All Rights Reserved. Ranking the NHL's top defensemen: Why Victor Hedman is so far ahead of his peers, QB Young 5-10 1/8, 204 pounds at NFL combine, 'Not going out this way': Nets, down 28, stun C's, Scherzer tries to test pitch clock limits, gets balk, Sources: Patriots tell QB Hoyer he's being cut, Garber: MLS would be flexible for Messi move, Shiffrin, in fifth, gets 'big goal' with overall title, Ledecky sees 9-year win streak in U.S. snapped, Wolverines' Turner wows with 4.26 40 at combine, Inside the long-awaited return of Jon Jones and his quest for heavyweight glory, The future of the NFL combine: Is there really a chance it could end forever? Hes not flashy. 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. His physical skills could improve a little. 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. production (0.59) over the past two seasons slid to 24th among NHL blueliners. Now the Rangers' undisputed top blueliner, Fox will face considerable pressure to follow up last season's impressive performance. On offense, Kuznetsov is a dangerous foe. That shouldve already been clear. 0.97 PPG. Thatll be worth monitoring to see how it plays out. Lindgren is also fourth at even-strength time per contest (17:16) and in blocked shots with 66. Gaudreau had 30 assists and 19 goals across 56 games for Calgary during the 2020-21 season. 1 earned 10 points, No. Your email address will not be published. He controls play in his own zone as a defensive stopper. Victor Hedman, TBL11. Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty Few defensemen in the NHL could've done more with the surrounding talent Doughty had last year. Since his debut in 2017-18, the 23-year-old McAvoy has steadily developed as the Bruins' top defenseman. Unlike Kukkonen, Montgomery is just 18. His endurance, at least, is 87, so he can stay on the ice longer. His puck skills need a lot of work, too, but that can be saved for later. Hes just good. However, having a constant boost to poke checking ability whenever the defenseman is in their zone will improve the chances of poking the puck, and not the opponent's skates, when the time for a poke check inevitably arises. Continue reading this article and more from top writers, for only $9.99/mo. He is a tall, mobile, intelligent defender who provides value at both ends of the ice. Adam Larsson, SEA39. 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 As for Nashville, the Predators have now traded three contributing players off the roster Nino Niederreiter to the Winnipeg Jets and Tanner Jeannot to the Tampa Bay Lightning harvesting mostly draft choices, two young players and Barrie. In just two seasons, Adam Fox has joined the ranks of the NHL's elite defensemen. Awareness by 4 and 3 points. Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below. The question, as always, is whether each end of the deal justifies its reason for being. Still, his point-per-game percentage over thepast two seasons(0.93) ranked second among defensemen with at least 100 games played. Using this list, you should be able to find some quality young talent around which to build your defense for years to come. CS Media Limited All Rights Reserved. Instead, his speed is lower at 92 while his agility is higher at 94, with acceleration at 93. An impressive rookie campaign earned the Colorado Avalanche defenseman the, in 2019-20. Drew Doughty, LAK22. In addition to his solid defensive game, his mobility, puck-moving skills and ability to log big minutes has contributed to his offensive success. He has a 95 in deking, passing, puck control, offensive awareness, and wrist shot accuracy. Is it more important for Edmonton to avoid an overpay in two years when theyve got McDavid and Draisaitl right now, in a conference where the top teams have seemed unwilling or unable to reach for the brass ring? But there is one stat he scrutinizes: How much they play, and how good they are after playing a ton of minutes. Bowen Byram, COL25. Tyson Barrie, NSH40. The 26-year-old rearguard netted 46 points in 71 games in 2019-20 and 42 points in 53 games last season. NHL trade deadline: Winners and losers, including the Bruins, Devils and Bruce Boudreau? 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. Paired together since 2019-20, they've swiftly emerged among the league's best blue-line tandems. Montgomery did not appear for the London Knights last season, but during 2019-2020, he had two assists in 33 games. His hand-eye and slap shot accuracy are both 94. Part of the New York Rangers' recent rebuilding process, Ryan Lindgren and Adam Fox have been together since their first full seasons in 2019-20. This perk will increase the player's Body Checking and Balance by 4 and 3 points. Also like Gaudreau, he excels in other areas. He has good senses with a 94 in offensive awareness, 91 in defensive awareness, and 90 in poise. He had four different primary defensive partners -- Jan Rutta, Dan Girardi, Jake Dotchin and Anton Stralman -- during his four straight Norris nominations. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. For now, their priority was obvious they needed someone to strengthen their overall defensive play in front of goaltenders Jack Campbell and Stuart Skinner. among defensemen last season with 45 points. 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. Predators get: Defenseman Tyson Jeff Petry, PIT49. But that wasnt nearly enough to squeeze in Ekholm which is why Tyson Barrie, the quarterback of the Oilers No. Some, such as the Tampa Bay Lightning's Victor Hedman, play a terrific two-way game, contributing to their team's scoring while playing a responsible defensive game. The players chosen for this list are all 21 and younger and chosen based on the grade in potential. Speed, as they say, kills. Over 10 NHL seasons, Tyson Barrie has proved himself as a reliable point-producing defenseman. Awareness while on the penalty kill. 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. If you want to still be able to bang some bodies, but not sacrifice a ton of speed/athleticism. 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. Rasmus Sandin, WSH (NEW)45. 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. David Pastrnak, like Gaudreau, has a 93 rating in acceleration, agility, and speed. Bruce holds a Ph.D. in Education and formerly taught undergraduates as an adjunct instructor. Age: 29Rating: 86Position: CenterType: PlaymakerTeam: Washington CapitalsShoots: LeftBest Attributes: 93 Acceleration, 93 Agility, 93 Speed. Makar's point totals would have been higher if not for injuries. The fourth overall pick from the 2017 draft, Makar has great puck skills. Player stats (accurate as of Oct. 29) viaNHL.com. Your email address will not be published. Since 2014-15, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been the NHL's top franchise. Arguably the best player in hockey, Connor McDavid has lived up to the hype since being drafted first overall by Edmonton in 2015. Miro Heiskanen, DAL16. I once asked Hockey Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom how he evaluates other defensemen. among NHL defensemen last season with 45 points. Signed in July by the Oilers to athree-year contract, Barrie's production should remain among the league's best. Mmmm that Yotes Avs series is still too fresh for me to agree there, It's that weird thing teams outside of california do. Now, speed is not the only necessary skill a team needs, but it certainly helps bridge any gap or widen it for successful teams. This list has the best young defensive defensemen in NHL 22. I wouldnt call his playmaking a major asset and his skating is just OK, but theres a lot of pieces in his game to become a middle-six powerful type of wing in the NHL. At the bottom of the page, you will find a list of the best young offensive defensemen in NHL 22. Oilers get: Defenseman Mattias Ekholm (4 percent of salary retained by the Predators ), 2024 sixth-round pick. 2) Victor Hedman, Lightning 2020-21 Stats: 9 G, 36 A in 54 GP Hedman has been one of the league's top defensemen, particularly from an offensive standpoint, for Thanks to his powerful shot, he sits fourth among all rearguards with 94 total goalssince 2014-15. Stretch passes are long passes from the defensive zone into the neutral zone. He plays the right side, same as Roman Josi, last years Norris Trophy runner-up, so it remains to be seen how the Predators sort out the minutes and the responsibility going forward. Barrie is a necessary piece going the other way. If you're able to handle that ice time and still perform, or even get better as the game goes on, that's very important.". This does not apply when both teams have taken a penalty (4-on-4 or 3-on-3). 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. It will also decrease the player's Wrist Shot Power and Puck Control by 4 and 2 points. 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. Choosing NHL 22s best young defensive defensemen. Two more had him third. Your email address will not be published. The more offensive-minded of the two, Pulock enjoyed three consecutive 32-plus point seasons from 2017-18 to 2019-20. Fox led. Traits and Specialties will make or break a build NHL 21's online modes. Defensive Minded will allow the user to stick check and intercept passes more effectively and make them less likely to take a penalty when attempting a defensive play. 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. 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. His skating skills are a little better, but none are more than 76. Fehervarys hand-eye is only 71 with his other puck skills all at 77. In other words, they didnt sacrifice either Evan Bouchard or Philip Broberg in the deal, two of their better young defensemen. Top 20 defensemen in the NHL for the 2022-23 season of the last four seasons with the exception being the shortened year in 2020-21. It feels different but the learning curve is pretty minimal. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ac8a95dcd7c97b1d582a267662c16003" );document.getElementById("b90191b810").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. That was the beginning of seven straight seasons with 40-plus points, including a career-high 65 during his Norris Trophy campaign. Thats a down-the-road problem for a team currently out of the playoff picture. Hes a fan of the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. This is a great deal for both sides. Kucherov is in rather that Pastrnak as Kucherov has a higher overall rating, but both are fine as they have the same speed score. The second version of this perk will reduce the player's Endurance and Strength by 2 and 3 points, and defensemen will need their cardio and strength more than their agility. The 23-year-old McAvoy rose in just four seasons to become the Bruins' top defenseman. 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. Age: 22Rating: 88Position: Right DefenseType: Offensive DefensemanTeam: Colorado AvalancheShoots: RightBest Attributes: 94 Agility, 93 Deking, 93 Passing. That suggests he still has some productive seasons left in him. The 25-year-old had 22 points in 35 games in 2020-21 before suffering a season-ending leg injury. A two-time Norris Trophy winner, Karlsson netted at least 62 points six times in his 12 NHL seasons. Hes been a big part of a top WHL team in Seattle over the last two seasons and played a limited role on Canadas World Junior team this winter. And they did this by giving up a decent prospect in Reid Schafer plus a first- and a fourth-round draft choice. RELATED:NHL 21, 10 Under The Radar Players To Acquire In Franchise Mode. Getting help on the blue line and more specifically getting the right kind of help leaps the Oilers near the front of the Pacific Division line, where only a handful of points separate the top five teams. He changes the complexion of the Oilers blue line and furthers their bid as a legit Stanley Cup contender. Thats 19th highest among NHL defensemen. The season prior, he had ten assists and four goals in 56 games with Hershey, and one assist in six games with the Washington Capitals. Oilers get: Defenseman Mattias Ekholm (4 percent of salary retained by the Predators), 2024 sixth-round pick, Predators get: Defenseman Tyson Barrie, forward Reid Schaefer, 2023 first-round pick, 2024 fourth-round pick. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? These perks can be used to either round out weaknesses in a build or highlighta build's strengths. His aggressiveness and strength are 72 and body checking 70. Hes able to score from the dots and around the net. He's led. He is also someone who rarely spends time in the penalty box, having spent just six minutes there during the 2020-21 season and amassing a total of 106 minutes over eight seasons. Nevertheless, Hughes finished thirdamong Canucks scorerswith 41 points in 56 games. He needs vast improvement in his senses and puck skills, and a bit more focus on his skating. Keith, Chara, and (at least from what I remember then) Doughty could fill the shutdown description. Tyson Barrie (David Kirouac / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). NEXT:NHL 21, 10 Tips To Win The Stanley Cup In Franchise Mode, Shawn is a Canadian writer for ScreenRant who studied Communications and Philosophy at The University of Ottawa. He's also their leader with 110 blocked shots and 47 takeaways. Noah Dobson, NYI21. RELATED:NHL 21, 10 Prospects To Draft In Franchise Mode. Adam Fox, New York Rangers. His performance earned him an eight-year contract extension worth an annual average value of $9.5 million. Our survey respondents agreed that Hedman is, at the very least, the best defenseman in the world. For all his perceived defensive deficiencies, Barrie has been an effective player for the Oilers this year. Do you agree or disagree with our selections? Add those to his mediocre scores in senses with a 75 in discipline and a 70 in both offensive awareness and poise and its clear that it will take time, but that he can develop into a solid player. 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. Already an ESPN+ subscriber? All of which is a long preamble into why when Ekholm was finally traded after 719 career games in a Nashville uniform it was just another in a long line of complicated financial transactions that required some jockeying on the part of both clubs to make the dollars work. The previous season, he split time between the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and the Sherbrooke Phoenix. Predators retain four percent of Ekholm remaining cap hit/salary, Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 28, 2023. 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. You have to be able to defend," he told me. He has a fine shot, but his accuracies are paltry at 69 each. He is good in the skating and physical departments (mostly) with an 85 in durability and balance, 84 in strength, 81 in acceleration and speed, and 80 in agility. Dmitry Orlov, BOS (NEW)30. Eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in July, Klingberg could earn a lucrative new contract with the Stars or another NHL club. While injuries limited Matt Grzelcyk to 37 games last season, he wound up seeing more playing time with McAvoy than any other Bruins blueliner. Age: 26Rating: 93Position: Center/Right WingType: PlaymakerTeam: Colorado AvalancheShoots: RightBest Attributes: 95 Acceleration, 94 Hand-Eye, 94 Offensive Awareness. He has a 93 in deking, passing, and puck control, though his hand-eye is lacking a bit (but still good) at 86. 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. Thanks to his powerful shot, he sits fourth among all rearguards with 94 total goals. Brent Burns, CAR10. Defensively, his awareness is only 69 while his shot blocking and stick checking are 72. A finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy last season, Makar is among the NHL's elite mobile defensemen. With his size, speed, hockey smarts and booming shot, he remains among the NHL's top offensive rearguards. Age: 28Rating: 92Position: Right WingType: SniperTeam: Tampa Bay LightningShoots: LeftBest Attributes: 96 Deking, 96 Puck Control, 96 Offensive Awareness. His puck skills range from 66-69. He struggled at times with his new club last season, finishing with 32 points. He maintains that Chrono Trigger is still the best game ever made, though the games hes played the most are Ogre Battle 64 and MLB The Show.
2022-07-08T15:03:45+08:007月 8, 2022|