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

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5. Rasmus Ristolainen, Buffalo Sabres (21 years old) 1994-10-27

Jan 22, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (55) and Detroit Red Wings center Luke Glendening (41) look for the puck during the third period at First Niagara Center. Detroit beats Buffalo 3 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

One of the best defensemen of his age group, Ristolainen was a top-prospect for the 2013 NHL Draft. He is a calm player with good two-way ability and a mature style of play, though his defensive awareness and positioning still need work. Ristolainen moves the puck with confidence, has a good shot from the point and has displayed ability to work the powerplay. Ristolainen has a big frame and gained a lot of strength while playing in SM-liiga and though he is not a big-time hitter, he feels comfortable playing the body and likes to get physical in front of the net. [Matias Strozyk]

Now, at 6’4 207lbs, Ristolainen is quickly developing into one of the NHL’s most promising young defenseman. Selected 8th overall back in 2013 from TPS Turku in Finland’s SM Liiga, Ristolainen split time between Rochester and Buffalo as an 18-year-old. He had four points in 34 games with Buffalo, while adding 20 points in 34 games with Rochester. Rasmus also tallied a pair of helpers in five AHL playoff games.

2014-15 marked his first full NHL season, racking up 20 points in 78 games. His points-per-game continue to increase in 2015-16, now with 35 points in 60 games so far.

4. John Klingberg, Dallas Stars (23 years old) 1992-08-14

Feb 15, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3) skates with the puck in overtime against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The Stars won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

An offensive-minded defenseman, Klingberg skates well and is very mobile. Has terrific puck skills and excels on the powerplay. Oozes hockey sense. Loves to join the attack and act as a fourth forward.
Needs to add more muscle strength and experience. Should play it a bit safer at times. Needs to shoot more. [Elite Prospects]

Selected in the 5th round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, John Klingberg is quickly making a name for himself after an incredible rookie season. He spent four and a half years bouncing around from the Swedish Elite League, to Finnish Elite League, and AHL Texas.

He actually opened the 2014-15 season playing for Texas producing 12 points in 10 games, before forcing Dallas to give him a look. He quickly emerged as the Stars best defender, putting up 40 games in 65 games as a rookie, outscoring fellow Calder Trophy winner Aaron Ekblad by one point. Klingberg has more offensive upside than Ekblad, but will likely never be as strong on both sides of the puck.

After starting the 2015-16 scoring at a point-per-game pace through the first 20 or so games, his pace has since slowed. Klingberg still has 51 points in 65 games this season. If you watch him closely, he actually shows glimpses of fellow Swede Erik Karlsson. He certainly has Norris Trophy potential.

3. Justin Faulk, Carolina Hurricanes (23 years old) 1992-03-20

Feb 7, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk (27) plays the puck against Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Flynn (32) during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

Faulk, typical of many of the defensemen trained in the US development program, is an offensive defenseman who is very comfortable with the puck. He possesses a big shot from the point. Despite a stokcy build, he is agile on his skates. Faulk is physically strong and likes to play a physical game, though he can be a bit more disciplined in terms of taking penalties. A quick learner and very coachable, Faulk understands the game well but continues to strive to improve. [Hockey’s Future]

2. Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers (20 years old) 1996-02-07

Feb 12, 2016; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) skates with the puck in the first period against the St. Louis Blues in the first period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /

Ekblad has the complete package of size, skating ability and stick handling and passing skill with a maturity beyond his years. He sees the ice well and is adept at defending in his own end while making the players around him better.

Ekblad made the jump directly from junior hockey to the NHL in 2014-15 as an 18-year-old and has averaged over 22 minutes of ice time a night for the Panthers as a rookie. Long-term he is expected to be a fixture in the Florida lineup and should only improve as he matures physically, continues to develop his skill set and becomes more familiar with the game at the NHL level. [Hockey’s Future]

Regarded as the most NHL ready defenseman leading up to the 2014 NHL Draft, Florida selected Ekblad 1st overall. Aaron is the whole package, impressive offensive instincts combined with shut-down defensive abilities. It’s no surprise he walked away with the Calder Trophy last season. He’s a physical force on the blue-line with excellent gap control.

In 2014-15, Aaron had 39 points for Florida with a +12 on a non-playoff team, often being praised for, “looking like a poised veteran defenseman” in his rookie season. So far in 2015-16, he has 24 points in 55 games – showing no signs of a sophomore slump. Aaron Ekblad has already emerged as one of the game’s top young blueliners and could easily find himself in the Norris Trophy conversation year-after-year for the next decade and a half.

More puck prose: NHL Trade Deadline Tracker: All-Day Coverage

1. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Arizona Coyotes (24 years old) 1991-07-17

Feb 15, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) shoots and scores a goal in the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Ekman-Larsson is a highly skilled defenseman blessed with excellent hockey sense and impressive skating ability. He moves very smoothly and has incredible mobility. Also, he is very skilled with the puck and a capable playmaker with the potential to put up a good amount of points. Very poised and cool with and without the puck and rarely gets caught off guard.

In his own end, he plays it fairly simple with good timing and positioning as well as impressive stick work. He plays the body at times, but not very frequently. Needs to become stronger and add more muscles, which would improve his defensive game even more. [Elite Prospects]

Oliver was taken by Arizona (Phoenix) sixth overall at 2009 NHL Entry Draft out of Leksands IF (Sweden-1 league). His rookie season in 2010-11, time was split between Phoenix and AHL San Antonio. He appeared in 48 games for Phoenix putting up 11 points. In his first full season in 2011-12, Ekman-Larsson put up an impressive 32 points, while adding four points in 16 games during a nice Coyotes playoff run on the shoulders of G Mike Smith.

During the lockout shortened season in 2012-13, Oliver played 20 games for AHL Portland scoring at over a point per game pace with 21. He appeared in all 48 games for Phoenix that season, adding 24 points. In their last season as “Phoenix” in 2013-14, Ekman-Larsson had a career-high 44 points. He followed it up with another solid performance in 2014-15, putting up 43 points for Arizona. Already in 2015-16, he has 46 points in 60 games.

Next: Top 100 Forwards Under 25 Years Old

Oliver Ekman-Larsson is not just the best defenseman under 25 years of age – he has the potential to be one of the best all-around defenseman in the game. He’s only 24, and just like every defenseman in this list will be prone to mistakes on occasion. There’s definitely room for growth on the defensive side, but this young man keeps getting better every year. Don’t be surprised if Ekman-Larsson’s name pops up in Norris Trophy conversations a few times over his career.

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