If you’re a fan of certain teams with high-value stars not producing, you’ve been in for a treat these playoffs.
Whether it be Kirill Kaprizov’s one goal ($9 million), Artemi Panarin’s two assists ($11.642 million) or Toronto’s core four falling asleep in the second round, there’s been no shortage of highly paid underachievers. That’s typical in the postseason, especially when defensive units start becoming laser-focused on shutting down stars like their careers depend on it.
The contributions from the lower-paid guys, sometimes players looking to prove they can have long careers, can take you forward. Sometimes, it’s an inexpensive backup goalie stealing the show. Other times, it’s a bottom-six forward managing to break through. In a salary-cap world, you need players on low salaries coming in to make a difference, and we’ve seen a handful of these inexpensive players shine through after two rounds.
For this exercise, we’re looking for players who have produced on standard deals, not entry-level contracts. Dallas, for example, has gotten great results from Wyatt Johnston and Thomas Harley, but that’s not fair since they’re on their first deals. So, here’s a look at a player on each team who’s been productive on a deal under $2 million:
Nick Cousins, LW (Florida Panthers, $1.1 million)
Cousins once had a 103-point season in the OHL, leaving many to think he’d have a solid career in the NHL. Skating was an issue, but he definitely had the skill to make up for it. It never really seemed to click, though, and the now 29-year-old bounced from team to team for years before landing in Florida on a two-year deal. He had a career-high 27 points this year, but it’s been the playoffs where his six points in 13 games have been big for the Panthers. He scored the series-winner against Toronto and has filled a role in the top six that he never really has had to do before. His work ethic has been valuable. At just over a million, Cousins has given the Panthers some significant value in spurts. That’s exactly what they need in a playoff run where the star players will keep getting shut down.
Jordan Martinook, LW (Carolina Hurricanes, $1.8 million)
It’s always cool to see a player have a breakout at 30, and that’s exactly the case for Martinook. Currently in the second year of a $1.8 million average annual value contract, Martinook has stood strong for a team dealing with some significant injuries in the lineup to post seven assists and 10 points in 12 games. Given he had 11 points in four playoff runs before this, you can’t say you saw this coming. Martinook is a popular figure in Carolina and has worn the alternate “A” for the past four years, so his success during the playoffs, highlighted by points in all five games against the New Jersey Devils, was huge to see. Stefan Noesen deserves a special shoutout, with the winger sitting at seven points on a $762,500 deal.
Brett Howden, LW (Vegas Golden Knights, $1.5 million)
Guys like Howden are built for the playoffs: strong, hard-working and difficult to play against. The 25-year-old made that his brand in junior hockey and continued in his NHL career but never really found his offensive game and hasn’t played a full season since 2019-20. With five points in 11 games to go along with 19 penalty minutes, Howden has had a positive impact for the Knights. Whether it be his physical play or his ability to contribute in close, Howden, a 2015 first-round pick, is playing some of the best hockey of his career in this run, and you can tell his teammates appreciate the effort. It’s inexpensive, do-it-all players like Howden who help you win key games in the playoffs.
Joel Kiviranta, LW (Dallas Stars, $1.05 million)
There’s something about Kiviranta and the postseason. He has only played in nine games, but he has four points in a depth role. That’s five fewer than his 70-game total during the regular season. The small, two-way forward isn’t known for being strong offensively, but he’s great defensively and has scored a couple of big goals in his career. Recording four points while averaging 11:41 is a nice touch. His work with Radek Faksa and Luke Glendening against Seattle to keep the Kraken on their heels made them a good energetic fourth line. Who knows if he’ll play the whole Western Conference Final, but he’s doing his job well enough.
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