HFBoards Top 25 Defensemen in the NHL - #25

[Skolman]

I’d have him as a higher end #2, in the 35-40 range

Of course you would

 

[Three On Zero]

Of course you would

That’s pretty much where he was in Nashville too, don’t get too excited

 

[tarheelhockey]

Surprised with the Ekholm votes….

For those who have been doing these polls for a while, there has been a lot of complaining about Ekholm not being selected. That’s probably influencing some votes.

 

[Machinehead]

I'm voting for K'Andre Miller because why not at this point?

At least Ekbad didn't make it. It's something, HF.

 

[Shroud of Orrin]

Evan Bouchard has 26 points in 28 career playoff games. His first full two years he’s missed one game and has two 40+ seasons. He has a rocket and will take over PP1 duties full time on the best PP in the league.
I believe he will straighten out his sieve-like D moments enough himself or enough for Ekholm to cover for him and allow him more opportunities to attack. I think he gets 70+ and improves his overall game. It’s obvious he has a huge breakout year coming. Having no competition for the PP and Ekholm beside him for a full year will do wonders for him.

However; I am obviously delusional as his lone voter…

 

[DearDiary]

Evan Bouchard has 26 points in 28 career playoff games. His first full two years he’s missed one game and has two 40+ seasons. He has a rocket and will take over PP1 duties full time on the best PP in the league.
I believe he will straighten out his sieve-like D moments enough himself or enough for Ekholm to cover for him and allow him more opportunities to attack. I think he gets 70+ and improves his overall game. It’s obvious he has a huge breakout year coming. Having no competition for the PP and Ekholm beside him for a full year will do wonders for him.

However; I am obviously delusional as his lone voter…

Might be because he's a powerplay specialist whose ppg in both the regular season/playoffs dropped this season compared to last at ES. So he's declined despite getting more opportunities.

Just looking at this years playoffs, he had 2 points in 12 games at ES and no goals.

 

[Shroud of Orrin]

Might be because he's a powerplay specialist whose ppg in both the regular season/playoffs dropped this season compared to last at ES. So he's declined despite getting more opportunities.

Just looking at this years playoffs, he had 2 points in 12 games at ES and no goals.

OK - that makes perfect sense. Thanks. But - I wouldn’t say he’s a PP specialist in the traditional sense playing what may likely be top pairing minutes. I think he and Ekholm eclipse Nurse and Ceci for TOI this year or at least match them. It will be interesting to see what affect Ekholm has on him at ES for a full year. The potential is nuclear.