NHL Player Power Rankings: Top 50 Defensemen Under 25 Years Old

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10. Tyson Barrie, Colorado Avalanche (24 years old) 1991-07-26

Feb 20, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) tries to check Colorado Avalanche defensemen Tyson Barrie (4) during the first period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /

Barrie is a smooth-skating defenseman and a formidable playmaker. Though not especially physical and of modest stature, he is comfortable in his own zone and is blessed with great vision and soft hands. The 2010 WHL Defenseman of the Year is also a natural leader. [Hockey’s Future]

Son of former NHLer Len Barrie, Tyson was selected in the third round at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Barrie has always been an offensive minded defenseman, even rooting back to his days with WHL’s Kelowna Rockets. His second last season with Kelowna, Tyson Barrie had 72 points from the back-end.

After spending time back and forth between the AHL & NHL, he finally played his first full season in 2014-15, appearing in 80 games, adding 53 points. After a slow-start to 2015-16, Barrie is on fire in the second half. He now has 40 points in 58 games.

It’s still unclear whether Tyson Barrie will be in Colorado beyond 2015-16. Set to become a restricted free agent in the summer, latest rumors suggest conversations on a new contract are virtually non-existent. If Colorado is unable to reach an agreement with Barrie, he should garner significant return on the trade market.

9. Adam Larsson, New Jersey Devils (23 years old) 1992-11-12

Jan 19, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Adam Larsson (5) skates with the puck during the third period at Prudential Center. The Devils won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

A highly skilled two-way defenseman. Larsson has a big frame, skates very well and has impressive hockey sense. Furthermore, he passes the puck very well and has an edge to his game, although his physical game could use some fine tuning. He likes to initiate contact. Some slight consistency issues. Overall a very strong player with few weaknesses. Does a good job on the powerplay and is equally valuable in shorthanded situations. [Elite Prospects]

Taken 4th overall at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Larsson was expected to have a bigger impact, much sooner. After a few shaky seasons to begin his career, Larsson took a big step forward in his development in 2014-15, producing 24 points in 64 games. More importantly, he was a plus-two (+2) on one of the NHL’s worst teams.

So far in 2015-16, he’s got 15 points in 61 games with a plus-14 (+14). Larsson has tightened his game up defensively over the past couple seasons, evolving into one of the game’s best two-way defenders.

8. Cam Fowler, Anaheim Ducks (24 years old) 1991-12-05

Feb 16, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks defensemen Korbinian Holzer (5) chases a loose puck in front of defensemen Cam Fowler (4) and Edmonton Oilers forward Taylor Hall (4) during the second period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Fowler is an offensively oriented defenseman in the mold of a Scott Niedermayer. He is an excellent skater and puck handler, and his instincts and hockey sense are as good as any defenseman in his draft class. Fowler isn’t all offense, however, as his play in his own end is usually solid. [Hockey’s Future]

Drafted 12th overall in 2010, Fowler was an unexpected rookie sensation putting up 40 points in 76 games.

He’s yet to match his rookie point total, but is coming off a 34-point campaign in 2014-15. Fowler had struggles to open 2015-16, along with every other Ducks player. He’s since been Anaheim’s best defenseman, showing vast improvements in his defensive game. Cam has 18 points in 45 games so far this season.

7. Torey Krug, Boston Bruins (24 years old) 1991-04-12

Feb 13, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) shoots in the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

An undersized two-way defenseman, Krug can move the puck really well. He’s a terrific skater and has great passing ability. Plays a smart game, but doesn’t shy away from physical battles, and will block shots. [Elite Prospects]

An undrafted free-agent signing in 2012, Torey Krug played for Michigan State University and was named 2012 CCHA Player of the Year – also a Hobey Baker Award finalist.

He spent the entire lockout shortened season with AHL Providence producing 45 points in 63 games. He appeared in one regular season game for the Bruins before playing 15 playoff games, tallying 6 points.

In 2013-14, playing his first full NHL season, Krug appeared in 79 games, adding 40 points. He also had 10 points in 12 playoff games for the Bruins. Last year in 2014-15, Krug scored 39 points in 78 games.

With the departure of Dougie Hamilton, Krug stepped into a larger role in 2015-16, embracing it from day one. He has 28 points in 60 games so far this season.

More puck prose: 2016 World Cup of Hockey: Preview, Projected Rosters

6. Dougie Hamilton, Calgary Flames (22 years old) 1993-06-17

Jan 27, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Dougie Hamilton (27) skates against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Nashville Predators won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Immense, mobile defenseman who excels in all three zones. Born of Olympic bloodlines, Dougie Hamilton’s athleticism shows in his skating, where he has the speed to recover and catch players if he gets beat on a pinch, the mobility to turn and retrieve dump-ins before opposing forecheckers, and the shiftiness to carry the puck and beat defenders one-on-one.

In terms of game play, Hamiton is a strong defender, he has an active stick that he uses to break up players trying to beat him one-on-one and to disrupt passing plays. Reads the play well. Jumps up and joins the rush whenever the opportunity presents and, as a converted winger, is also comfortable carrying the puck and leading the rush. His ability to break up offensive forays combined with his ability to join the attack make him a potent transition threat. He sees the ice well, particularly on the breakout and can recognize both short and long-distance passing options, though he could use some work on his touch when going for distance. In the offensive zone he walks the line well, rotates with forwards, and looks comfortable pursuing the play down low. Has a big point shot and a heavy one-timer that he’s eager to use at the top of the umbrella on the power play. Is highly intelligent both on and off the ice. Also has a burgeoning physical game and shows a penchant for big open ice hits. [Hockey’s Future]

Drafted ninth overall in 2011, Hamilton was the other 1st round pick given up by Toronto in the Phil Kessel deal. Drafted out of OHL Niagara, Dougie was an offensively gifted defenseman in junior. He made his NHL debut during the lockout shortened season, playing 42 games, producing 16 points.

Hamilton started to emerge on Boston’s blueline in 2013-14, increasing his point total to 25 with an astounding +22 rating. He also added seven points in 12 playoff games. In his third year in 2014-15, Dougie scored a career-high 41 points, adding a minus-three (-3) rating during one of Boston’s worst seasons in recent history.

After proclaiming “we didn’t think Dougie would be comfortable in Boston moving forward”, Bruins traded Hamilton last offseason to Calgary. After a slow-start to the 2015-16 season, Dougie is finally settling in with his new team. He has 26 points in 59 games this season.

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