Check out how our team ranks the top 30 defensemen in the NHL as we enter the 2025-26 season. Along with the rankings, we will provide a brief explanation and reasoning for why and where each player is slotted in.
Before we dive into our list, let’s start with some honorable mentions who just missed the cut. Mikhail Sergachev, Colton Parayko, Mattias Ekholm, Travis Sanheim, Chris Tanev, Vince Dunn, and Adam Pelech all drew serious consideration for a spot in the top 30 but ultimately landed on the outside looking in. Also, it should be mentioned that Alex Pietrangelo very likely would have been featured on this list, but with his playing future in doubt, he was not included. Now onto those who made it!
30. VGK: Noah Hanifin
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | VGK | 80 | 10 | 29 | 39 | +8 | 145 | 43 | 106 |
| 2023-24 | CGY/VGK | 80 | 13 | 34 | 47 | +19 | 164 | 63 | 121 |
Kicking off our top 30 is Noah Hanifin. The Vegas Golden Knights defenseman has consistently been a steady, top-4 pairing guy on the blue line throughout the majority of his NHL career. He’s an extremely smooth skater who distributes the puck well in all phases of the game, to go with solid defensive play. While he brings a lot of positives to the table, Hanifin hasn’t shown the same upside that those ahead of him possess, which can sometimes leave you wanting more. Despite that, he’s still very much worthy of cracking the list.
29. WSH: Jakob Chychrun
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | WSH | 74 | 20 | 27 | 47 | +17 | 179 | 59 | 87 |
| 2023-24 | OTT | 82 | 14 | 27 | 41 | -30 | 204 | 72 | 154 |
Next up is Jakob Chychrun of the Washington Capitals. Chychrun has always had the talent to be a tremendous defenseman and put that all together in year 1 as a Cap. He possesses one of the game’s most dangerous shots from the blue line and just reached the 20-goal mark for the first time, which is an amazing feat at his position. Like Hanifin, Chychrun is a great skater and puck mover all over the ice. The 27-year-old’s game had been a bit up and down in the years prior to 2024-25, so another strong season in 2025-26 could help him move up the ranks.
28. NJD: Dougie Hamilton
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | NJD | 64 | 9 | 31 | 40 | +8 | 186 | 74 | 85 |
| 2023-24 | NJD | 20 | 5 | 11 | 16 | -8 | 61 | 18 | 24 |
At number 28 comes New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton. After a massive 74-point 2022-23 campaign, injuries have ravaged Hamilton over the last two seasons. He’s remained quite productive when available, though it’s difficult to rank him much higher than this given that he’s missed 80 of the last 182 games. Hamilton is an elite offensive defenseman who is a dynamic threat from the point on a potent Devils unit. He’ll need to prove that he can stay healthy and be effective in 2025-26 in order to raise his stock back up to where it was a few years ago.
27. DAL: Thomas Harley
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | DAL | 78 | 16 | 34 | 50 | +32 | 171 | 33 | 110 |
| 2023-24 | DAL | 79 | 15 | 32 | 47 | +28 | 144 | 67 | 135 |
Another great year from Thomas Harley has solidified his place among the top 30 defensemen in hockey. It took a while for the 2019 first-rounder (18th overall) to make his mark at the NHL level, but he’s emerged in a big way over the last two seasons. The production has been almost identical while shouldering an even heavier workload defensively in 2024-25 with Miro Heiskanen out injured. Harley also impressed when stepping into a difficult situation at the 4 Nations Face-Off, displaying the full package of skills he provides on the blue line.
26. MTL: Noah Dobson
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | NYI | 71 | 10 | 29 | 39 | -16 | 196 | 57 | 126 |
| 2023-24 | NYI | 79 | 10 | 60 | 70 | +12 | 174 | 84 | 180 |
The newest Montreal Canadien, Noah Dobson, slots in at number 26 on our list. After six years on Long Island, the 25-year-old priced himself out of town and will look to continue his ascension in Montreal. Prior to a down 2024-25 campaign, Dobson had shown improvements every year, and it’s certainly possible he gets back to that on a highly skilled Canadiens team. His puck-moving ability and shot are elite, and while his defense isn’t great, he’s shown flashes of being capable on that side of the puck. At 6’4, and 200 pounds, he does have the tools to hold his own defensively.
25. SEA: Brandon Montour
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | SEA | 81 | 18 | 23 | 41 | -22 | 231 | 84 | 100 |
| 2023-24 | FLA | 66 | 8 | 25 | 33 | +1 | 168 | 104 | 67 |
At number 25 comes one of our guys, Brandon Montour. This may feel high to some, but we love Montour’s game and everything he brings to the table. The stats haven’t been as eye-popping following a career-high 73 points in 2022-23, but he’s still playing at a high level… 18 goals from a defenseman on that Kraken team is pretty impressive. Montour is an excellent skater who roams around the ice with ease while having the skill to make plays with the puck. He’s no Jaccob Slavin defensively, but he plays with jam and can get under his opponents’ skin, something you love to have on the back end.
24. WSH: John Carlson
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | WSH | 79 | 5 | 46 | 51 | +17 | 167 | 49 | 131 |
| 2023-24 | WSH | 82 | 10 | 42 | 52 | -7 | 176 | 69 | 194 |
To nobody’s surprise, John Carlson continues to do his thing. The 35-year-old has consistently been one of the best defensemen in the league and remains a workhorse even towards the back end of his career. It’s very hard to find a true number one on the blue line, but that’s exactly what Carlson has been for Washington. He’s a minute muncher who plays in all situations (PP, PK, O-zone, D-zone) and provides plenty of offensive juice. Carlson obviously isn’t what he was 3-5 years ago, but he deserves his respect for still being this good and reliable 1,088 career games later.
23. FLA: Seth Jones
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | CHI/FLA | 63 | 9 | 27 | 36 | -24 | 129 | 96 | 109 |
| 2023-24 | CHI | 67 | 8 | 23 | 31 | -15 | 172 | 77 | 131 |
What a crazy turn of events the 2024-25 season was for Seth Jones. Being traded from the bottom-feeder Chicago Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers was the best thing that could have ever happened to him. Jones’ time in Chicago obviously didn’t go well, which led many to count him out. However, we never understood why because you had to think a change of scenery would be beneficial, and evidently it was. He looked like the Seth Jones from Columbus, displaying his all-around ability as a workhorse defenseman. He was one of the most important players throughout the cup run, and they truly wouldn’t have won without him.
22. PIT: Erik Karlsson
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | PIT | 82 | 11 | 42 | 53 | -24 | 191 | 29 | 94 |
| 2023-24 | PIT | 82 | 11 | 45 | 56 | +4 | 213 | 40 | 99 |
This one might be controversial, but at number 22 comes Erik Karlsson. While there’s no doubt that EK65 is a polarizing player, you cannot dismiss his dynamic skill set. Through two seasons in Pittsburgh, he hasn’t come close to Norris Trophy-level play; however, the production is still pretty darn good. 56 and 53 points on a Penguins team that is very thin behind its top players is nothing to sneeze at. Karlsson still flashes the skating, playmaking, and elite offensive instincts he possesses, unlike many others, quite often. His defensive errors can be egregious and head-scratching, but playing on a more sound team with a solid partner could bring out his best.
21. MIN: Brock Faber
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | MIN | 78 | 10 | 19 | 29 | -2 | 124 | 36 | 115 |
| 2023-24 | MIN | 82 | 8 | 39 | 47 | -1 | 136 | 65 | 150 |
Rounding out 30 through 21 on the blue line is Brock Faber. The main piece in the return from the Kevin Fiala trade burst onto the scene as a rookie, almost winning the Calder Trophy. He didn’t have that same success this past season, but Faber has shown enough to earn the 21st spot in our ranking. While he’s not the most gifted in terms of talent or offensive ability, he makes up for it with his defensive game. Faber has a tremendous stick and is a great skater who’s always in the right position as a shutdown defender. We’ve seen people point to turnovers and his +/-, but don’t forget this is a 22-year-old tasked with playing 25 minutes a night against the other team’s best.
20. FLA: Aaron Ekblad
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | FLA | 56 | 3 | 30 | 33 | +11 | 106 | 90 | 64 |
| 2023-24 | FLA | 51 | 4 | 14 | 18 | +27 | 98 | 85 | 59 |
The second Florida Panther featured on our list is Aaron Ekblad. After being drafted first overall back in 2014 with more focus on his offensive prowess, Ekblad has altered his game to become a nasty shutdown defenseman who can still produce points. He’s not racking up double-digit goals from the back end anymore, but he might be more valuable than ever. He and Gustav Forsling are a suffocating pairing, with Ekblad specifically using his skating, size, and stick to make life miserable for the opposition. The lifelong Panther has been a staple on the blue line for three consecutive Stanley Cup runs, and Florida is going to reap the rewards of his new discounted contract.
19. VGK: Shea Theodore
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | VGK | 67 | 7 | 50 | 57 | +18 | 128 | 6 | 82 |
| 2023-24 | VGK | 47 | 5 | 37 | 42 | +4 | 105 | 9 | 78 |
At number 19, we’ve got Shea Theodore of the Vegas Golden Knights. Theodore is one of the few to have been in Vegas from the start and will remain a Golden Knight for the foreseeable future. He’s an extremely gifted offensive defenseman who skates and makes plays effortlessly. His skating and hockey IQ also help him on the defensive side of the game to round out as a very complete player. With this skillset, you’d think Theodore would rank higher on our list, but injuries have really hampered him in recent years. He hasn’t played in 68 or more games since 2021-22, which is quite strange for a guy who really doesn’t engage in the physical aspects of the game.
18. DET: Moritz Seider
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | DET | 82 | 8 | 38 | 46 | -5 | 162 | 212 | 181 |
| 2023-24 | DET | 82 | 9 | 33 | 42 | -7 | 135 | 211 | 213 |
Next up on our list is Moritz Seider. The 24-year-old has been an absolute stud on the blue line in Detroit immediately since stepping into the league, which he has a Calder Trophy to show for. Like Brock Faber, Seider has been tasked with a heavy workload at a young age and has thrived. He possesses a combination of size, skating, and skill that general managers dream of when looking for a number one defenseman. Seider does it all; he plays in every situation, blocks shots, and lays the body. The production has been very good, right around the 50-point mark in all four of his seasons thus far, but a leap offensively would shoot Seider even higher up our ranks.
17. CGY: MacKenzie Weegar
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | CGY | 81 | 8 | 39 | 47 | +18 | 184 | 223 | 192 |
| 2023-24 | CGY | 82 | 20 | 32 | 52 | +2 | 208 | 194 | 200 |
MacKenzie Weegar is another one of our favorites who we believe is very underrated. After a slower start to his career, Weegar developed into a strong top-4 defenseman in Florida. However, since the trade to Calgary, he’s taken off to new levels. Weegar has always been a super competitive and physical player who leaves it all on the ice every night. What’s improved throughout the years and flown under the radar is his offensive abilities. He has a bomb of a shot and makes tons of smart plays with the puck. The Matthew Tkachuk trade is still tough for Flames fans to swallow, but MacKenzie Weegar has become a leader on the back end and is invaluable to the team.
16. OTT: Jake Sanderson
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | OTT | 80 | 11 | 46 | 57 | -14 | 195 | 38 | 163 |
| 2023-24 | OTT | 79 | 10 | 28 | 38 | +8 | 158 | 49 | 139 |
Another young blueliner that’s working his way up the ranks is Jake Sanderson. We had high expectations for the Ottawa Senators defenseman heading into 2024-25, and despite a bit of a slow start, he managed to put together his most productive season yet. Sanderson also looked great in his first taste of postseason hockey, logging massive minutes in the process. You’ll be hard-pressed to find many better skaters in the world, and with more experience and maturity, the rest of his game has started to round into form. We anticipate an even bigger jump from Sanderson as he enters his age-23 season, potentially emerging into a true superstar.
15. MTL: Lane Hutson
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | MTL | 82 | 6 | 60 | 66 | -2 | 91 | 40 | 123 |
After just one full NHL season, Lane Hutson has already cemented himself as one of the best defensemen in the world. Many want to knock the 21-year-old for his size or the lack of sample we’ve seen from him, but the 82-game season he just put together was special. Hutson was so dynamic, working magic at the offensive blue line with his shiftiness and making plays all over the ice. His hockey IQ is off the charts, and it showed in the stats… 60 assists as a rookie defenseman! While the defense might not be perfect, he actually holds his own quite often and works his tail off to keep up with the size and speed of the opposition. Montreal’s got a superstar in the making.
14. COL: Devon Toews
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | COL | 76 | 10 | 34 | 44 | +30 | 138 | 30 | 103 |
| 2023-24 | COL | 82 | 12 | 38 | 50 | +28 | 159 | 74 | 110 |
Devon Toews used to be underrated, but he’s started to get his recognition in recent years, and deservedly so. Many just think of him as Cale Makar’s partner, but trust us, he’s much more than that. It’s not easy to keep up with superstar talent, let alone gel so perfectly the way Toews does with Makar. The chemistry has been immediate since he came over from Long Island. Toews does it all defensively; stick always in the right spot, well-positioned at all times, and blocking shots on the regular. There are very few that stack up with his defensive abilities, and that’s without mentioning his poise with the puck and overall hockey IQ that impacts all facets of the game.
13. FLA: Gustav Forsling
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | FLA | 80 | 11 | 20 | 31 | +33 | 195 | 83 | 89 |
| 2023-24 | FLA | 79 | 10 | 29 | 39 | +56 | 160 | 111 | 102 |
The other half of the Florida Panthers’ top defense pairing! How was Gustav Forsling available to be claimed off waivers in 2021? Since joining the Panthers, he has quickly become one of, if not the best, defensive defenseman in hockey. He and Aaron Ekblad have been the neutralizing force on the blue line en route to back-to-back Stanley Cups. Forsling is an incredible skater who has the speed and edge work to keep up with anyone. He, of course, also has tremendous defensive instincts to block shots, use his stick, and limit opponents, but another part of his game that isn’t as talked about is his puck-moving ability and sneaky good shot from the point. What a player Gustav Forsling has turned into.
12. BOS: Charlie McAvoy
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | BOS | 50 | 7 | 16 | 23 | 0 | 98 | 89 | 81 |
| 2023-24 | BOS | 74 | 12 | 35 | 47 | +4 | 133 | 159 | 159 |
Falling just outside of the top 10 is Charlie McAvoy. The 2024-25 season was not kind to the Bruins star blueliner, though it shouldn’t erase what he’s shown to be throughout his career. Like everyone in Boston, McAvoy got off to a really tough start, which was followed by the scary injury at 4 Nations ending his year. Far from ideal, but let’s look at the whole picture. McAvoy is a beast that loves to play physically, something we saw firsthand when he rocked Connor McDavid in the Canada-USA rivalry game. He also possesses very good offensive abilities, including a heavy shot from the point, for a combination that makes him one of the best two-way defensemen in hockey.
11. EDM: Evan Bouchard
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | EDM | 82 | 14 | 53 | 67 | +14 | 235 | 31 | 108 |
| 2023-24 | EDM | 81 | 18 | 64 | 82 | +34 | 220 | 71 | 105 |
Coming in at number 11 is one of the more polarizing players in hockey: Evan Bouchard. The discourse around Bouchard can be wild. While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, nobody can seriously discount just how good this guy is. Playing alongside McDavid and Draisaitl or not, 82- and 67-point seasons from a defenseman are as good as it gets. Not to mention, his production gets even better on the biggest stage in the playoffs. We all know about the Bouch bomb from the point, his ability to distribute the puck, and the elite hockey IQ. His defensive game has its hiccups, which are often tough to watch, but it’s nowhere near as bad as people make it out to be.
10. WPG: Josh Morrissey
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | WPG | 80 | 14 | 48 | 62 | +17 | 172 | 49 | 113 |
| 2023-24 | WPG | 81 | 10 | 59 | 69 | +34 | 196 | 90 | 103 |
Kicking off the top 10 is Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets. Morrissey has ascended from good to great over the last three years, and it’s been awesome to watch. Despite his smaller frame, the 6’0, 195-pound defenseman is a rock for the Jets and does it all. Three consecutive 60+ point, 10+ goal seasons while logging massive minutes and remaining durable is so impressive. When former head coach Rick Bowness came to Winnipeg, he challenged Morrissey to become one of the best defensemen in the league, knowing he had always been a tremendously smart player with the skill set to be elite. All he’s done ever since is tap into that potential and never look back.
9. TBL: Victor Hedman
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | TBL | 79 | 15 | 51 | 66 | +18 | 181 | 39 | 133 |
| 2023-24 | TBL | 78 | 13 | 63 | 76 | +18 | 168 | 65 | 102 |
The wily vet, Victor Hedman, continues to play at a high level into his mid-thirties. Hedman has been a top 10 defenseman from almost the moment he stepped into the NHL and isn’t showing any signs of falling out just yet. A down 2022-23 campaign had many wondering if this was the start of a decline for the big Swede, but he proved them all wrong, bouncing back with 76- and 66-point seasons in the two years to follow. Even at 34 years old, Hedman is such a smooth skater, and with his size and reach, there’s not much he can’t do on the ice. Age eventually catches up to everyone, but for the time being this guy is still a horse on the back end in Tampa Bay.
8. CAR: Jaccob Slavin
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | CAR | 80 | 6 | 21 | 27 | +16 | 110 | 21 | 136 |
| 2023-24 | CAR | 81 | 6 | 31 | 37 | +21 | 151 | 55 | 120 |
Another guy who used to be underrated but has started to rightfully receive his flowers is Jaccob Slavin. The Carolina Hurricanes defense corps has been anchored by Slavin for almost 10 years now, and he only looks to be getting better. For fans who weren’t aware, the Denver, Colorado, native showed his defensive dominance at the 4 Nations Face Off, continuously stymying the best players in the world. His smarts, skating, strength, and stick combine to be an almost impossible task for offensive players to beat. Any loose puck around the crease or in the defensive zone somehow gets mopped up or blocked by Jaccob Slavin. His offense is never going to wow anyone, but 30-ish points with A+ defense earns the eighth spot in our ranks.
7. CBJ: Zach Werenski
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | CBJ | 81 | 23 | 59 | 82 | +12 | 298 | 19 | 131 |
| 2023-24 | CBJ | 70 | 11 | 46 | 57 | 0 | 202 | 23 | 130 |
What a season for Zach Werenski. The 2024-25 Norris Trophy runner-up was racking up numbers from start to finish, almost willing the Blue Jackets into a surprise playoff berth. Injuries have unfortunately derailed some of his seasons in the past, which he’s otherwise played very well. Werenski has largely been regarded as one of the better offensive defensemen in the game, but this year he took things to another level. He was healthy, playing in 81 games and produced at over a point-per-game rate for the first time in his NHL career. The 28-year-old makes everything look so easy, from his skating to his shooting to his poise with the puck. Werenski’s always had the upside to produce at this level and should continue that moving forward.
6. NYR: Adam Fox
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | NYR | 74 | 10 | 51 | 61 | +9 | 135 | 40 | 108 |
| 2023-24 | NYR | 72 | 17 | 56 | 73 | +21 | 137 | 44 | 123 |
Adam Fox falls a hair short of cracking the top 5 in our ranks. The Rangers should be so thankful this guy forced his way to New York because it’s hard to imagine where they’d be without him. Fox has been one of the best defensemen in hockey from the jump and has just kept getting better. His hockey IQ is second to none, and he combines that with tremendous playmaking ability and poise with the puck as a true quarterback on the back end. He’s not the biggest or best skater you’ll find, but he makes up for it with every other part of his game. Some are down on Fox after this season, which shows just how special he is given that 10 goals, 51 assists, and 61 points in 74 games from the blue line is considered disappointing.
5. DAL: Miro Heiskanen
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | DAL | 50 | 5 | 20 | 25 | +7 | 108 | 17 | 85 |
| 2023-24 | DAL | 71 | 9 | 45 | 54 | +8 | 162 | 55 | 97 |
Starting us off in the top 5 is Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen. The smooth Finn doesn’t get the same attention as some others, but man is he damn good. We saw just how big of a hole his absence was for the Stars down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs. Heiskanen is another guy that makes the game look so easy with his skating and agility to get around the ice and make plays. You can pencil him in for 25 minutes of shutdown hockey every night without thinking twice about it. Outside of a career-high 73 points in 2022-23, Heiskanen’s stats haven’t really jumped off the page; otherwise, he’d be in line with the very few that rank ahead of him.
4. NSH: Roman Josi
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | NSH | 53 | 9 | 29 | 38 | -26 | 150 | 42 | 95 |
| 2023-24 | NSH | 82 | 23 | 62 | 85 | +12 | 268 | 46 | 151 |
Everyone needs to stop sleeping on Roman Josi. The now 35-year-old had a difficult 2024-25 campaign, which was cut short because of an injury, but that shouldn’t have you forgetting about how dominant of a player he is. Josi has consistently hovered around a point per game while potting double-digit goals as a defenseman. He’s got a rocket of a shot and is an absolute weapon offensively… it was just last year that he tallied 23 goals and 85 points. Not to mention he logs heavy minutes on a nightly basis as Nashville’s best defensive defenseman on top of all that. Josi was a consensus top 3-5 D-man entering the season, and we don’t believe what happened makes him deserving of a freefall down our list. He’s bouncing back in 2025-26; book it.
3. BUF: Rasmus Dahlin
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | BUF | 73 | 17 | 51 | 68 | +11 | 200 | 101 | 98 |
| 2023-24 | BUF | 81 | 20 | 39 | 59 | -3 | 235 | 195 | 154 |
Times are tough for the Buffalo Sabres, so let’s give it up for Rasmus Dahlin. If this franchise is ever going to turn it around, it will be led by their captain and superstar defenseman. Dahlin has shown tremendous growth over his NHL career and is now firmly in the conversation amongst the best. The last three seasons in particular have been elite, as he’s deposited 15-plus goals and 59-plus points in all of them. Like the other guys near the top of our ranks, Dahlin touches every aspect of the game offensively and defensively. We also love the bite Dahlin plays with, never backing down from anyone and throwing his body around with big hits. His style fits playoff hockey to a tee; he just needs the opportunity to show it.
2. VAN: Quinn Hughes
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | VAN | 68 | 16 | 60 | 76 | +2 | 192 | 13 | 67 |
| 2023-24 | VAN | 82 | 17 | 75 | 92 | +38 | 199 | 29 | 55 |
He certainly was in contention for the top spot, but Quinn Hughes ultimately winds up as our second-best defenseman in the NHL. Hughes is the heartbeat of the Vancouver Canucks and has become an even better player than we had anticipated… a top 10 player in the world, for that matter. Nobody works the offensive zone and blue line like him with the hands, shiftiness, quickness, and smarts to make the right play. He’s one of the very few players in the league who single-handedly controls games; the puck is always on his stick. The only weakness anyone could point to is his size, but despite that, he still does a tremendous job neutralizing the opposition. Crazy to think that he’s only 25 years old and could still be getting better…
1. COL: Cale Makar
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HITS | BLKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | COL | 80 | 30 | 62 | 92 | +28 | 246 | 51 | 128 |
| 2023-24 | COL | 77 | 21 | 69 | 90 | +15 | 231 | 37 | 148 |
The best defenseman in hockey…Cale Makar. Quinn Hughes has closed the gap, but there’s nobody in the world like this guy. We’ve heard it said that Makar is Connor McDavid as a defenseman, and that’s the truth. There is honestly no weakness in Cale Makar’s game. He’s one of the best skaters in the league in all aspects, from acceleration to edge work to straight speed—everything. The hands and mind are just as fast to keep up and create magic. His quick shot from the point comes in like a missile with pinpoint accuracy. And he uses all of those skills on the defensive side while occasionally laying a big hit. The numbers fit the eye test for Makar, and trust us, it’s just a matter of time before he puts up a 100-point season from the blue line.
The Sports Outsider 
Leave a comment