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Stats are collected from sites such as Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference and Evolving Hockey. During the 2019-2020 season with the Calgary Hitmen, he had 39 assists and seven goals across 64 games. His physical ratings are good with an 83 in aggressiveness, body checking, and strength. He and his teammates also struggled defensively, giving up the third-highest, (33.4) and sixth-most goals-against per game (3.34). The Golden Knights' patience in developing Theodore's game is paying off. 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. 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. 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. Keith, Chara, and (at least from what I remember then) Doughty could fill the shutdown description. Esa Lindell and John Klingberg were the Dallas Stars' best defense pairing prior to this season. Sean Gentille:Dont let the multiple elements in play here confuse you; each teams respective goal is obvious. Adam Fox, New York Rangers. 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. Josh Morrissey, WPG6. 1 on 14 of the 20 ballots. (0.93) ranked second among defensemen with at least 100 games played. 2022-23 Mayfield 2022-23 Pulock 2022-23 Forsling 2022-23 Staal 2022 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. Shea Theodore, VGK17. This perk will increase the player's Shot Blocking, Def. Team: New Jersey DevilsAge: 21Position: Left DefenseType: Defensive DefensemanShoots: LeftContract: $0.795M, 2 Years Left, Two-WayBest Attributes: 87 Slap Shot Power, 85 Balance, 85 Durability. Mike Matheson, MTL44. NHL Defensemen Scoring Leaders 20222023 1 2 3 4 5 6 OverallTime on IceGoalsAssistsPointsper 60per GameShotsDefensiveFaceoffs NHL defenseman stats A model of consistency, the 6'3", 215-pound Carlson has reached or exceeded 32 points in 10 of his 12 NHL seasons. He also checks the boxes on the physical end. However, the 36-year-old'spoint-per-gameproduction (0.59) over the past two seasons slid to 24th among NHL blueliners. However, the offensive-minded Klingberg now skates alongside offseason acquisition Ryan Suter. The 26-year-old rearguard netted 46 points in 71 games in 2019-20 and 42 points in 53 games last season. The 67 Bahl may prove to become a dominant force for your franchise, as imposing as his height would suggest. His puck skills and senses are even lower, but focus on one area at a time. This page will look at the best young up-and-coming defensive defensemen in NHL 22, with names like 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 has been on the plus side of puck possession in eight straight seasons. Since last season, he's secondamong Rangers skaters in short-handed ice time per game (2:31) and inhits with 104. Continue reading this article and more from top writers, for only $9.99/mo. He's also tied for second among the Stars in takeaways with 22 and sits fourth with 65 blocked shots. Do you agree or disagree with our selections? The physical blueliner is also their leader with 96 blocked shots and 52 takeaways, and he's second in hits with 136. 1 power-play also was included in the deal. Miro Heiskanen, DAL16. Now 30, the long-time Lightning rearguard shows no sign of slowing down. Tyson Barrie, NSH40. This Specialty is a great choice for defensemen, as stretch passes can be vulnerable to interception by the opposing team. As a sniper, if he has the puck, he will most likely accomplish his task, whether that be a pass or a shot. "That means you're playing all the power-play minutes but also have to have the ability to play against the opponents' top lines. Its another trade where the outcome for Nashville will ultimately be determined by whether it can make those draft picks count. 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. With his team off to stumbling start to this season, New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz separated his top defensive pairing of Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock by moving the latter to the second pairing to skate alongside Zdeno Chara. Victor Hedman, TBL11. Playing a major role in those accomplishments was Victor Hedman, whofinished tied for thirdamong NHL defensemen last season with 45 points. He has also worked as a ghostwriter, but by definition, he can't prove it. 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. It will also decrease the player's Wrist Shot Power and Puck Control by 4 and 2 points. His physical skills could improve a little. Awareness while on the penalty kill. Hes not flashy. 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.". by But there is one stat he scrutinizes: How much they play, and how good they are after playing a ton of minutes. 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. Samuel Bolduc could prove to be a steal for your franchise should you develop him appropriately. 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. 10 Best Perks For Defensemen In NHL 21. Gustav Forsling, FLA41. Despite missing time because of injuries throughout his career, the 34-year-old, among NHL blueliners since his debut, with 582 in 853 games. 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. Your email address will not be published. (Photo: Danny Murphy / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the "NHL Fantasy on Ice"podcast. The 24-year-old Werenski is a skilled and mobile blueliner, tallying 47 points as a rookie in 2016-17. Awareness boost also helps the user pick up loose pucks after a blocked shot. The previous season, he split time between the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and the Sherbrooke Phoenix. That suggests he still has some productive seasons left in him. Advertisement. 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. A gifted puck-handler who uses his skills well at both ends of the ice, the 23-year-old netted 44 points in as many games last season. 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. The 23-year-old McAvoy rose in just four seasons to become the Bruins' top defenseman. He followed that up by becoming a finalist last season for theJames Norris Memorial Trophy. Zdeno Chara's departure last winter via free agency left the Bruins without a regular defense partner for rising star Charlie McAvoy. Erik Gustafsson, TOR20. 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. His awareness is only a 77, and both shot blocking and stick checking are 80. It will also decrease the player's Wrist Shot Accuracy, Slap Shot Accuracy, and Deking by 2, 2, and 3 points. He also has an 89 in hand-eye, puck control, and slap shot power with the other three shooting ratings at 88. An impressive rookie campaign earned the Colorado Avalanche defenseman theCalder Memorial Trophyin 2019-20. Theyre blowing things up. The second version of this perk will reduce the player's Def. No need to worry about 6 7 PFs with 88 puck control and balance skating circles in your zone. Predators retain four percent of Ekholm remaining cap hit/salary, Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 28, 2023. He and his teammates also struggled defensively, giving up the third-highestshots-against per game(33.4) and sixth-most goals-against per game (3.34). Age: 29Rating: 86Position: CenterType: PlaymakerTeam: Washington CapitalsShoots: LeftBest Attributes: 93 Acceleration, 93 Agility, 93 Speed. Through 15 NHL seasons, Kris Letang has been a mainstay on the Pittsburgh Penguins blue line. 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. 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. Since 2013-14, he's come into his own as an offensive blueliner. The former MVP and two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion had 52 assists and 33 goals over 68 games during the 2019-20 first championship season, adding 27 assists and seven goals over 25 playoff games. The East is an arms race, sure, but theres a whole other side of the playoff bracket. Pairing Ellis with Provorov should give the Flyers one of this season's top defensive duos. Cale Makar Colorado Avalanche. 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 NHL 21 Hockey video game Sports video game Gaming . Eight-year veteran Evegeny Kuznetsov still exhibits his fast legs even at 29 years of age, with a 93 in acceleration, agility, and speed. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. 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. The below table lists all of the best young defensive defensemen in NHL 22. The second version of this perk reduces the player's Passing and Puck Control accuracy by 3 and 4 points, and defensemen need accurate shots less than they'll need to make plays with the puck on their stick. The 24-year-old Werenski is a skilled and mobile blueliner, tallying 47 points as a rookie in 2016-17. The Philadelphia Flyers missed the 2021 NHL playoffs due in part to the lack of a solid right-side defenseman to partner with Ivan Provorov on their top pairing. 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. 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. And they did this by giving up a decent prospect in Reid Schafer plus a first- and a fourth-round draft choice. He might not be posting 70- or 80-point seasons anymore, but Erik Our survey respondents agreed that Hedman is, at the very least, the best defenseman in the world. McDavid rates as the fastest player in the game with a 96 speed score, having a 96 in all three speed categories. 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 became a key cog in their offensive attack last season, especially on. WebAt Odds Shark, we rank the best defensive teams in the NHL in several important handicapping categories. He could move up among the elite puck-movers with a strong outing in 2021-22. His plus-98 places him firmly at No. He can use improvement in all aspects, particularly puck skills and defense. 1 in that span, ahead of Zdeno Chara (+82). Signed to a new. Like Kukkonen, Bryce Montgomery will take time and patience to develop for your franchise. The first version of this perk will reduce the player's Balance by 4 points instead of Wrist Shot Power, and Balance is more important for defensemen to make sure they're not knocked off the puck in their zone. The 30-year-old Barrie's offensive skills put him seventhamong NHL defensemensince 2013-14 with 381 career points. His shot power for both is a 92 with his wrist shot accuracy edging his slap shot accuracy 93 to 90. Yes, he has a big contract that goes for a while and hes up there in age, but McDavid doesnt care, its about winning right now in Edmonton. Oilers get: Defenseman Mattias Ekholm (4 percent of salary retained by the Predators ), 2024 sixth-round pick. He was ranked No. He is a ridiculously talented player. Target Slapper will allow the user to shoot slap shots with more accuracy and power. The Colorado Avalanche began this season with Devon Toews sidelined by offseason shoulder surgery. He's also the leader in power-play points (106) during that period. 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. On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to thank Jakob for Thanks to his powerful shot, he sits fourth among all rearguards with 94 total goals. He controls play in his own zone as a defensive stopper. He said the best of the best play instinctually, like he did. Team: Washington CapitalsAge: 21Position: Left DefenseType: Defensive DefensemanShoots: LeftContract: $0.790M, 2 Years Left, Two-WayBest Attributes: 87 Balance, 87 Wrist Shot Power, 87 Strength. The 23-year-olds will be crucial to the club's push for a playoff berth this season. But that wasnt nearly enough to squeeze in Ekholm which is why Tyson Barrie, the quarterback of the Oilers No. Entering his third NHL season, the 21-year-old should continue to shine as one of the league's best-scoring defensemen. 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. Ekholm was finally getting paid for a decade of quiet, effective service to the Preds. 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. 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. Some are established veterans, while others are young blueliners rising quickly among the ranks of the game's elite puck-moving rearguards. A two-time Norris Trophy winner, Karlsson netted at least 62 points six times in his 12 NHL seasons. Where he could improve is on the defensive end, particularly since he plays a defensive position. 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. Playing a major role in those accomplishments was Victor Hedman, who. Nevertheless, he. A return to his 40-point form this season could ensure a hefty raise as well as maintain his place among the league's elite offensive defensemen. He followed that up by becoming a finalist last season for the, Only 22, Makar possesses the speed and offensive skills of a more seasoned NHL veteran. The 6'6", 241-pound Hedman is the complete package of size and overall skills. 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? 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. His three highlighted attributes are his best, which should help keep him on the ice. A skilled, young defenseman with considerable offensive ability, Quinn Hughes' 53-point performance in 2019-20 made him a finalist for theCalder Memorial Trophy. Esa Lindell and John Klingberg were the Dallas Stars' best defense pairing prior to this season. Eight of his goals and 17 of his assists were on the power play. He's been a Norris Trophy finalist in four straight seasons, winning the award in 2017-18 for the first and only time. With Lukko last season, he had nine assists and a goal over 51 games, while the previous season, he had two assists over 19 games. Given his youth, impressive mobility and play-making abilities, more Norris Trophies could be sitting on his mantel in the near future. There are those, however, who are as renowned for their offensive skills as their defensive ones. In modern hockey, it is imperative to have speed on your lines, or your team is doomed to failure. In addition to his solid That's the first time he was below 40 points in a season since 2014-15. First, goals allowed is the big one. WebBest 3s Defensive Build . Lindgren is also fourth at even-strength time per contest (17:16) and in blocked shots with 66. The 2013 first overall draft pick and Calder Memorial Trophy winner had 45 assists and 20 goals in 48 games during the 2020-21 season. Kucherov is in rather that Pastrnak as Kucherov has a higher overall rating, but both are fine as they have the same speed score. Now the Rangers' undisputed top blueliner, Fox will face considerable pressure to follow up last season's impressive performance. Alex Pietrangelo, VGK33. 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. His puck skills need a lot of work, too, but that can be saved for later. Maintaining an elite defensive pairing can mean the difference between a contender and a pretender. It will also decrease the player's Wrist Shot Accuracy and Slap Shot Accuracy by 4 and 3 points. He has great offensive skills and instincts, but hes an undersized one-way defenseman who doesnt defend that well. Bahls non-balance skate skills all fall below 80, albeit only slightly. He is a tall, mobile, intelligent defender who provides value at both ends of the ice. Charlie McAvoy, BOS9. Instead, his speed is lower at 92 while his agility is higher at 94, with acceleration at 93. This is a great Specialtythat gives a boost to some of thevery bestdefensive attributes when a defenseman will need them the most. However, his output fell to just 27 points in 56 games last season, the lowest since his 12-point performance in 2007-08. They could become a playoff contender if he maintains his usual level of production with his new teammates. Age: 25Rating: 91Position: Right WingType: SniperTeam: Boston BruinsShoots: RightBest Attributes: 95 Passing, 95 Off. Press J to jump to the feed. For forwards, the search parameters were having a minimum of 91 in speed and acceleration with an 87 in agility. Aaron Ekblad, FLA47. Hes an ideal short-term piece with a problematic short-term contract ($6.25 million AAV for three seasons after this one). 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. As a sophomore, he tallied 44 points in as many games. Whether its Boston, Tampa Bay, Toronto, the Rangers, the Devils theyre going to have to play someone from the Western Conference. 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. Brent Burns, CAR10. Miro Heiskanen is only 21-years-old but has already made a big impact in the NHL as an integral defenseman for the Dallas Stars Stanley Cup Final run in 2020. Carve your path to superstardom in an expanded Be A Pro mode and go down as one of the leagues greatest. Woos lines from last season with the Utica Comets saw him register three goals and two assists across 28 games. You will need patience, but it will pay off. The 27-year-old all-around rearguard led the club in time on ice per game (24:46); tied with Makar and Mikko Rantanen for most takeaways with 32; finished second in short-handed ice time per game (3:06) and blocked shots (87); and was third in scoring among Avs defensemen with a career-best 31 points. It's his offensive prowess, however, that draws the most attention. 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. 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. Tj Brodie is great but he's certainly not a shut down defensemen, Ahhh yes, Jan Rutta the legendary shutdown defenseman alongside Hedman /s, From our team it is definitely Brodin and Spurgeon, Suter is still solid too. 1 earned 10 points, No. The 24-year-old Flyers rearguard reached or exceeded 26 points in each of his five previous NHL campaigns. The Oilers have previously been linked to a series of skilled mostly offensive defencemen Erik Karlsson and John Klingberg, to name just two. 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. But I just got back to dv1 and the elite badge players are playing the same l2 game and there's nothing wrong with that adding l2 into your game is a really useful skill. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. That was the beginning of seven straight seasons with 40-plus points, including a career-high 65 during his Norris Trophy campaign. Jett Woo, former second round pick of Vancouver, finds himself atop this list thanks to his Top 4 D Med potential grade. At the bottom of the page, you will find a list of the best young offensive defensemen in NHL 22. 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. among Canucks regular-season scorers and third with 16 points in postseason scoring. 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. The season before with Cushing Academy, a prep school, he had seven assists in 33 games. 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. They've since moved up to become the Blueshirts' top defensive pairing. Rasmus Andersson, CGY29. The surveys were conducted over the past two months. Josi made his NHL debut in 2011-12 but came into his own as a point producer in 2013-14 with a 40-point performance. production (0.59) over the past two seasons slid to 24th among NHL blueliners. 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. among defensemen with 600 points since his NHL debut in 2006-07. Paired together since 2019-20, they've swiftly emerged among the league's best blue-line tandems. Karlsson prevented goals because he always had the puck. Evan Bouchard, EDM (NEW)37. Hes a fan of the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. Since 2014-15, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been the NHL's top franchise. In just two seasons, Adam Fox has joined the ranks of the NHL's elite defensemen. Look at who gets paired with Norris nominees. Individual awards, experience and performance were among the items that factored into this ranking. In other words, they didnt sacrifice either Evan Bouchard or Philip Broberg in the deal, two of their better young defensemen. Stretch passes are long passes from the defensive zone into the neutral zone. The Predators listened on Ekholm, but ultimately decided he had more value to them going forward. Awareness, 93 Speed, 96 Deking, 95 Off. Being down a man on the ice is when a defender's abilities to neutralize opposing attackers and help out the goalie will be called upon more than any other. Josh 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. The players chosen for this list are all 21 and younger and chosen based on the grade in potential. This year is the first year of that extension, which changed the arithmetic as it related to Ekholm as a trade chip this time around. Where he could use improvement are his senses and puck skills. WebBUY NHL 21 Recognize Greatness. That led to Miro Heiskanen becoming Lindell's partner. This page will look at the best young up-and-coming defensive defensemen in NHL 22, with names like Jett Woo, Kevin Bahl, and Bryce Montgomery all making an appearance. He has a 95 in deking, passing, puck control, offensive awareness, and wrist shot accuracy. The 31-year-old's point-per-game production (0.56) declined over the past two seasons to 29th among all rearguards as the Kings rebuilt with younger talent. He's fifth in total points (94) over the, and has yet to reach his playing prime. Fox is a talented all-around defenseman, logging ateam-leading24:42 of ice time per game and 102blocked shotswhile finishing second with 38 takeaways last season. Last season for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, he had eight assists and six goals over 24 games. Poke checking isn't typically the most effective method of defending in NHL 21, as it makes the user highly susceptible to tripping penalties if not executed properly. Lighting defensemen Victor Hedman tops this list, as he received a 91 OVR rating from the NHL team. Yes that is true the poke checks are OP. The Wild defender has been one of the leagues best defensive players for a while now. While his durability of 85 is fine, his other physical skills need improvement if he is going to make an impact. An impressive rookie campaign earned the Colorado Avalanche defenseman the, in 2019-20. Aseason-ending injurylimited him to 20 points in 35 games last season. Brodin is especially shut down exclusive, so often gets missed. Only 22, Makar possesses the speed and offensive skills of a more seasoned NHL veteran. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Nashville also retained 4 percent of the contract, according to Pierre LeBrun. His highest ratings come in deking and discipline, both of which sit at 95. 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.". Weegar emerged from Ekblad's shadow last season, netting a career-high 36 points in 54 games. With Binghamton in 27 games, he had four assists and one goal. 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. Mattias Ekholm, EDM (NEW)38. Eric Duhatschek:It was only two years ago when the Nashville Predators Mattias Ekholm was at or near the top of everybodys trade board heading into the 2021 NHL trade deadline. 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. "I've seen players where their ice time goes up and their performance declines. Hampus Lindholm, BOS18. The list of defenders in NHL history with two Norris Trophies and a Conn Smythe Trophy includes only Bobby Orr, Larry Robinson, Brian Leetch, Nicklas Lidstrom Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, John Klingberg wasted little time establishing himself among the NHL's scoring defensemen, tallying 40 points in 65 games in 2014-15. 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. But Hedman wasnt the only His stats with the Predators over the past five seasons back this up.