching up to Alex Ovechkin, as he has not been the goal scorer we have seen in the past. No one on the Capitals has stood out so far this season.  But, the goaltending of Charlie Lindgren is a large reason Washigton is hanging around in the playoff race.

Lindgren is 17-11-5 this season with a 2.61 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. Lindgren might not be able to steal a game like Connor Hellebuyck or Andrei Vasilevskiy might be able to, but he has helped keep the Capitals in the playoff race.