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The Irrefutable Top 5 Defensemen in the NHL Right Now

By Brendan Semon

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 08: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on December 08, 2021 in New York City. The Avalanche defeated the Rangers 7-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 08: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on December 08, 2021 in New York City. The Avalanche defeated the Rangers 7-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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What does it take to be one of the best defensemen in the NHL? Is it the number of points you score on offense, or is it the ability to shut down the opposing team’s best players?  The simple answer is it’s both.

Some guys are legitimate top-pair blue-liners, but then there is the prototypical model of what a perfect defender should be. While there are dozens of names that you could be considered as a top defenseman in the NHL today, there are only five who truly stand out from the rest. Let’s roll out the red carpet for the players who crack this elite list.

Breaking down which skaters rank as the top 5 defensemen in the NHL right now.

No. 5 — Aaron Ekblad (Florida Panthers)

Coming in at number five on the list is the first overall draft pick in 2014, Aaron Ekblad. He may not be the flashiest defenseman in the NHL, but when you’re as sound as he is on both ends of the ice, you don’t need to be.

In the 2021-22 NHL season, Ekblad has been on an astounding scoring pace as he has totaled 10 goals and 29 assists in 43-games played, which ranks as the fifth-most points in the league for a defenseman. While the Windsor, Ontario native has showcased impressive playmaking abilities this season, it’s not even the biggest reason as to why he’s the fifth-best defender in the NHL right now.

The 6’4″ – 215 skater has made his living by playing defensively sound hockey and limiting scoring chances and opportunities by the opposing team. His mobility and skill set allows him to join the rush and serve as a threat in the offensive zone, while his defense-first mentality prevents him from giving up odd-man rushes the other way.

Using the advanced statistical metric of the Corsi score, Aaron Ekblad ranks the highest among all defensemen on 5 vs. 5 play with a Crosi±/60 of 18.41. In other words, this number represents that when he’s on the ice, his team tends to perform at a higher level in the offensive zone and generate more opportunities while giving up very few.

When you have skaters on offense like Sasha Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau, it can be easy to disappear in their shadows, however, when Ekblad is on the ice, there is a noticeable shift in their control of the ice for their benefit. Sitting 9 points shy of his career-high in a season, Aaron Ekblad is on pace to have a truly special season that warrants Norris conversations.

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