The Irrefutable Top 5 Defensemen in the NHL Right Now
No. 4 — MacKenzie Weegar (Florida Panthers)
Not only does he rock a great mustache, but MacKenzie Weegar is also easily one of the brightest up-and-coming defensemen in the NHL today. The stay-at-home defender makes his money by locking down the opposing team’s best skaters, night-in, night-out.
At 28-years old, Weegar is a late bloomer after being drafted in the 7th Round (206th overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft, but it’s what gives him a chip on his shoulder being an underdog. When we watch the Florida Panthers play, we often see Aaron Ekblad buzzing on the ice, however, the only reason he has this luxury is that Weegar is the ultimate safety net. He’s always in the right place at the right time and makes the small plays that result in big opportunities.
Through 44-games played, the defensive defenseman has 3 goals and 22 assists while maintaining a rocking +20 plus/minus. As impressive as these numbers are, they’re not representing his true impact.
Among all blue-liners in the NHL, few are more consistent in disrupting opportunities for the opposition. MacKenzie Weegar uses his sturdy 6’0″ – 200 lbs frame to get in the shooting lanes, blocking 5.40 shots per 60 minutes of play, with a total of 94 thus far on the year. Additionally, he ranks second in takeaways with 57, averaging 3.27 per 60 minutes.
When talking about what makes an elite defenseman in the NHL, you have to consider the impact that the skater has on both ends of the ice. MacKenzie Weegar has solidified his role as one of the top defenders in the NHL today due to his incredible 200 ft. game.
No. 3 — Adam Fox (New York Rangers)
Aside from Ryan McDonough, the New York Rangers have been without a true superstar on the back end for quite some time, however, with the emergence of Adam Fox, they no longer have to keep searching.
Adam Fox will without a doubt be a marquise defenseman in the NHL for a long time. It would be little to no surprise if he’s still that dude ten years from now. That’s how talented this kid is. At just 23-years old, Fox has become a fearsome threat from the point.
The 2021-22 NHL season marks the third consecutive year in which Fox has tallied 40+ points (and he’s only been in the league for three years). In a shortened season due to COVID-19 a year ago, he notched 5 goals and 42 assists in 55-games played. That season he had five more points in 15 fewer games than his rookie year. Of course, because of this offensive output, Adam Fox was awarded the Norris Trophy, and he’s on pace to do it again.
Now, with 44-games played in red, white, and blue, the ‘Jersey native has tallied 7 goals and 40 assists, already tying his career-high in points, and there’s still half of the season left to be played.
Though Fox’s best play is in the offensive zone, his willingness to get in the shooting lanes and stand up elite forwards off the rush cement him as a top-three defender in the NHL today. For someone who has yet to even enter his prime, one could only imagine what this kid will accomplish in the future.
No. 2 — Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
Forget about defense, Cale Makar, of the Colorado Avalanche, is without a doubt one of the best players in the NHL today. His poise and skillset make your jaw drop every shift he’s on the ice. Few human beings could do what he can with the puck on his stick.
These are the only stats you need to know about Makar: 139 career games played, 38 goals, 99 assists. His offensive productivity surpasses some of the top forwards in the NHL, and he’s only getting better. Averaging 0.99 points per game, he’s on a greater scoring pace than legendary blue-liners Ray Bourque (0.98), Al MacInnis (0.90), Brian Leetch (0.85).
There’s no question that if he can maintain his health, Cale Makar will become the all-time leader in points for a defenseman in Colorado (Tyson Barrie — 309 points). At just 23-years old, the 4th overall selection in the 2017 NHL Draft as a future so bright it’s blinding.
With some improvements on his overall 200 ft game, we’ll see if he can become the consensus number one defenseman in the league. Until then, however, that title belongs to someone else.
No. 1 – Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Alas, we reach the undisputed, irrefutable, unquestionable number one defenseman in the NHL, Victor Hedman. He dominates the 200 ft game, he has incredible mobility despite such a heft frame, and he can deliver bone-crushing hits.
Hedman is the ideal defenseman. He’s perfect. Everyone knows when he’s on the ice, and there’s only so much you can do to limit his impact in a game. He joins the rush and he shuts downplays going the other way.
Standing at 6’6″ – 245 lbs, you would think that his speed would suffer due to such a colossal size, however, that’s simply not the case. Victor Hedman can skate stride for stride with some of the fastest players in the game today and he’s not afraid to use said speed when he has an open lane.
It takes unbelievable skill to be able to play with physicality and finesse in the game of hockey. The best example of this kind of player is Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. Victor Hedman is another guy who doesn’t fall too far from the tree. The players who can achieve elite performance on the ice playing both styles of hockey are the ones you see atop the league in scoring every year.
Since 2013, Hedman has had just one season in which he didn’t register 40+ points in a season. In that same time frame, he’s been awarded the Norris (2017-18), two Stanley Cups (2019-20, 2020-21), and a Conn Smythe Trophy (2019-20). There’s no other way to say it, Victor Hedman is the best defenseman in the world.