Dougie Hamilton's offensive skills were apparent early in his NHL career with the Boston Bruins, exceeding 40 points for the first time in 2014-15. Since last season, the 6'3" 220-pound Finn leads the Stars in blocked shots with 120. While Hedman is no doubt the beneficiary of having an incredible assemblage of offensive talent around him, he's also an integral part of that offense with his puck-rushing and passing skills. In 20 I used a 59 186 Sniper so I could still pose a threat offensively and be big enough to knock most builds off the puck, this year it doesnt stand a chance Im curious to find a versatile build appreciate anyone who responds. As a sophomore, he tallied 44 points in as many games,leading the clubin power-play ice time per game (4:11) while finishing second with an average ice time per game of 24:19. A defensive defenseman is your first step in establishing a top-line defense. Age: 28Rating: 92Position: Right WingType: SniperTeam: Tampa Bay LightningShoots: LeftBest Attributes: 96 Deking, 96 Puck Control, 96 Offensive Awareness. He's fifth in total points (94) over thepast two seasonsand has yet to reach his playing prime. 1. When it comes to gameplay, nothing groundbreaking. What metrics best define value for scoring defensemen or "defensive" defensemen? They won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, reached the Cup Final in 2015 and won the 2019 Presidents' Trophy with arecord-tying 62 wins. The Arizona Coyotes unloaded another top player prior to the NHL trade deadline, sending defenseman Jakob Chychrun to the Ottawa Senators.. Ottawa is sending a 2023 first-round draft pick, a 2024 conditional second-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick to Arizona. Carve your path to superstardom in an expanded Be A Pro mode and go down as one of the leagues greatest. For forwards, the search parameters were having a minimum of 91 in speed and acceleration with an 87 in agility. Continue reading this article and more from top writers, for only $9.99/mo. Though limited to 33 points in 48 games last season, Josi remains among the game's elite mobile blueliners. A skilled, young defenseman with considerable offensive ability, Quinn Hughes' 53-point performance in 2019-20 made him a finalist for theCalder Memorial Trophy. A strong skater who logs big minutes for the Maple Leafs, the 27-year-old Rielly reached or exceeded 27 points in each of his eight NHL campaigns. Hes an ideal short-term piece with a problematic short-term contract ($6.25 million AAV for three seasons after this one). Hes not flashy. Standard fantasy categories include goals, assists, plus/minus, power-play points, shots on goal and hits for skaters. He's their overall leader since 2016-17 in time on ice per game (24:09), short-handed ice time (2:48) and blocked shots with 722. The Oilers had cleared $3 million of salary-cap space earlier in the day by trading Jesse Puljujarvi to the Carolina Hurricanes. McDavid ended the 2020-21 season with 72 assists and 33 goals in 56 games for 105 points, his fourth season of 100+ points. Adam Fox, New York Rangers. If Smid continues to improve, and young defenseman Justin Schultz makes an impact in his first NHL season, the Oilers' defense will take great strides in 2012-13. He became a key cog in their offensive attack last season, especially on. Rasmus Dahlin, BUF (INJ.)4. Given the effectiveness of Pelech and Pulock as a shutdown blue-line tandem, however, don't be surprised if they're reunited at some point this season. The Oilers have previously been linked to a series of skilled mostly offensive defencemen Erik Karlsson and John Klingberg, to name just two. He led all blueliners in scoring last season, , Barrie's production should remain among the league's best. Age: 22Rating: 88Position: Right DefenseType: Offensive DefensemanTeam: Colorado AvalancheShoots: RightBest Attributes: 94 Agility, 93 Deking, 93 Passing. The youngest player on this list by one year, Quinn Hughes is also only the second defenseman who scored at least a 93 in speed score. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Aseason-ending injurylimited him to 20 points in 35 games last season. 0.92 PPG. Ekholm is who hes always been; exceedingly solid in his own end, and a guy capable of doing the dirty work in the transition game. NHL 22 Player Ratings: Best Young Defensive Defensemen, NHL 22 Strategies: Complete Team Strategies Guide, Line Strategies & Best Team Strategies, NHL 22 Franchise Mode: Best Young Players, NHL 22 Franchise Mode: Best Free Agents to Sign, NHL 22: Best Teams to Rebuild in Franchise Mode, NHL 22 Player Ratings: Best Young Centers. Rasmus Dahlin, BUF (INJ.) A finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy last season, Makar is among the NHL's elite mobile defensemen. Sean Gentille:Dont let the multiple elements in play here confuse you; each teams respective goal is obvious. Injuries, however, have hampered the 31-year-old since joining the Sharks in 2018-19, dropping hispoint-per-game average(0.57) to 21st overall during that period. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. NHL 2023. (0.93) ranked second among defensemen with at least 100 games played. The 30-year-old Barrie's offensive skills put him seventh, since 2013-14 with 381 career points. Whether its Boston, Tampa Bay, Toronto, the Rangers, the Devils theyre going to have to play someone from the Western Conference. WebDefensive Defenseman NHL 23 List of Players with Defensive Defenseman Archetype on NHL 23 Below is the latest list of Top 100 Players with Defensive Defenseman Player Defensemen are relied upon to patrol the blue line where they'll likely be taking most of their shots, and slap shots are most effective from that range. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Bowen Byram, COL25. 0.85 PPG. He's netted 30-plus points three times and could be poised to put up bigger numbers as he enters his playing prime. He also netted at least 40 points six times in the past seven seasons with the Bruins, Calgary Flames and Carolina Hurricanes. The below table lists all of the best young defensive defensemen in NHL 22. Also like Gaudreau, he excels in other areas. Those abilities would make him the top defenseman in this year's NHL free-agent market, earning him a seven-year,$63 million contractwith the New Jersey Devils. Injuries and a shortened schedule limited him to 32 points in 2019-20, but he netted 36 points in 53 games the following season. Cale Makar zooms onto the list with his 94 in agility and 93 in acceleration and speed, making him the fastest defenseman by speed score. Hes part of the best power play most of us have ever seen, and his overall game has bounced back a bit in 2022-23. Mike Matheson, MTL44. It didn't take Cale Makar long to secure his spot among the NHL's top stars. Letang is approaching the period in his career when his offensive output could start to decline. His hand-eye and slap shot accuracy are both 94. Adam Larsson, SEA39. By DylanFremlin @dylanfremlin May 17, 2021, 8:00am CDT Share this story His two-career game-winning goals came during the 2019-20 season when he had eight goals and 45 assists over 68 games, pitching in 14 assists and two goals over 17 playoff games in his only postseason experience. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. He is a ridiculously talented player. The 2019-20 Rookie of the Year is entering his third season, but has already made an impact in his first two. His mobility and puck-handling skills earned him three Stanley Cup rings and placed him among the league's highest-scoring defensemen. His skating skills are a little better, but none are more than 76. They have the best all-around defenseman in hockey in Victor Hedman, so that is always a big plus in giving your blue line an edge. Team: Buffalo SabresAge: 21Position: Right Defense/Left DefenseType: Defensive DefensemanShoots: RightContract: $0.750M, 1 Year Left, Two-WayBest Attributes: 85 Durability, 82 Slap Shot Power, 82 Wrist Shot Power. Player stats (accurate as of Oct. 29) viaNHL.com. Lighting defensemen Victor Hedman tops this list, as he received a 91 OVR rating from the NHL team. Potential is not all that he possesses, though. WebScott Mayfield and Ryan Pulock are tied for the most games by a defenseman this season, with 61 games. But that wasnt nearly enough to squeeze in Ekholm which is why Tyson Barrie, the quarterback of the Oilers No. The previous season with the Ottawa 67s, he had 25 assists and six goals in 54 games. Johnny Gaudreau is fast with a 93 in acceleration, agility, and speed, but he is more than just a blur. Hamilton says Mercedes a long way off pace, LIVE Transfer Talk: Bayern still keen on Kane despite new Choupo-Moting contract, Previewing the 2023 college baseball season: Teams and players to watch, key storylines, Road to the men's Frozen Four: Conference tournaments at a glance, Top moments from Brady, Manning, Jordan and other athletes hosting 'Saturday Night Live', Dr. A's weekly risers and fallers: Jeremy Sochan, Christian Wood make the list, could be the best all-around hockey player in the world, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Aaron Ekblad, FLA47. NHL Defensemen Scoring Leaders 20222023 1 2 3 4 5 6 OverallTime on IceGoalsAssistsPointsper 60per GameShotsDefensiveFaceoffs NHL defenseman stats The 5'11", 187-pounder collected 50 points in 57 games as a rookie to finish second. The pairing usually consists of a skilled puck-mover and a shutdown blueliner. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Still, his point-per-game percentage over the. Interceptor will allow the user to not only intercept passes more effectively, but to get into position to make a good defensive play with the boost to Agility, as well. Instead, his speed is lower at 92 while his agility is higher at 94, with acceleration at 93. Fehervary is already a solid all-around player. Here, you will find the fastest forwards and defensemen to add to your team. He was also their leading scorer (26 points) in the2020 playoffs. His slap shot accuracy is a 94 with both power ratings at 90. Despite missing time because of injuries throughout his career, the 34-year-oldsits sixthin pointsamong NHL blueliners since his debut, with 582 in 853 games. His three highlighted attributes are his best, which should help keep him on the ice. His physical and skating skills are better, but not by much. Lindgren is also fourth at even-strength time per contest (17:16) and in blocked shots with 66. The former Stanley Cup champion had 20 assists and nine goals across 41 games during the 2020-2021 season. Your email address will not be published. He said the best of the best play instinctually, like he did. This I's a trick alot of people don't no and I dont like telling lol but if u hold out poke check with r1 and u press in r3 u get an added poke. Samuel Girard, COL28. It's his offensive prowess, however, that draws the most attention. Fox led. I once asked Hockey Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom how he evaluates other defensemen. Last season proved more difficult for Hughes and the Canucks as they, due in part to a slow start and a COVID-19 outbreak. Since last season, the 27-year-old leads all Bruins defensemen in power-play ice time per game (2:30) and sits second to McAvoy in points with 20. It will also decrease the among NHL defensemen last season with 45 points. First, goals allowed is the big one. His aggressiveness and strength are 72 and body checking 70. He has a 77 in shot blocking, which is decent, and better ratings with 85 in awareness and 87 in stick checking. After nine seasons with the Boston Bruins, Krug signed with the St. Louis Blues in 2020. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Fehervarys hand-eye is only 71 with his other puck skills all at 77. Sometimes, it can be that simple. Erik Karlsson, SJS2. Filip Hronek, VAN (INJ.)34. A superb skater with strong play-making abilities, Klingberg tallied 40 points or more in his first five NHL campaigns. Which non-quarterback group will define each top-25 team's season? He led all rookies in points,finished fourthamong Canucks regular-season scorers and third with 16 points in postseason scoring. On Tuesday, the Oilers decided the answer was yes. Awareness and Durability by 6, 3, and 4 points. Tyson Barrie, NSH40. Awareness boost also helps the user pick up loose pucks after a blocked shot. Brent Burns, CAR10. Where he could improve is on the defensive end, particularly since he plays a defensive position. He has a 90 in deking and passing, a deadly combination when paired with his speed ratings. Awareness, and Discipline by 2, 3, and 2 points. And they did this by giving up a decent prospect in Reid Schafer plus a first- and a fourth-round draft choice. His shot power for both is a 92 with his wrist shot accuracy edging his slap shot accuracy 93 to 90. Miska Kukkonen is rare for this list in that he has played all of his career for Finnish teams and the Finland national team. He's been a Norris Trophy finalist in four straight seasons, winning the award in 2017-18 for the first and only time. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. A gifted playmaker, he led all defensemenin 2020-21 with 42 assists and finished second with 47 points. Their acquisition of Ryan Ellis this summer from the Nashville Predators should address that need. 3. Esa Lindell and John Klingberg were the Dallas Stars' best defense pairing prior to this season. Adam Fox, NYR3. production (0.59) over the past two seasons slid to 24th among NHL blueliners. in power-play ice time per game (4:11) while finishing second with an average ice time per game of 24:19. Team: New York IslandersAge: 20Position: Left DefenseType: Defensive DefensemanShoots: LeftContract: $0.750M, 0 Years Left, Two-WayBest Attributes: 85 Balance, 85 Slap Shot Power, 85 Durability. Do you agree or disagree with our selections? He can use improvement in all aspects, particularly puck skills and defense. WebGet team defense stats for the 2022-2023 NHL season, including goals and shots against for the regular season and playoffs. Look at who gets paired with Norris nominees. If he can stay healthy, he should remain a perennial Norris Trophy candidate. He recently returned to practice and could make his season debut soon. Given his youth, impressive mobility and play-making abilities, more Norris Trophies could be sitting on his mantel in the near future. RELATED:NHL 21, 10 Under The Radar Players To Acquire In Franchise Mode. Drew Doughty, LAK22. The question, as always, is whether each end of the deal justifies its reason for being. Playing a major role in those accomplishments was Victor Hedman, who. With a minimum of twenty game played, here is a look at the top 10 NHL defenseman based on a PPG %. His strength is a solid 86. This perk will increase the player's Body Checking and Balance by 4 and 3 points. This list has the best young defensive defensemen in NHL 22. He was also their leading scorer (26 points) in the, A two-time Norris Trophy winner, Karlsson netted at least 62 points six times in his 12 NHL seasons. It will also decrease the player's Agility by 3 points. WebGet team defense stats for the 2020-2021 NHL season, including goals and shots against for the regular season and playoffs. Unlike Burns and Karlsson, his point-per-game (0.83) over the. His awareness is only a 77, and both shot blocking and stick checking are 80. This Specialty is a great choice for defensemen, as stretch passes can be vulnerable to interception by the opposing team. 27 viidenmetrinmolo PHI - NHL 2 yr. ago I mean you can be the worst defensive player in the league but if you dominate possession, you prevent much more goals than a good defensive guy who's stuck in his own zone. . Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Since his debut in 2017-18, the 23-year-old McAvoy has steadily developed as the Bruins' top defenseman. Hockey Sense will allow the user to intercept passes and pick up loose pucks more effectively, as well as make better passes and shots. The 23-year-old New York Rangers star took home the James Norris Memorial Trophy last season, joining Hall of Famer Bobby Orr as, Fox is a talented all-around defenseman, logging a, while finishing second with 38 takeaways last season. Awareness and Agility by 4 and 2 points. Hes a fan of the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. Sometimes a duo that works well together can be split up to address weaknesses elsewhere on the blue line. Fast forward two years, and Seelers reputation and status around the league has changed dramatically. These are the best perks for defencemen who want to shut down opponents. The season prior for the Ottawa 67s, he had 16 assists and three goals in 39 games. Team: Vancouver CanucksAge: 21Position: Right DefenseType: Defensive DefensemanShoots: RightContract: $0.860M, 2 Years Left, Two-WayBest Attributes: 85 Durability, 84 Slap Shot Power, 84 Wrist Shot Power. Bruce holds a Ph.D. in Education and formerly taught undergraduates as an adjunct instructor. His 107 goals since 2013-14 rank. 1 earned 10 points, No. He and his teammates also struggled defensively, giving up the third-highest, (33.4) and sixth-most goals-against per game (3.34). RELATED:10 Best Badges For Centers In NBA 2K21. His puck-moving abilities and offensive instincts make him among the league's top rearguards. WebMost valuable options at position for standard leagues; new podcast episodes. In modern hockey, it is imperative to have speed on your lines, or your team is doomed to failure. After Jamie Oleksiak's offseason departure to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft, he also leads them in hits over that period with 134. Since last season, Fox has averaged a team-leading 24:43 of ice time. Shayne Gostisbehere, D, CAR, John Carlson, WSHZach Werenski, CBJ (out for season). The blueliners who didn't make the cut are as noteworthy as those who did. Awareness by 4 points instead of Passing, and the ability to break up opposing passes is more important for defensemen than completing their passes. It will also decrease the player's Off. Awareness, 93 Puck Control, 93 Off. His endurance, at least, is 87, so he can stay on the ice longer. His production from the blue line during the 2018 playoffs played a crucial role in their march to the 2018 Stanley Cup,netting 20 pointsin 24 games. However, even with that poise, his faceoffs are only a 77. It will also decrease the player's Wrist Shot Accuracy, Slap Shot Accuracy, and Deking by 2, 2, and 3 points. Victor Hedman, TBL11. Owen Power, BUF (rookie)36. This perk will increase the player's Off. Depends on the Norris nominee, though. This does not apply when both teams have taken a penalty (4-on-4 or 3-on-3). He netted 33 points during his 2018-19 NHL debut, 35 points 68 games as a sophomore and 27 points in 55 games last season. Awareness, 95 Wrist Shot Accuracy. Amid a breakout season with the Flyers Thats a down-the-road problem for a team currently out of the playoff picture. Do the elite have to do both well, or can one aspect compensate for the other? Where he does lack as evidenced by the sub-80 rating is in faceoffs, where he has a career 44.8 win percentage, though he won a career-high 49.53 in 2020-21. Alex Pietrangelo, VGK33. As a condition of using this website, you agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from your use of any services on any third party website that may be featured by Covers. Gaudreau had 30 assists and 19 goals across 56 games for Calgary during the 2020-21 season. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Cale Makar, COL (INJ.) His deking, puck control, and awareness are at 96 while his hand-eye, passing, poise, and wrist shot accuracy are at 95. Dmitry Orlov, BOS (NEW)30. Quinn Hughes 86 OVR (Potential: Elite Med) Team: Vancouver Canucks Age: 21 Position: Left Defense Type: Offensive Defenseman Shoots: Left Contract: $0.915M, 0 Years Left, Two-Way Best Attributes: 93 Speed, 93 Deking, 93 Awareness and Balance by 3 and 5. If you enjoy his writing, feel free to follow him on Twitter: @ShawnDoherty1, NHL 21, 10 Prospects To Draft In Franchise Mode, NHL 21, 10 Under The Radar Players To Acquire In Franchise Mode, NHL 21, 10 Tips To Win The Stanley Cup In Franchise Mode, Minecraft: The Best Level for Diamonds in 2023, Where To Find (& Catch) Thestrals In Hogwarts Legacy, Hogwarts Legacy: 10 Best Cloaks You Need To Find ASAP. The Def. Maintaining an elite defensive pairing can mean the difference between a contender and a pretender. NHL trade deadline: Winners and losers, including the Bruins, Devils and Bruce Boudreau? WebWho are the top defensemen in NHL 21. Last night I ran a 6"5 defensive defenseman with stick em up and defensive minded. Our survey respondents agreed that Hedman is, at the very least, the best defenseman in the world. The 24-year-old Flyers rearguard reached or exceeded 26 points in each of his five previous NHL campaigns. They turned around and signed him to a four-year, $25 million extension in October 2021. This perk will increase the player's Stick Checking, Def. There are those, however, who are as renowned for their offensive skills as their defensive ones. If you want to still be able to bang some bodies, but not sacrifice a ton of speed/athleticism. Kris Letang, PIT15. Tyson Barrie (David Kirouac / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so. Cale Makar zooms onto the list with his 94 in agility and 93 in acceleration and speed, making him the fastest defenseman by speed score. His 85 in durability should keep him on the ice to learn and grow, and his 84 in both slap and wrist shot power makes him a good offensive force from the right defense. Awareness while on the penalty kill. He leads the Panthers since 2020-21 in short-handed ice time per contest (2:46), while his 22:15 of time on ice per game ranks behind only Ekblad. He's also their leader with 110 blocked shots and 47 takeaways. They are listed by left and right defense. Shore up his physical ratings and he could be the best player in NHL 22 for your team. Two more had him second. Paired together since 2019-20, they've swiftly emerged among the league's best blue-line tandems. Where he could use improvement are his senses and puck skills. That shouldve already been clear. Respondents were asked to rank their top 10 players at center, winger, defenseman and goaltender, based on a predetermined list of the top 20 to 30 players at each position. If you want to inject more speed and quickness to your team for more goal scoring opportunities, acquire some of these players for your franchise in NHL 22. Theyre a better team now than they were a couple hours ago. WebBUY NHL 21 Recognize Greatness. Eight of his goals and 17 of his assists were on the power play. "He's just a hell of a player," said one NHL coach. Signed in July by the Oilers to athree-year contract, Barrie's production should remain among the league's best. Thanks to his powerful shot, he sits fourth among all rearguards with 94 total goals. Those abilities would make him the top defenseman in this year's NHL free-agent market, earning him a seven-year, The 6'6", 230-pounder isn't a physical blueliner, but he uses his long reach to strip opposing players of the puck and his big strides to move the puck up the ice. Since his sophomore campaign, he's been their overall leader in time on ice time per game (22:55). That said, hes certainly worse than Ekholm and only a year younger, and the Oilers needed to send out money to make the deal work. He was ranked No. His one area of focused improvement aside from faceoffs and fighting skill is his shot blocking, rated a 75. Fox ledall NHL defensemenin 2020-21 with 42 assists while finishing second with 47 points. Awareness, 95 Passing, 95 Off. Age: 26Rating: 93Position: Center/Right WingType: PlaymakerTeam: Colorado AvalancheShoots: RightBest Attributes: 95 Acceleration, 94 Hand-Eye, 94 Offensive Awareness. That was the beginning of seven straight seasons with 40-plus points, including a career-high 65 during his Norris Trophy campaign. Recent performance, career offensive numbers and consistency factored into this compilation. Dougie Hamilton, NJD7. The players chosen for this list are all 21 and younger and chosen based on the grade in potential. Montgomery did not appear for the London Knights last season, but during 2019-2020, he had two assists in 33 games. Acquired from the Islanders last October, Toews meshed quickly with Makar. Evan Bouchard, EDM (NEW)37. Adam Fox New York Rangers. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. WebThe best defence is a good offence. While his discipline is fine at 80, his offensive awareness is 77 and his poise a meager 70. Stats are collected from sites such as Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference and Evolving Hockey. Ekholm was finally getting paid for a decade of quiet, effective service to the Preds. He was ranked No. 1 in that span, ahead of Zdeno Chara (+82). Cale Makar Colorado Avalanche. Arguably the best player in hockey, Connor McDavid has lived up to the hype since being drafted first overall by Edmonton in 2015. Already an ESPN+ subscriber? Here's everything we know, The paths of KD and Kyrie: How one month changed three franchises and two superstar legacies. Mikhail Sergachev, TBL23. Fact-Checking, Corrections & DMCA Takedowns, NHL 22 Fight Guide: How to Start a Fight, Tutorials, and Tips, NHL 22 X-Factors Explained: Zone and Superstar Abilities, All X-Factor Players Lists, NHL 22 Player Ratings: Best Young Grinders, NHL 22 Player Ratings: Best Young Power Forwards, NHL 22 Be A Pro: How to Build the Best Two-Way Center, NHL 22: How to Win Faceoffs, Faceoff Chart, and Tips, NHL 22 Player Ratings: Best Young Left Wingers. It will also decrease the player's Wrist Shot Accuracy and Slap Shot Accuracy by 4 and 3 points. He's led. The more offensive-minded of the two, Pulock enjoyed three consecutive 32-plus point seasons from 2017-18 to 2019-20. Edmonton is trying to improve a defense that, improved numbers aside, doesnt pass the Cup contender sniff test. After ranking the wingers last week, here are the positional rankings for defensemen for the 2020-21 season, according to those in the NHL we surveyed. Speed, as they say, kills. Darnell Nurse, EDM35. The seventh overall pick from 2018 has more than just speed. Kucherov is in rather that Pastrnak as Kucherov has a higher overall rating, but both are fine as they have the same speed score. Last season proved more difficult for Hughes and the Canucks as theymissed the playoffs,due in part to a slow start and a COVID-19 outbreak. Favorite additions though are adding practice for your club and a free skate mode when editing/testing different load outs. As a sophomore, he tallied 44 points in as many games. Theyre blowing things up. Ranking the NHL's top 20 defensemen for the 2022-23 season from Cale Makar to Brent Burns | Sporting News Canada BUF BOS 4:00p NSH FLA 4:00p PIT TB Corey Pronman: Ekholm is a legit high-in-the-lineup NHL defenseman. Now, speed is not the only necessary skill a team needs, but it certainly helps bridge any gap or widen it for successful teams. John Klingberg wasted little time establishing himself among the NHL's scoring defensemen, tallying 40 points in 65 games in 2014-15. He's ledall NHL defensemenin total points over the past four seasons with 257. His defense is adequate, but still needs improvement. One of the aspects of his game that doesn't get enough attention: That the Lightning have been able to play him with anyone and still Hedman excels.