NHL Networks top 20 Defensemen

DearDiary

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Aug 29, 2010
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Brentcent Van Burns
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Nov 27, 2009
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It's not atrocious, but Slavin should be a little higher. Homer pick there, but he's also the best defensive player in the league by many metrics and the eye test. If I'm in a playoff game, he is the first player I'd take on my team (if I include goalies I'd probably take Shesterkin or Vasi). It sounds like hyperbole, but he's in his own category defensively.

I'm not sure Burns should be so high at 20, but I can't say I've watched a lot of West Coast games.

It's hard to gauge Seider. I think he can be a top 10 defenseman, but I'm not sure he's at #11 yet. It's hard to evaluate a player on a bad defensive team.

Overall, it's a pretty good list. I gripe about a few players, but I think the majority of these players are at least top 20.
 

Maurice of Orange

13:21 🏒🏒
Feb 5, 2016
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Josi, Rielly, Doughty, Pietrangelo, and Burns are all ridiculously high.
Josi was the leading point scorer for defenseman so he is right where he should be Rielly should be a little higher as he had a good season in 21-22, Doughty spot is debatable since he was injured for most of the season.

Pietrangelo and Burns shouldn’t even be on the top 20.
 

zodiacbiller

Registered User
Sep 7, 2021
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Josi was the leading point scorer for defenseman so he is right where he should be Rielly should be a little higher as he had a good season in 21-22, Doughty spot is debatable since he was injured for most of the season.

Pietrangelo and Burns shouldn’t even be on the top 20.

Points aren't even a good way of judging forwards, and defensemen have a lot less control over their point totals than forwards do. Josi should not be where he is. Rielly is not that good lol. He's not a number one D.
 

Maurice of Orange

13:21 🏒🏒
Feb 5, 2016
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Zach Werenski placing on the top 20 list could also be debated as Seth Jones, Hampus Lindblom, Thomas Chabot and even Noah Dobson could all argue a placing over Werenski.
 

zodiacbiller

Registered User
Sep 7, 2021
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Carlson had a good amount of blocks last season only 9 blocks less then Slavin while putting up a truck load of points at the same time.

Carlson might not be near Slavin defensively but Slavin isn’t no where near Carlson offensively.

Blocks are generally a sign that you spend a lot of time in your own zone, which is not something good players tend to do. Slavin and Carlson are both good, but this is not how I'd make this point lol.
 
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Maurice of Orange

13:21 🏒🏒
Feb 5, 2016
10,795
7,339
Blocks are generally a sign that you spend a lot of time in your own zone, which is not something good players tend to do. Slavin and Carlson are both good, but this is not how I'd make this point lol.
I mean a defensemans job is to primarily play defense, blocking shots could also show that Carlson plays on both ends of the ice and isn’t as weak defensively as some posters make Carlson out to be.
 

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