Underrated and Under-Appreciated - Dainius Zubrus

Dainius Zubrus

Not exactly a household name is it? Crosby, oh I know him! Zubrus, well....who is that? I'll tell you who he is, he is in my opinion, one of, if not the most underrated and under-appreciated players in the NHL.

Zubrus, a Lithuanian born hockey player moved to Ukraine to work with Druzhba-78 in the summer of 1989. Druzhba-78 is a hockey camp that is world renown and has camps all around the world. Zubrus would continue working with these camps until 1995 when he started playing with 1st the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the CJHL, then with the Caledon Canadians of the MTJHL. Both teams he would leave with over point per game (32 points in 28 games for CJHL and 10 points in 7 games for MTJHL). 

Going into the next year Zubrus would be entered into the 1996 NHL entry draft.,where he was drafted 1st round (15th overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers. Zubrus would play with the Flyers for 2 seasons following that draft in which he helped the Flyers reach the Stanley Cup final (in his rookie season). In his 3rd season with the Flyers, Zubrus was traded to Montreal with a couple picks for Mark Recchi. He would continue with the Canadians for the rest of that season and for one more before again being traded part way through his 5th season (2000-01) to the Washington Capitals along with Trevor Linden for Richard Zednik and Jan Bulis. Zubrus played with the Capitals for 3 seasons up until the NHL lockout of 2004-05. During the NHL lockout Zubrus decided to play out of the NHL along with fellow Capital Alexander Semin. Zubrus would play one season in the RSL (Russian Superleague) for HC Lada Togliatti.

Once the NHL lockout was resolved Zubrus returned with the Washington Capitals. He would play the 2005-06 season on a line with a young star that is a household name, Alexander Ovechkin. This 2005-06 season Zubrus would have his career high points with 57 points in 71 games. The next season however, after posting an impressive 52 points in 60 games, Zubrus would be traded to Buffalo at the trade deadline along with Temo Helbling for Jiri Novotny and a 1st round pick (Alexander Perezhogin). Zubrus would finish that season for another career high 60 points in 79 games before going into free agency the next offseason.

During the 2007 offseason Zubrus would sign a six-year $20.4 million dollar contract with the New Jersey Devils. He has completed 4 seasons with the devils and has recorded one of the best offensive games in Devils history with 4 goals in the devils 7-3 win over Tampa Bay on November 23rd 2008, tying a Franchise record. 

Zubrus is now currently playing in his 5th year with the devils with 32 points in 55 games (on pace for 47 points in 81 games).

Zubrus has been characterized as a player with a huge frame that knows how to protect the puck. Has great defensive awareness and position versatility. He can play all 3 forward positions and is well known within the NHL for his work ethic. His issue however is his inconsistent offense and lack of confidence of ability with the puck. Many people say that he needs to shoot the puck far more than he does now.

Zubrus is the only Lithuanian to play 1000 games in the NHL.

To have a player that can be as versatile and hard working as Zubrus is exactly what most GMs look for. That is why New Jersey didn't worry about signing him for 6 years. A hard working player is what pushes teams over the top in the playoffs, as it looks like there is little hope, a player like Zubrus continues to work hard to give his team the chance. This is how Detroit continues to be strong as they have a team filled with this characteristic. This is why he is underrated and under-appreciated.