His puck skills need a lot of work, too, but that can be saved for later. That includes tallying 68 points in 2017-18, 70 points in 2018-19 and 75 points in 2019-20. Still, his point-per-game percentage over the. This perk will increase the player's Shot Blocking, Def. CS Media Limited All Rights Reserved. NHL 22: Fastest Players (Forwards and Defensemen), NHL 22 Strategies: Complete Team Strategies Guide, Line Strategies & Best Team Strategies, NHL 22 Franchise Mode: Best Young Players, NHL 22 Franchise Mode Draft: Best Prospects and Top Draft Steals 2022 (First Draft), NHL 22: Best Teams to Rebuild in Franchise Mode, NHL 22 Player Ratings: Best Young Centers. among defensemen last season with 45 points. Oilers get: Defenseman Mattias Ekholm (4 percent of salary retained by the Predators ), 2024 sixth-round pick. Shore up his physical ratings and he could be the best player in NHL 22 for your team. Thanks to his powerful shot, he sits fourth among all rearguards with 94 total goals. 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. Erik Gustafsson, TOR20. His stats with the Predators over the past five seasons back this up. Where he could use improvement are his senses and puck skills. We are the premier subreddit to talk everything hockey! The Predators are in transition longtime GM David Poile is calling the shots until the end of June, when his retirement becomes official. A skilled, young defenseman with considerable offensive ability, Quinn Hughes' 53-point performance in 2019-20 made him a finalist for theCalder Memorial Trophy. He followed that up by becoming a finalist last season for theJames Norris Memorial Trophy. He's ledall NHL defensemenin total points over the past four seasons with 257. Now 31, Carlson continues to produce at a high level, tallying 44 points in 52 contests last season. On offense, Kuznetsov is a dangerous foe. Awareness, 93 Puck Control, 93 Off. Jakob Chychrun, OTT19. He also netted at least 40 points six times in the past seven seasons with the Bruins, Calgary Flames and Carolina Hurricanes. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. As a sophomore, he tallied 44 points in as many games. 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. One of two New Jersey players on this list, Okhotyuk gains the edge over Kevin Bahl who is rated higher overall thanks to the higher potential of the imposing Russian. Here's everything we know, The paths of KD and Kyrie: How one month changed three franchises and two superstar legacies. His physical and skating skills are better, but not by much. 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. Barrie is signed for the rest of this year and next for a reasonable $4.5 million. The Lead Editor at OG, Bruce has been an avid gamer since childhood, owning the NES, SNES, N64, PS one, PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Game Boy, GBC, GBA, DS, 3DS, and Switch throughout his life. Rasmus Dahlin, BUF (INJ.) The first-round pick is the prize, and Schafer sounds like an interesting piece to have around, too. A defensive defenseman is your first step in establishing a top-line defense. 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. WebWho are the top defensemen in NHL 21. Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality. He was ranked No. That's why it's crucial to have a strong first pairing to anchor a blue-line corps. But ask yourself does that matter? Dmitry Orlov, BOS (NEW)30. He can improve on defense, though his speed can help make up for some of his lower ratings. Lindgren's more defensive style complements Fox's puck-moving game. Gustav Forsling, FLA41. Sean Gentille:Dont let the multiple elements in play here confuse you; each teams respective goal is obvious. 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. production (0.59) over the past two seasons slid to 24th among NHL blueliners. Someone every team would love to have. Josh In just four NHL campaigns, Heiskanen has established himself as a talented offensive rearguard. 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. Awareness, and Discipline by 2, 3, and 2 points. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Hedman, 30, has played every season with the Lightning since coming into the NHL as a 19-year-old in 2009-10. However, it's not unusual for there to be two swift-skating defenders who can also generate offense or two defensive-minded rearguards who can neutralize an opponent's top scorers. among defensemen, and he's fifth in total points with 412 over the same period. 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. Predators retain four percent of Ekholm remaining cap hit/salary, Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 28, 2023. Ignore the fact that they used one of their three salary retention slots to absorb a whole 4 percent of Ekholms deal; they got out from under most of it, and good as Ekholm still is, he had zero functional value for a franchise that is moving into the next phase of his existence. Webname season tm gp g a p +/-pim ppg ppa shg sha gwg otg s s% toi/gp; tyson barrie: 2022-23 Since his first full campaign in 2013-14, he's tallied 38-plus points eight straight times across stints with the Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers. Mike Matheson, MTL44. Generally people take points into a large consideration when looking at defensemen, as its fairly easy to track. Shawn enjoys discovering engaging stories, whether they be from movies, video games, books, or any other form in which they may be told. While things like body checking and stick checking wellare both important for defensemen, the ability to successfully transition the puck up the ice can be just as effective in reducing shots and goals against. 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. He could move up among the elite puck-movers with a strong outing in 2021-22. The 22-year-old Finn's 25:05 time on ice per game ranks seventh among all defensemen since last season. Zdeno Chara's departure last winter via free agency left the Bruins without a regular defense partner for rising star Charlie McAvoy. In just two seasons, Adam Fox has joined the ranks of the NHL's elite defensemen. Maybe Klingberg is in their future if they can navigate the cap complications. He is a tall, mobile, intelligent defender who provides value at both ends of the ice. Sometimes a duo that works well together can be split up to address weaknesses elsewhere on the blue line. They could become a playoff contender if he maintains his usual level of production with his new teammates. With his size, speed, hockey smarts and booming shot, he remains among the NHL's top offensive rearguards. Samuel Girard, COL28. Winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2019-20, Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi is among the NHL's best defensemen. "I've seen players where their ice time goes up and their performance declines. The 35-year-old Yandle sitsfourth overallamong defensemen with 600 points since his NHL debut in 2006-07. Like his counterpart from Edmonton, MacKinnon excels in every aspect of the game. I've made the case that the Lightning defenseman could be the best all-around hockey player in the world. 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. His discipline and poise are 70 while his offensive awareness is 69. Also like Gaudreau, he excels in other areas. His skating skills are a little better, but none are more than 76. Last season proved more difficult for Hughes and the Canucks as they, due in part to a slow start and a COVID-19 outbreak. 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. Your email address will not be published. Finding the right combination isn't easy. Two more had him third. 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. Adam Fox, New York Rangers. For defensemen, they'll want their build to have perks that help them break up plays with their stick, make good hits, and make quick breakout passes out of their zone. He also checks the boxes on the physical end. Check out all the fastest players in NHL 22 in the table below. Signed in July by the Oilers to athree-year contract, Barrie's production should remain among the league's best. Why shouldnt it be the Oilers? We canvassed 10 active NHL players -- seven skaters, three goaltenders -- and 10 individuals in team hockey operations, from coaches to general managers to player personnel executives. Grzelcyk may be small for an NHL defenseman at 5'9" and 178 pounds, but he possesses good puck-moving skills. 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. Already an ESPN+ subscriber? 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. But that wasnt nearly enough to squeeze in Ekholm which is why Tyson Barrie, the quarterback of the Oilers No. 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. 2022-23 Mayfield 2022-23 Pulock 2022-23 Forsling 2022-23 Staal 2022 Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. He led the Stars in playoff scoring with 26 points during their run to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final. His awareness and stick checking are 78 with a 76 in shot blocking, and unlike others on this list, his senses are good with an 80 in discipline and 78 in offensive awareness though the 70 in poise is concerning. 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. He recently returned to practice and could make his season debut soon. This list has the best young defensive defensemen in NHL 22. 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. Hes a fan of the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher sang Ellis' praises at the time of the deal, calling him "an excellent all-around defenseman." Brandon Montour, FLA13. He's fifth in total points (94) over thepast two seasonsand has yet to reach his playing prime. His aggressiveness and body checking are both 80, and his durability an 82. Another big defender at 6'3" and 205 pounds, Pelech tends to play a more defensive role. 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. The linchpin of the Washington Capitals defense corps, John Carlson's smooth skating and offensive skills make him an invaluable part of their scoring attack too. Injuries make a player worse at just about everything, and that is never fun. He struggled at times with his new club last season, finishing with 32 points. remains among the top 10, sitting fourth overall. Winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2014-15, the 6'4", 215-pound Ekblad sits fourth among Panthers scorers in points (241) since his NHL debut. The 24-year-old Werenski is a skilled and mobile blueliner, tallying 47 points as a rookie in 2016-17. Stylistically, Ekholm is just what the Oilers need a big body that can play hard defensive minutes on the left side of the top pair, and take some of the pressure away from Darnell Nurse, who is currently eating probably too many minutes per night (23:51). He should remain among the league's high-scoring defensemen while skating with superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Since 2014-15, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been the NHL's top franchise. It will also decrease the player's Wrist Shot Accuracy, Slap Shot Accuracy, and Deking by 2, 2, and 3 points. 2. The 25-year-old had 22 points in 35 games in 2020-21 before suffering a season-ending leg injury. He had three game-winning goals and four power play goals. Player stats (accurate as of Oct. 29) viaNHL.com. Though sidelined by a recent injury, the 30-year-old has four points in his first three games whileaveraging 24:09 minutes per game. A Norris Trophy winner in 2015-16, Doughty had exceeded the 40-point plateau seven times in his 13 NHL seasons. Shea Theodore, VGK17. Chychrun is an extremely underrated but extremely good shutdown guy. Karlsson prevented goals because he always had the puck. Nashville also retained 4 percent of the contract, according to Pierre LeBrun. Remember how that looked: Nashville was a borderline playoff team and Ekholm looked like one of the most-cost effective adds out there a player earning $3.75 million in the next-to-last year of a six-year, $22.5 million contract hed signed with the Predators, a deal that was proving to be a massive bargain. He has also worked as a ghostwriter, but by definition, he can't prove it. Theyre a better team now than they were a couple hours ago. Since last season, the 6'3" 220-pound Finn leads the Stars in blocked shots with 120. The 6'2", 215-pounder logged a team-leading 22:26 of ice time per game last season, finishing second in blocked shots with 106 and fifth with 97 hits. This perk will increase the player's Off. The surveys were conducted over the past two months. I once asked Hockey Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom how he evaluates other defensemen. Yes that is true the poke checks are OP. This list is a collaborative effort by Pete Jensen and Anna Dua. Erik Karlsson, SJS. 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. (0.93) ranked second among defensemen with at least 100 games played. Value has been quantified based on factors including but not limited to past production in the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs, defense pairs, power-play usage, injury history or concern, age, contract status and overall upside for the rest of this season. It will also decrease the player's Wrist Shot Accuracy and Slap Shot Accuracy by 4 and 3 points. , Hughes will be a significant contributor to the Canucks' offensive punch. However, his output fell to just 27 points in 56 games last season, the lowest since his 12-point performance in 2007-08. Eight of his goals and 17 of his assists were on the power play. February 28, 2022 by Marko Zlomislic. Hedman's strong two-way game earned the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2017-18 and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2019-20. Stats are collected from sites such as Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference and Evolving Hockey. Awareness, 94 Puck Control, 95 Discipline, 93 Puck Control, 93 Wrist Shot Accuracy, 93 Speed, 92 Acceleration, 91 Wrist Shot Power, 92 Passing, 92 Puck Control, 92 Off. Now 28, Hamilton faces the challenge of becoming a blue-line leader for the rebuilding Devils. Jeff Petry, PIT49. 2 earned nine points and so on. In NHL 21, players can choose from a varied selection of Traits and Specialties that will boost the attributes of their player loadout for online World of CHEL modes. Sometimes, it can be that simple. His aggressiveness and strength are 72 and body checking 70. The physical blueliner is also their leader with 96 blocked shots and 52 takeaways, and he's second in hits with 136. A. limited him to 20 points in 35 games last season. While his durability of 85 is fine, his other physical skills need improvement if he is going to make an impact. 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. The 30-year-old Barrie's offensive skills put him seventh, since 2013-14 with 381 career points. 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. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Where he could improve is on the defensive end, particularly since he plays a defensive position. Despite missing time because of injuries throughout his career, the 34-year-old, among NHL blueliners since his debut, with 582 in 853 games. among NHL defensemen last season with 45 points. 0.97 PPG. 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. They make mistakes. 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. Best NHL Defenseman: Points per Game. Few players can keep up with the superstar Canadian. That includes a career-high 72 points (along with 20 goals) in 2018-19. He's netted 30-plus points three times and could be poised to put up bigger numbers as he enters his playing prime. His physical skills could improve a little. Individual awards, experience and performance were among the items that factored into this ranking. Now 30, the long-time Lightning rearguard shows no sign of slowing down. Makar's point totals would have been higher if not for injuries. Edmonton is trying to improve a defense that, improved numbers aside, doesnt pass the Cup contender sniff test. Amid a breakout season with the Flyers 10 Best Perks For Defensemen In NHL 21. Corey Pronman: Ekholm is a legit high-in-the-lineup NHL defenseman. 3. The Oilers had cleared $3 million of salary-cap space earlier in the day by trading Jesse Puljujarvi to the Carolina Hurricanes. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Which non-quarterback group will define each top-25 team's season? Drew Doughty, LAK22. Last season for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, he had eight assists and six goals over 24 games. If you want to still be able to bang some bodies, but not sacrifice a ton of speed/athleticism. He exceeded the 40-point plateau again in 2018-19 and 2019-20. Using this list, you should be able to find some quality young talent around which to build your defense for years to come. Unlike Burns and Karlsson, his point-per-game (0.83) over thepast two seasonsremains among the top 10, sitting fourth overall. All Rights Reserved. With a minimum of twenty game played, here is a look at the top 10 NHL defenseman based on a PPG %. Theyre blowing things up. A gifted playmaker, he led all defensemenin 2020-21 with 42 assists and finished second with 47 points. Brodin is especially shut down exclusive, so often gets missed. 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. He had a longer runway than other young players," Lidstrom told me recently, "but boy, did he ever take off, in every aspect of his game.". In just two seasons, Adam Fox has joined the ranks of the NHL's elite defensemen. Speed, as they say, kills. But who are the best shutdown beasts that come to mind for you? It will also decrease the While Kukkonen does have good durability (85) and shot power (82 for both), he is a prospect in every sense of the word in that he needs plenty of time to develop. Try a week on us. His discipline is 75 with poise at 65 and offensive awareness at 63. It will also decrease the player's Agility by 3 points. Not bad. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? The Golden Knights' patience in developing Theodore's game is paying off. At the risk of being cooked by a subgroup of Edmonton fans, I dont think moving out Barrie is necessarily addition by subtraction. While he had no power play goals, he did have 19 assists on the power play. These perks can be used to either round out weaknesses in a build or highlighta build's strengths. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Now the Rangers' undisputed top blueliner, Fox will face considerable pressure to follow up last season's impressive performance. His endurance, at least, is 87, so he can stay on the ice longer. The former Stanley Cup champion had 20 assists and nine goals across 41 games during the 2020-2021 season. It will also decrease the player's Passing by 4 points. Awareness, 95 Passing, 95 Off. Makar's point totals would have been higher if not for injuries. WebBUY NHL 21 Recognize Greatness. 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. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2023. He also sits second among their blueliners with 124 points. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. At the bottom of the page, you will find a list of the best young offensive defensemen in NHL 22. A two-time Norris Trophy winner, Karlsson netted at least 62 points six times in his 12 NHL seasons. On the ice, change up your attack with all new moves, dekes, dangles and evasive maneuvers, inspired by the leagues most groundbreaking innovators. Hes a fan of the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. 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. Two more had him second. Of those 33 goals, 11 were game-winners, while two were netted in overtime. by 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. But Hedman wasnt the only First, goals allowed is the big one. His balance and durability should keep him on the ice as he will rarely fall, which would increase the risk of injury. Thatll be worth monitoring to see how it plays out. Age: 24Rating: 95Position: CenterType: PlaymakerTeam: Edmonton OilersShoots: LeftBest Attributes: 98 Offensive Awareness, 97 Hand-Eye, 97 Puck Control. Beyond his speed, the two-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner as MVP boasts incredible puck skills with a 97 in deking, hand-eye, and puck control with a 96 in passing. Samuel Bolduc could prove to be a steal for your franchise should you develop him appropriately. After nine seasons with the Boston Bruins, Krug signed with the St. Louis Blues in 2020. Hes just good. His 0.67 points-per-game average is second to Erik Karlsson (0.79), Letang is approaching the period in his career when his offensive output could start to decline. His performance earned him an eight-year contract extension worth an annual average value of $9.5 million. Seth Jones, CHI43. It will also decrease the player's Wrist Shot Accuracy and Off. His hand-eye and slap shot accuracy are both 94. It's his offensive prowess, however, that draws the most attention. They won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, reached the Cup Final in 2015 and won the 2019 Presidents' Trophy with a, . 4 platypus_bear CGY - NHL 2 yr. ago In those eight seasons, he'sthird overallbehind Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson in total points among defensemen with 429. Ryan Graves, NJD48. Schaefer is a very good prospect. He exceeded the 40-point plateau again in 2018-19 and 2019-20. He led them in short-handed ice time per game (2:35), was second in average ice time (23:47) per game andblocked shots with 534, and he was fifth with 167 points. RELATED:NHL 21, 10 Prospects To Draft In Franchise Mode. Spurgeon also gets listed as underrated by players, hard player to get by despite being 5'7". You have to be able to defend," he told me. He has an 80 in aggressiveness, body checking, and durability, though he does have an 87 in endurance and 86 in strength. Adam Fox New York Rangers. WebGet team defense stats for the 2020-2021 NHL season, including goals and shots against for the regular season and playoffs. Hes an ideal short-term piece with a problematic short-term contract ($6.25 million AAV for three seasons after this one). Roman Josi, NSH8. If not, oh well youve got to ice a full lineup. Brady Skjei, CAR46. Aaron Ekblad, FLA47. Those defensemen log the most ice time among their teammates, including in power-play and short-handed situations. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ad8882951d244e308d463714f1cc5337" );document.getElementById("b90191b810").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. He is second to John Carlson of the Capitals in points-per-game average among defensemen since the 2017-18 season (0.83).