NHL Top 25 Defenseman Under 25 Years of Age
By Ryan Ritchie
Oct 15, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Cody Ceci (5) skates with the puck against pressure from Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Top 25 Defenseman Under 25 Years of Age
25. Brayden McNabb, Los Angeles Kings (24 years old)
His journey to the NHL took a little while, but he emerged on the Kings blue-line last season with 24 points. He only has one point in five games to begin the new season, and has been the benefactor of being paired up alongside Drew Doughty.
24.Cody Ceci, Ottawa Senators (21 years old)
6’3 209lbs high hockey IQ defenseman who continues to get better on both sides of the puck. He had 21 points in 81 games with Ottawa in 2014-15. More responsibility and ice-time in 2015-16 should make duplicating last season’s point total fairly easy.
23.Noah Hanifin, Carolina Hurricanes (18 years old)
Third overall draft pick at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft sealed a spot with Carolina out of training camp. Currently partnered up with Ryan Murphy, Hanifin has one point in six games with the Canes. These teenagers on defense are prone to rookie mistakes, but he’s a talented young man that’s a top-notch prospect.
Nov 29, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen Olli Maatta (3) skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
22.Olli Maatta, Pittsburgh Penguins (21 years old)
Taken 22nd overall in 2012, Maatta is a promising young blue-liner that burst onto the scene his rookie season in 2013-14 with 29 points in 78 games. He missed most of 2014-15 due to injury but scored nine points in 20 games. With the Penguins weak blue-line, and Derrick Pouliot unable to make the team out of training camp, Maatta will need to step up in a big way in 2015-16. He has one point in seven games so far.
21.Oscar Klefbom, Edmonton Oilers (22 years old)
Drafted 19th overall in 2011 in a pick acquired from a trade that sent Dustin Penner to Los Angeles. Klefbom impressed Oilers management in 2014-15 with 20 points in 60 games, and inked himself a 7-year extension just prior to the 2015-16 season. He currently has two points in seven games.
20.Cam Fowler, Anaheim Ducks (23 years old)
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. He has one goal in six games to begin the new season.
19.Adam Larsson, New Jersey Devils (22 years old)
Taken in the first round 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, having 24 points in 64 games to show for it. Turning into one of the Devils key defenders in 2015-16, Larsson has two points in seven games.
Oct 1, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (25) looks for a pass during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild won 6-1 over the Sabres. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
18.Jonas Brodin, Minnesota Wild (22 years old)
A solid two-way defender better known for what he does in his own end. Brodin is coming off a 17 point season where he managed to accumulate a +21 rating. Paired up with Matt Dumba to start 2015-16, the pair have drawn some criticism for their play already. But the season is early, and both of these skilled defenseman will find themselves.
17.Nick Leddy, New York Islanders (24 years old)
One of two trade steals by GM Garth Snow (other being Johnny Boychuk), that made the Islanders instantaneously better on the blue-line in 2014-15. The former Cup winner with Chicago appeared in 78 games for the Islanders last season scoring 37 points. He also added five points in seven playoff games. Leddy has been silent to begin 2015-16 with zero points in six games so far.
16.Ryan Murray, Columbus Blue Jackets (22 years old)
The second overall pick of 2012 has dealt with injuries his first couple seasons ,and missed 70 games in 2014-15. He’s highly regarded as the Blue Jackets best defenseman, but there’s obviously going to be growing pains as with any young defenseman. Turnovers have been an issue early into 2015-16, but the ceiling is high for this young man.
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