The top blueliners in the division this year features a bevy of talent
Every year we usually rank 15 defensemen as the default, but let’s spice it up and cut it down to 10 this time around. It’s a doozy this year, one could easily re-rank about all of 2-7 in many different orders in a completely reasonable way.
HM: Kris Letang, Adam Pelech, K’Andre Miller, Marcus Pettersson
10. Travis Sanheim, Philadelphia Flyers. Sanheim has turned into a workhorse defender for the Flyers, averaging almost 24 minutes a game in all situations. He can block shots, get some takeaways, is good in transition.
9. Brent Burns, Carolina Hurricanes. At 39 years old, Brent Burns is the oldest player under contract for the NHL this season. He’s barely slowed down, still playing 21:30 last season and his 20 power play points were good for 13th in the league. He’s a great player fit in the possession and shot heavy Carolina system, firing off 185 shots last season.
8. Brett Pesce, New Jersey Devils. Pesce jumps from one division team for another, going to the Devils as a free agent. It could prove to be a massive shift. At only 13 points, he isn’t an offensive force but his all around game should prove to be a massive boost and steadying force to NJ’s defense, at the expense of the wake it leaves behind in Carolina.
7. Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets. It can be difficult to judge Werenski as a good player on a bad team, but he’s a lock to hit double digits in goals when he is healthy (six out of six times, omitting two injury-plagued years). Last season Werenski’s 57 points ranked 12th among NHL blueliners. A likely member of Team USA at the upcoming 4 Nations and Olympcs, Werenski’s star could be on the rise when getting back in the spotlight.
6. John Carlson, Washington Capitals. Carlson, 34, fought back the hands of time a little last year with one of the better seasons of his NHL career with 52 points. He was counted on perhaps a little too much with a NHL high 25:54 minutes played per game, answering the bell for all 82 games along the way.
5. Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins. Karlsson can be a polarizing player to rank, the advanced stats absolutely love him but he can leave observers wanting more. In his favor is playing 24+ minutes a night, firing 213 shots on net (5th among NHL defensemen). Not in his favor is only two power play goals and quarterbacking a terrible group there. But this isn’t a 2023-24 ranking, it’s a projection of player ability for the year
4. Noah Dobson, New York Islanders. 2023-24 was Dobson’s third tremendous season in a row, he’s really stacking them up now and at only 24-years old the best is still ahead. He put up 60 assists last season, good for sixth in the NHL among defenders and his 70 points ranked seventh. Dobson’s puck movement is superb and his vision and playmaking ability rack up the scoring chances for his teammates.
3. Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes. Slavin is the best defensive defenseman in the division. His 2.51 takeaways/60 led all top defender in the NHL last season. He’s no slouch offensively with a six goal, 31 assist season, even though he’s not a power play general like many others on this list.
2. Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils. Hamilton missed 60 games last season and his value was on display by what was lacking for NJ in his absence. The Devils will be counting on a return to form in 2024-25, and we would bet Hamilton delivers.
1. Adam Fox, New York Rangers. Fox is up to four-straight top five finishes in the Norris trophy voting after a career-high 17 goals last year to go along with yet another 70+ point season. His high EV defensive impact makes him one of the most well-rounded and perfect prototype for the modern day NHL blueliner.