The most underrated defensemen in the NHL

[hirawl]

I feel like it could very well be Olli Maatta.

 

[SladeWilson23]

Luke Hughes

 

[UED]

sort by total points, now do it again, so it sorts in reverse order, filter that for + players

there's your list

you can even adjust it for most overrated instead, just do the opposite!

 

[Elvs]

From the Ducks it's gotta be Brian Dumoulin. I think many people assume he's washed up because he's 33 and is no longer in a top 4 role with a contending Penguins anymore. But the way he's playing this year, ironically he would be useful to the Pens if he was still there. He's been the Ducks most stable defenceman so far and could definitely still help a contender in a #4 role.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Lane Hutson

 

[Doothpick]

Gonna give a little plug for Niko Mikkola here. He's probably not the most underrated defenseman in December 2024, but he had a case at this time last year. When the Panthers signed him, we were told by Blues, Rangers, and other fans that Mikkola was at best a replacement level bottom pair guy who gets minutes because of his size.

This was immeadiately shown to be false. Mikkolas was a 3D caliber guy from the first game. He has a lot of tools and a high hockey IQ. Florida fans were worried when Weegar, Forsling, and Montour were all promoted up the lineup over the years, but nobody had any qualms about tasking Mikkola with leading the second pair in 2024-25.

I thought the same thing watching Panthers last season. He's come a long way and I am happy for his, and Panthers' success.

 

[crowi]

Mikkola was out there game 7 last minutes. He is clearly a very trusted player that plays a simple game. Good call.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Zach Werenski? Dobson?

 

[Doothpick]

Mikkola was out there game 7 last minutes. He is clearly a very trusted player that plays a simple game. Good call.

I'll expect him to anchor second pair for Finland in the upcoming national team matches. Tall task, but maybe he'll be up for it.

 

[mphmiles]

For a while it was Tanev, but I think everyone knows how good he is, now.

I'd probably go with Jonas Brodin.

 

[VistamarCroissants]

This must be Luke Schenn

 

[Bitter Clinger]

Brodin and it's not close

 

[TheWayToRefJose]

Homer pick:

Jake Walman has been an absolute stud in SJ. 19 points in 23 games(16 5v5). Surprisingly solid in the D zone. Tied for the team in +/- by a decent amount over #2 guy. 52.4% corsi, +8.2 corsi relative, 100.9 PDO, positive xGF%. Doesn’t look like he’s due for regression.

Insanity we got PAID a 2nd to take him. He’s easily the most underrated D man in Stevie Ys rankings.

 

[BlueDream]

Everyone knows how good Parayko is though. Just because he isn't ranked in the top 20 or 30 doesn't mean he is the most underrated.

Nah, there’s some advanced stats people like Dom who literally rank Parayko as among one of the 5 worst contracts in the league, which is crazy. A lot of people read that stuff and think he fell off, when in reality he just gets insanely hard usage and doesn’t get much help on the Blues. But he’s definitely still a legit shutdown guy.

 

[eramosat]

Travis Sanheim is creeping up...

 

[Ace of Hades]

Hronek at this rate

 

[Sports123]

Orlov and it's not even close. He is not even mentioned in this thread while leading the league +/-

 

[izzy]

nice to see in this page alone 2 blues LHD draft picks while suter and leddy log the most minutes for the blues left side