You remember the old saying. You know, when you’d all gather in your grandfather’s den, sit on the rug, and wait for him to sprinkle some hockey wisdom that would expand your understanding of the greatest game in the world.
Grandpa would lean forward, clear his throat, and wipe the rogue peanut from his cardigan sweater.
“The team with the second-best defenseman is the best team in the NHL.”
Wait, did this not happen to you? Did Gramps not inspire deep dives into roster construction with one line about blueline depth?
Look. It’s no secret that good teams have good players. You’re not going to blow anyone away with that take. But the specificity of the “second-best defenseman” theory might just be onto something. (Shoutout, Grandpa.)
Yes, there are rosters where all the defenders are pretty good. Maybe that is evident in New Jersey, where young risers like Like Hughes and Simon Nemec are insulated by Brett Pesce, Dougie Hamilton, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Brenden Dillon.
Some bluelines have a high end 1A, like Roman Josi in Nashville, who is surrounded by a cast of “ok, they’re fine, buts” like Brady Skjei, Nicolas Hague, and Nick Perbix.
And, of course, some teams have no business in the conversation. Check back in next year, Chicago and San Jose.
But, Grandpa might just have a future in the General Manager meetings. Lists are subjective, of course, but let’s take a look at the best #2 defenders in the game.
1. Devon Toews - Colorado Avalanche
(#1 - Cale Makar)
I hear you already…”he is playing next to the best defenseman on the planet,” or “anyone would look good next to Makar.” You’re right. But not this good. Toews is an elite positional defender, moves the puck with speed, and has the underlying numbers that give Colorado the best #2 in the NHL.
2. Aaron Ekblad - Florida Panthers
(#1 - Gustav Forsling)
It is some kind of luxury to have a number one overall pick, franchise mainstay, and physical beast as your franchise’s second best defender. Gustav Forsling has elevated his role every year, making Ekblad a tremendous second option on the blueline.
3. Brock Faber - Minnesota Wild
(#1 - Quinn Hughes)
The most recent addition to this list. That tends to happen when your team adds Quinn Hughes to the roster. Faber had a coming-out party at the 4 Nations Faceoff, proving his mettle in a shutdown role alongside Jaccob Slavin. Oh, and he is just 23 years old.
4. Thomas Harley - Dallas Stars
(#1 - Miro Heiskanen)
Speaking of coming-out parties at the 4 Nations Faceoff. Thomas Harley let the hockey world know what those in Texas already knew; there is an elite blueliner developing on the Stars backend. Harley isn’t ultra-physical, but he is long, smooth, and calm. A luxury for Jim Nill and the Stars.
5. Noah Hanifin - Vegas Golden Knights
(#1 - Shea Theodore)
Shea Theodore might have been pushing Devon Toews for top-spot on this list, until Alex Pietrangelo was forced out for the season (or longer) with a hip injury. But, in true Vegas fashion, they were (somehow and frustratingly) ready. Noah Hanifin is a minute-eating, steady, stalwart for a Knights team looking to get back to the Cup.
Well, huh. Gramps. When you zoom out and look at this top-five, and cross-examine it with the teams that seem most likely to chase a Stanley Cup, there are some stark similarities. Florida’s current success is dulled by a missing Barkov and Tkachuk, while the Wild haven’t yet integrated Hughes, but the list is telling.
But this wouldn’t be an internet list unless a frustrated Rangers fan could argue with a grumpy Flyers loyalist about their places on these scientific rankings, or a reader could inform me my 22nd and 23rd ranked #2 defensemen should be swapped.
So, here goes.
6. Thomas Chabot - Ottawa Senators
7. John Carlson - Washington Capitals
8. Mattias Ekholm - Edmonton Oilers
9. Chris Tanev - Toronto Maple Leafs
10. Vince Dunn - Seattle Kraken
11. Rasmus Andersson - Calgary Flames
12. Lane Hutson - Montreal Canadiens
13, Erik Cernak - Tampa Bay Lightning
14. K’Andre Miller - Carolina Hurricanes
15. Owen Power - Buffalo Sabres
16. Hampus Lindholm - Boston Bruins
17. Simon Edvinsson - Detroit Red Wings
18. Ivan Provorov - Columbus Blue Jackets
19. Adam Pelech - New York Islanders
20. Brandt Clarke - Los Angeles Kings
21. Jonas Siegenthaler - New Jersey Devils
22. Brady Skjei - Nashville Predators
23. Jacob Trouba - Anaheim Ducks
24. Vladislav Gavrikov - New York Rangers
25. Neal Pionk - Winnipeg Jets
26. Kris Letang - Pittsburgh Penguins
27. Cam York - Philadelphia Flyers
28. Justin Faulk - St. Louis Blues
29. Marcus Pettersson - Vancouver Canucks
30. John Marino - Utah Mammoth
31. Mario Ferraro - San Jose Sharks
32. Artyom Levshunov - Chicago Blackhawks